Page 34 of Playing to Win

“I’m just saying, you could do with losing a few pounds.”

“Was that supposed to be my voice? I don’t sound like that and your American accent is way off.”

“Whatever.”

“Ah, back to grown-up Izzy.” Someone might need to check me into AA at the end of these two weeks. “What’s your BMI?”

We work down my usual questions and move on to hers. My stomach is growling fiercely by the time there’s a knock on the door.

“Finally!” I offer Izzy my wallet as she gets up from the sofa.

“I’ve got this.”

I’m already laughing inside as she unlocks the door. “Mr. Adams. Extra-large meat supreme with extra chicken.”

My humor bursts from my gut when Izzy turns to me, white faced, her jaw dropped toward the floor.

She snatches the pizza and pays the delivery guy, all the while mumbling curse words, most of which I miss under the sound of my laughter.

She comes back to the sofa and thrusts the box at me. “Here, I would rather starve than eat that shit.”

“Oh, come on, don’t be such a baby. You’re already drinking beer and we don’t start this farce until tomorrow. Relax tonight. I imagine it’s for the first time in your life, anyway. Try it and see how it feels.”

I open the box on the coffee table. The smell of tomatoes, cheese, and pepperoni hits my nose. I take a slice and sit back with the point of the triangle in my mouth. “Oh my God, this is amazing.”

On a “Humph,” Izzy unfolds her legs from beneath her and leans in to take a slice. “I’ll eat your bloody pizza but only because I’m hungry. You’re a pig by the way. Chew your bloody food before talking to me.”

I’m laughing again, almost delirious. I loathe this woman. I hate her so much it’s hilarious.

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