Page 83 of Manhattan Kiss

“How was work?” he asks.

“Good,” I say. Should I tell him about Avril and Poppy’s offer of the manager position? It was part of my week. A big part of my week.

“Good?” he says. “What was good about it?”

“Well, occupancy is up. And it’s staying consistent. Avril and Poppy seem to want to expand, which will create opportunities.” I try to sound casual.

“Expand? Like how does that work?”

“They want to open a hotel in Boston.”

He fixes me with a look. “Boston? Why Boston?”

“I think they used to have a hotel there. Or their brother did or something.”

“Oh, yes, Worth Huntingdon.”

“You know their brother?”

“Not well. We’ve rubbed shoulders at various events. New York is a big city and it’s a small city. Is Worth involved in the hotel?”

“Not in the management of it, but I think he has a share or something.”

The buzzer interrupts our conversation, and before I can move, Deacon jumps to his feet. He comes back with a tower of pizza boxes.

“I didn’t know what you’d like, so I ordered a selection.”

“You’re crazy.” I go and grab us some drinks and napkins from the kitchen. “Do you want any condiments—scratch that. I don’t have any condiments.” I feel like I’ve barely been in this apartment. I’ve either been working, with Deacon, or exploring New York.

“What do you fancy?” Deacon asks. “We have margarita, all the meats⁠—”

“Actually, I have very specific requirements when it comes to my pizza toppings,” I say, as I sit down next to Deacon. Our thighs and arms touch as he leans forward and flips open a box.

“Tell me about your specific requirements. Do you like meat, Aurora?” He wiggles his eyebrows at me.

“I like your meat,” I say, and he chuckles. “But not on my pizza.”

“Yeah, that would be…weird and alarming.”

“I like peppers,” I say.

“Oh, you’re a veggie girl.”

“Not generally, but yes, when it comes to my pizza, I’m all about the vegetables. For health reasons.”

He laughs and shuffles through the boxes, pulling one out from the bottom and placing it on top. “Yeah, that teaspoonful of vegetables on your pizza is further proof that it’s good for you.” He opens the box. “Here. Peppers. Just for you.” He pulls out a slice and holds it up to my lips, like he’s going to feed me.

All of a sudden I feel self-conscious. I sweep the feeling away and take a bite and try not to laugh at the way he’s staring at me eat.

“Jesus, you’re even sexy eating pizza,” he says as I chew.

I shake my head and swallow. “No one’s sexy eating pizza.”

He pulls out a slice of the same veggie pizza for himself. “If that’s true, you’re the exception to that rule.” He pauses. “But that’s par for the course for you.” He takes a bite of his slice.

I narrow my eyes, trying to make sense of what he just said. “What’s par for the course for me?”

He shrugs. “I’ve never introduced Willow to anyone before. Never sat and eaten pizza with a girl since university. I’ve never… I don’t know.”