Page 47 of A Slice of Love

Now that I have him in front of me, I have no idea what I want to say.

Not that I wanted to say anything to begin with.

I think, maybe, I just missed him.

“So…”

“So…” he echoes.

“Can I have my pizza?”

“Right.” Jonas pulls open the insulated bag and slides out my pie with ease. “I suppose that is technically why I’m here.”

“Technically?”

“I saw your name come up on the board and I paid Brad to take it.”

“You paid him? Isn’t that sort of counterproductive on your part since you work for tips?”

“Well, yeah, but I’m me.” His grin turns cocky. “I’ll make up for it.”

I should have known that’d be the case. I’m certain the local pizzeria, which is already mega-popular, has seen a big boom in business withtheJonas Schwartz back in town. Everyone loves their local celebrity too much not to roll the dice to see if he’ll deliver.

Jonas seems a little embarrassed to be back here and not in the NFL, but his hometown is eating it up in the best of ways.

“Why did you want to take it?”

He raises his brows. “Is that a serious question?”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I knew the answer.”

“Because I wanted to see you, Frank.”

My heart swells at his confession.

“Today was my first day back this week and I was secretly watching the board all night to see if your address would pop up.”

“First day back?”

He nods. “I had some meetings with my agent and doctor upstate.”

“Any news on your recovery?”

It would be subtle to most, but being somebody who watched Jonas every day for an entire school year, I see a spark in his eye.

“There’s improvement, but I’m not quite ready for the field just yet.”

“Improvement is good though.”

“It definitely is.”

He shifts around, like he’s uncomfortable with the conversation.

Or just tired of standing there holding my pizza.

“Here. Let me take that.”

He pulls the box back. “Not so fast. This is my bargaining chip.”

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