Page 59 of Second Best Again
She smirked, propping herself on one elbow. "Bit dramatic, don't you think?"
"Dramatic? Sage, it'sfruit. Sweet, drippy fruit on top o' molten cheese an' tomato. It's no' dinner; it's dessert that's lost its way." He shook his head as if personally offended. "Next thing ye'll tell me somebody puts bananas on it."
"Ugh." Sage shuddered. "Don't give anyone ideas. And just to be clear, a tomato is a fruit."
"You are joking?" His eyes narrowed in mock disgust. "Some lunatic has probably tried Nutella."
She made a face. "Okay, I'll admit, that's a horrific idea. But what about something like...figs? Or pear with blue cheese?"
He tilted his head, pretending to think it over. "Hmm. Figs, maybe. Pear, aye, I'd give that a go. But ye mention marshmallows, an' I'm leavin'."
She laughed so hard she had to cover her mouth with the sheet. "Fine. No marshmallows. Ever."
Euan leaned in close, his grin wicked. "Good. 'Cause I'd much rather eat somethin' else..."
Her cheeks burned, but she was still grinning. "You're like a horny toad."
"Aye," he said, unabashed. "But at least I've got proper taste in pizza."
Chapter 42
The three of them sat cross-legged on the living room floor, pizza boxes spread open like treasure chests. The smell of melted cheese and garlic butter thickened the air. David immediately staked his claim on the chicken and mushroom with jalapeños, Euan piled his plate with a monstrous slice that hadeverythingon it, and Sage scavenged a little from both, enjoying the freedom of picking without choosing.
Conversation began, of course, with the latestElden Ringpatch notes.
"This update's a joke," David said seriously, waving a slice of pizza for emphasis. "They've nerfed Rivers of Blood again. Totally unplayable now."
"They had tae," Euan countered, chewing around a mouthful of everything-on-it pizza. "Folk were runnin' through bosses like it was nothin'. No balance at all."
Sage raised a brow, glancing between them. "You two sound like you're discussing a will and testament, not a video game."
"It is life and death," David shot back, then reached for another slice.
From there, the conversation spiralled into football.
"Everton's finally turning it around," David declared, chest puffed up with loyalty.
"Everton?" Euan groaned. "Nae chance. Arsenal's got the form this season. Ye cannae even argue it."
David leaned in, chin set stubbornly. "Want to bet?"
Euan smirked, setting his pizza down so he could gesture properly. "Tell ye what, lad, forget the Premier League. Ye want tae see real football? Highland League. Brora Rangers, Fraserburgh—proper grit, nae preening."
Sage laughed into her drink as David blinked at him. "Highland League?"
"Aye," Euan said with the gravity of a prophet. "Best football ye'll ever watch. Tell ye what, we'll go. I'll take ye both north. Make a trip of it."
David nodded slowly, caught up despite himself. "Alright. Sounds epic."
Sage shook her head at the pair of them, indulgence softening her smile. "And am I involved in any of these life decisions."
Both looked shamefaced for a second.
Sage never expected them to get along—truthfully, she had been dreading broaching the subject of Euan to David. But apparently, all you needed was an internet connection and an Xbox to bridge the gap. Her cheeks carried a new, permanent brightness, enough that David had teased her about it earlier. She felt ten pounds lighter somehow, her thighs sticking together or her love handles no longer an issue. It was as though the hunger in Euan's eyes just made her feel more beautiful. Even her hair, streaked with silver because she refused to colour, felt silkier. She tugged it out of its messy bun, letting it fall over her shoulder.
Euan's attention derailed instantly, eyes caught on her like a moth to a flame.
David had to snap his fingers in front of him and change the subject to the latestFortniteupdate just to pull him back into the conversation. Sage bit back a laugh, a secret smile playing at the corner of her lips as she remembered their conversation earlier.
