Page 18 of Drunk Dialing My Enemy

She smiles sheepishly.

“Now I know that can’t be true. Dolly’s Diner makes the best fried chicken.”

“This puts Dolly’s to shame,” I say, shaking my head. I clear my plate in about two seconds.

“There’s more on the counter,” Katie says, gesturing to the little counter not far from our tiny table. I don’t even have to stand up to get the rest, placing it on the table between us.

“You’re the full package,” I declare. “All of this and you can cook, too.”

She shakes her head.

“You’ve always eaten your food like there’s not going to be more tomorrow,” she says with a smile.

“Does it bother you?” I ask her with a frown.

“No. Definitely not. Actually I kind of like it.”

“Why?”

“Because,” she looks down, her cheeks going pink. “I never have to worry about eating more than you.”

“Why would that matter?”

“Oh, Darren,” she shakes her head. “It doesn’t. It shouldn’t. But when you’re the big girl all your life, it feels like everyone’s watching your habits.”

“I don’t give a shit how much you eat, Katie. I’ve never watched you eat.”

Except to get turned on.

“I know,” she smiles. “I think that’s why it’s so comfortable to be with you. It’s always been that way. I can eat until I’m full and not wonder if it’s too much. You’re always eating three times as much as I am. And you’re bigger than me, too. I like that.”

“I like that, too.”

I finish my food, filled to contentment. Katie’s eating considerably slower than me, which means I’ve got nothing to do but watch.

And Idowatch.

She smiles at me.

“You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”

“What?” I ask innocently.

“Watching me eat,” she says. “And giving me that look.”

“What look?”

But I know exactly what the fuck she’s talking about.

“Thatfuck melook.”

I grin.

“You recognize that look, do you?”

“On you, I think I’m starting to,” she says. Then she puts down her fork, looking at me boldly. “And I’m ready, Darren.”

CHAPTER 9

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