Page 16 of Adorkable

Remembering his safer than safe driving, I thought quickly. “You go on. I think I’m going to stop by Paula’s for a slice. They stay open late whenever there’s a midnight release.”

“But how will you get home?”

“I’ll catch a ride.” I shooed him toward his car. “Go ahead, I’ll be fine.”

“Alright, if you’re sure.” Austin took my hand again and kissed the back. “It was nice meeting you, Sally.”

“You too,” I said surprised.

On my way next door to Paula’s Pizzeria, I reviewed the events of the night. Chaz had been a complete bust, but Austin was okay. Why couldn’t I just go for someone sweet like him? I mean, sure, he was a little nuts, telling me he loved me after only one date, but there were worse things. As I watched him still navigating oh so slowly through the near-empty parking lot, though, I knew it would’ve never worked.

I liked to drive fast, five miles over the speed limit at least, and Austin was a by the rules kind of guy. If I ever got behind the wheel, I was sure he’d have a coronary. And I wasn’t sure I could date someone who preferred Justice League over Rogue and her crew. That right there was the definition of incompatibility.

Paula met me at the door. “Hey, Sally. Oooh that hair should come with a warning: Large and in charge and too hot to handle. You go girl, never knew you had it in you. What’ll it be?”

“Water and a slice of pepperoni with pineapple, please.” I smiled as she led me to my usual table. “Thanks, Paula.”

“Sure thing, sweetie.”

A few moments later, Becks came out with my water and plate, set them down and sat across from me. The first thing he said was “What’s with the hair?”

“Just trying something different,” I replied. “You like it?”

He shrugged. “It’s cool. So how was the movie? Was it as mind-blowingly awesome as it looked in the trailer?”

Figures Becks would be the only one to write off my so-called sex hair.

“Don’t know.” I popped a piece of pepperoni into my mouth. “It was kind of hard to pay attention.”

Becks smiled. “Well, this sounds interesting.”

“Don’t you have to get back to work?”

“Nope.” He untied his apron and laid it in front of him on the table. “I’m officially off the clock. Spill it, Sal.”

By the time I was through, Becks was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes.

“Chaz Neely?” he said, breathless. “What was Lillian thinking? That guy is such a tool.”

“Yeah, I know.” In my re-telling, I’d left out the frigid bit. Partly because it was embarrassing and partly because I didn’t think Becks would find it funny. At all. Standing, I asked, “Could you drop me off? I didn’t want to go with Austin, thought it’d be kinda weird.”

Still grinning, Becks stood as well. “Yeah, like the most awkward car ride ever. He really likes Justice League over the X?”

I shrugged.

“The guy is either seriously deluded or straight-up crazy,” he said. “My vote’s for crazy. He really told you he loved you? That’s just ridiculous.”

“Gosh, Becks,” I said, masking my hurt with sarcasm, “I’m so happy I told you.”

“Ah, Sal, you know what I meant.”

“You really know how to make a girl feel special.”

“Never had any complaints before.”

I went to stalk past him, but slipped on a wet patch instead, wincing as my ankle rolled. With cat-like reflexes, Becks’s arms shot out to catch me. If he hadn’t been so close, I would’ve definitely faceplanted. Knocking out a few front teeth would’ve been a perfect end to this crapshoot of an evening.

“You okay?” Becks said.

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