Page 55 of The Playbook

I grinned at him. Enthusiastic fans always took me by surprise. I wasn’t quite sure what to even say, but he didn’t seem to care. He wished me luck, shot me a quick wave, and got back into his car, leaving me in the driveway. When I went back inside, I placed the pizzas and soda on the counter.

“Nice. I was wondering when the food would get here,” Garrett said, rubbing his palms together.

Noah opened one of the boxes and snagged a slice. “My portion for the pie is on the table,” he said before taking a bite.

“It’s all on the table.” Lana nodded to the money on the table.

“You guys keep it. My treat,” I said, grabbing my own slices and a plate. I frowned as Grace sat on the stool, not eating.

“You’re not hungry?” I asked softly as I moved next to her.

“Yeah, I mean, no. I don’t know.”

“Eat, Gracie. It’s really good.”

“Can I tell you a secret?” She looked up at me with her big, green eyes, and I immediately inclined my head toward her as I sat on the stool beside her.

Everyone else was talking and laughing.

“Tell me.”

“I really hate pepperoni.”

“What?” I raised my brows at her. “You hate pepperoni?”

She nodded, her nose wrinkled. “Yeah. I didn’t want anyone to have to place a special order for me, so I just didn’t say anything. Lana tried, but I didn’t want to ruin anything for everyone else.”

“So you admit that having no pepperoni ruins a pizza?”

Her lips quirked up. “You’re not funny.”

I grinned and plucked the pepperoni off one of my slices and offered it to her. “Here, I fixed it.”

She let out a soft laugh and shook her head. “Still has the juices on it.” She shuddered.

“Come on. Try it. I just ruined my slice for you.”

She giggled again. “Then put them back on it, weirdo.”

“Weirdo? You’re the one who won’t eat pepperoni.” I offered the slice again. “Come on. Do it. You know you want it.”

“Fine.” She reached out and took the pizza from me, giving me a sweet smile. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” I watched as she took a small bite and then another. “Not bad, huh?”

“Not too bad.” She smiled and went back to her food.

“Let’s watch something,” Noah called out. “We’ll turn it into a drinking game.”

Ryan and Garrett both laughed while Lana lifted a brow.

“We’re supposed to make ice cream sundaes,” she said.

“Ice cream is for breakfast. It’ll help with the hangover,” Noah said.

“I think you’re full of shit, but I’m game,” she said, popping the last bit of her pizza into her mouth. “Hot Tub Time Machine. That’s my vote.”

“Hell fucking yeah.” Noah grabbed the beer and started passing it out.

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