Page 10 of A Pizza My Heart

It’s fair to say I’m wary of anyone without roots.

“Are you here for long?”

“Just two weeks before I have to head back and start summer school.”

“Summer school?”

“Yep.” Her mouth pops dramatically around the P. “Someone partied a bit too hard their freshman year and is now behind. If I want to graduate on time, I need to make up the credits.”

Credits…summer school…

More bells sound and my stomach fills with dread as I look closely at her.

She looks young in person, but she did in her LustStruck photos too. I brushed that aside at the time, wanting to give her a chance. I don’t exactly look like I’m divorced, unemployed, and sleeping on my best friend’s couch, but here I am.

But…she looks a littletooyoung, and her blasé answers aren’t sitting right with me.

If there’s one thing I learned from a dysfunctional marriage I knew wouldn’t last from the moment I saidI do, it’s to always follow your gut.

My gut says something is off here.

I lean toward her. She matches the movement, thinking I’m flirting.

I’m not.

“How old are you, Natasha?” I steel my gaze, eyes boring into hers, hoping she’ll give it to me straight.

Her eyes widen, nostrils flare.

It’s brief, but the hesitation is there…enough to tell me what I want to know.

Not suspecting I’m onto her game, she flits her long red hair over her shoulder. “Old enough.”

Ah, the classic non-answer that answers everything.

Translation: she’s way too fucking young to be on this date with me.

Under my scrutiny, Natasha’s false bravado wavers and she squirms around in her chair, eyes darting every way but at mine.

“Natasha?” I push, not taking my penetrating gaze off her.

“I’m legal, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

And there it is—exactly what Ididn’twant to hear.

“Are you still in…high school?”

“Yes.” It’s whispered. “But I’m a senior!” she rushes to add. “I’m nineteen. I got held back when I was younger. I’mverymature for my age.”

I lean back in my seat, getting as far away from her as possible like a cop is going to slap cuffs on me just for being near her.

Sure, she’s legal.

But I’m seven years her senior.

She’s a fuckingteenager.

“Did you need a kid’s menu, Foster?”

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