Page 22 of A Pizza My Heart

He faces me.

“No, Wren, Iloveyou.”

There’s something in his eyes, something that’s not quite the Foster I know.

He’s being weird.

Or maybe I’m imagining things because I’m so damn tired. I mean, it isfour in the morning and we have been discussing some serious-as-hell topics for far too many hours.

Yeah. That’s all it is. I’m just caught up in the moment.

I bump his shoulder with mine. “And I loveyou, Foster. You’re the best second big brother who sometimes goes home and isn’t always around to annoy me I’ve ever had.”

He grins, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

I tell myself it does.

“Quick—tell me what you’d do if you won a million dollars.”

Things go back to normal.

Is it just me or is Foster acting weird again? Like that night?

“Why isn’t anyone working? It’s Wednesday, so I know there isplentyto do.”

“Anyone? What are you going on about, you senile old fart? Everyone’s out on the floor. Everyone is—”

I pause.

Dammit.

“Ha! Very funny, Dad. By anyone you meanme.”

“Very astute, my little bird.” He tugs on my ponytail. “Now get out there. Foster, do I need to hand you an apron?”

“No, sir. I’m here for a date.”

I snap my head his way. “Another one?”

“Yep.”

“Where’d you find this one?”

His eyes narrow. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

A burst of laughter rushes out of me. He totally picked up another girl on LustStruck. “I can’t wait to see how this turns out.”

“At least he has a date.”

“Wow, Dad. Just throw me right under the bus on that one.”

He lifts a shoulder. “I’m just sayin’, kid. Been a long time since you went out.”

Yeah, because all I do is work for you when I’m not doing hair.

“We can’t all be Casanovas like you and Foster.”

My dad’s eyes widen, and his cheeks turn red. My guess about Beth is confirmed.