Page 88 of Victorious: Part I

“Oh, yes, please,” I reply.

She grins. “Okay, darlin’, follow me,” she chimes. However, somehow, I haven’t had the courage to look at Phoenix yet.

The server ushers us off and leans into my side as we walk. “Just a word from an ol’ woman who’s been married for twenty-four years to a man who held me like that before we officially started datin’. Sweetheart, that boy would walk over fire for you. You hold onto him. Men like that are hard to find,” she whispers in my ear, then pulls back, handing me the menus with a wink.

“All right, here’s your table. Y’all give me a holler when you’re ready. The name’s Carol.”

Smiling up at my new friend, I slide into the booth seat. “Thanks, Carol. Appreciate it.”

“Oh, and we have a special on milkshakes and curly fries today if you’re interested,” she states, then wanders off.

I pull my lips in tight, trying my hardest not to laugh, but Phoenix chuckles under his breath beside me. So, I finally find the courage to glance at him. “I mean, the universe is practically forcing us to get a milkshake and curly fries at this point.”

He chuckles. “We wouldn’t want to go against the universe.” He grins, picking up his menu and scanning it. Then, his face falls into what looks like horror. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“What’s wrong?”

He slowly places the menus back down on the table, shaking his head. “The burger is named after Buddy Holly?Buddy Holly!Fuck off.” He slides the menus across the table in mock disgust.

Smiling to myself, I nudge my shoulder into his. “Aww, it’ll be okay, Presley. When we get to Vegas, I’m sure there will be some weird Elvis-inspired food there for you.”

He slowly spins to face me. “Oh, no, thereisan Elvis item on the menu, Clo.” He reaches for the menu and dramatically points to it.

I glance down seeing the Jailhouse Rock Soup. Peering back up at him, I can’t help but giggle. “At least he’s on the menu.” I shrug.

“Soup?Soup! I wanted something disgusting I could order and then try it and be surprised at how much I actually liked it.”

“You really wanted a burger with peanut butter and jelly in it?” I ask, raising my brow.

He shrugs like it’s nothing. “Didn’t Elvis used to eat weird combos like that?”

“I don’t freaking know, you weirdo. But I’m kinda intrigued as to whyyouwant to, Phoenix. Are you pregnant?” I joke.

He scoffs at me, the smile returning to his face. “Hardy-fucking-har. No. I guess, with everything going on…” He rolls his eyes. “Forget it, it’s stupid.”

“Hey, talk to me. Whatever you’re thinking, it means something to you. That makes itnotstupid.” I throw his words back at him.

He exhales with an understanding nod, then continues, “It’s just with the shit going on with the club, and after meeting Luke and hearing his story, I want to try new things, even if it is fucking horrible. I don’t want to waste a second. I don’t want to miss out on anything. As I said, I’m just being stupid.” He turns away from me, looking out the window, but my heart races so fast I can barely breathe.

The thing is, it’s not stupid at all.

It makes perfect sense.

Letting out a long breath, I turn to face Carol and signal her over.

She hurries back, bringing her notepad with her, smiling as she approaches. “Y’all ready to order?” she asks with a bright smile.

Grinning, I pick up the menu. “Oh, yeah. I hope you’re ready, Carol, because we are hungry—”

“We are?” Phoenix questions.

Turning to him, I grin. “We don’t want to miss out on anything,” I simply tell him.

A fire lights behind his eyes, almost like I’m seeing Phoenix being reborn right before my very eyes. It’s a beautiful sight. His chest puffs out, and he tilts his head in acknowledgment.

“Clover’s right, Carol. We want two of everything you have on the menu. We wanna try it all.”

A slow smile crosses Carol’s lips as she places her paper and pen in her pocket. “You got it.” She leans down next to my ear, just so I can hear, and whispers, “Looks like you’d walk over fire for him too.” She pulls back, winking at me, then takes off to put in our order.

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