Page 36 of A Pizza My Heart

I grab the drinks and swing her way. “He isnotmy man.”

“Ha! I knew getting you on the defense would work!”

She grabs my shoulders, knowing I can’t try to wiggle my way out of her grasp unless I want to spill soda all over the place and draw attention to us.

“Now,” she says, “let’s talk about that jealous tone in your voice.”

Jealous—me? Over Foster? Puh-lease.

“It’s not jealousy, Drew. It’s me being exhausted and crabby and not wanting to closeagaintonight. I need a nap and a stiff drink, in that order.”

“You want a breakfast beer?”

“A breakfast beer would beamazing. Or an anytime beer. I just need a break.”

She stares at me, struggling to get a good read.

I sigh, my aggravation level rising. “I promise, Drew, I amnotjealous of Foster’s date. MaybeofFoster because he’sactuallydating, but not his date. I’m not interested in him at all.”

She lifts her brows. “Why not? He’s hot as hell and he clearly likes you.”

“Likes me? What are you going on about?”

“He’salwaystalking to you, leaning toward you. He has a thing for sure.”

“Are you on crack cocaine? Because I thought we talked about how drugs are bad.”

Her turn to roll her eyes. “Oh come on. Youhaveto see it.”

“All I see is a dude who has known a girl since they were both in middle school. We’ve been friends for thirteen years now, Drew—half our lives. There is absolutelynothingromantic about our relationship, not on either side.”

She shakes her head and purses her lips, not believing a word I’m saying. “Right. Sure. Whatever you say.”

“Dude, I’m serious,” I insist. “There is nothing there. I don’t have those kinds of feelings for him. He’s like a freakin’ brother to me.”

“A hot brother who is not even kind of remotely blood-related, which makes him completely bangable,” she pushes. “But okay.”

Drew walks away, not believing a word I’m saying, which is absurd.

Sure, Foster is easy on the eyes, but do I havefeelingsfor him?

That’s ridiculous. Impossible. Nonsensical.

Foster has never been anything but a friend to me. We grew up together. He’s practically family. Ican’thave feelings for him, and because I can’t, that means there is no way I can be jealous of his date.

It makes no sense.

I shake off Drew’s unwarranted skepticism and deliver their drinks to the table. They’re so wrapped up in their conversation they don’t even notice me.

Cool. Good. Fantastic.

I smile, pleased as punch they’re hitting it off as I make my way to my next table.

I take a step and feel it again, that pinch.

Grabbing at my stomach, I look down and frown.

If I’m so happy, why is that stupid heavy feeling back?

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