Page 28 of A Slice of Love

“Yes. Ignoring Jonas and pretending he doesn’t exist is most definitely the best play.”

“You trying to convince me of that or yourself?”

“If I wasn’t so in love with this pizza, I’d throw it at you.”

“I doubt that. Besides, I’m leaving—need to get started on that project for Barry.”

Ah, good old Barry, chief executive of Allen Illustrations where Julian and I both work. I’m in the design department and he’s with the writers. The medium Julian settled on is the written word, and he’s damn good at it.

He pushes himself off the couch, standing over me, hands on his hips.

I stare up at him, a slice of my pie hanging from my mouth. “Can I help you?”

With the reflexes of a cat, he snatches two slices from the box in my lap and holds them up in victory.

“Ha! Sucker!”

“What the heck! You pizza thief! That’s a felony!”

“Oh really?” He raises a brow at me. “Stealing pizza is a felony? How so?”

“Well, it’s not technically, but it should be because pizza is the most priceless thing on our planet. Besides, how are you going to drive and eat two slices of pizza at the same time? You don’t have enough hands.”

“Like this.” Julian slaps the two slices together, cheese side in, and takes a huge bite out of his creation. “See?”

“That’s genius, but I still hate you for stealing my pizza. Be gone, you thief!”

Rolling his eyes, he leans down and smacks a loud kiss to my cheek. “I’ll see you later,Frank.”

My eyes narrow to slits.

“What?” he questions, backing away toward the door. “I can’t call you that, but Jonas can?”

Yes.“No.”

“Uh-huh. Sure.”Another wink. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“It’s Monday, so I guess so.”

“Don’t forget the donuts. It’s your turn.”

“Ugh.” I groan. “That means I’ll have to get up early.”

“It’s for donuts—it’s worth it.”

“For you.” I shake the pizza at him. “I had breakfast plans already.”

“I’m sorry, but you were going to have leftovers and youstillweren’t going to offer me any pizza?”

“Nope.”

“I don’t know if I should be mad and say you’re the worst best friend ever, or if I should let you see my boner right now.”

“Julian!” I grab whatever’s sitting next to me on the table and chuck it his way.

He blocks the coaster effortlessly with his meaty paw that could double as a glove. “Ha! Missed.”

“Get out!”

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