Page 12 of When Fate Breaks
Blake freezes, eyes searching my face that is currently displaying the smuggest of smiles.
“You’re evil,” he says.
“All three of your resolutions, knocked out at once,” I say. “Just gotta eat the pizza.”
Things outside on the streets suddenly become more chaotic. Loud voices boom in the distance “9!...8!...7!…”
I glance up at the TV on the wall showing the ball getting ready to drop. When I look back at Blake, he is holding the slice of pineapple pizza in his hand. He nods towards my plate, prompting me to pick up my half.
“Well, here goes nothing,” he says, holding his slice out in the way you would a drinking glass you are about to toast.
“2!...1!”
The sky outside lights up, cheers boom through the streets, and all of the TVs in Angelo’s flash with colors.
I tap the crust of my pizza to Blake’s. “Cheers,” I say.
“Happy New Year, Evangeline.”
3
PRESENT DAY
“Yes, please. Two large pepperonis and one medium with extra pineapple. Yep, that’ll do–Hey!” I break off, nearly dropping my phone, shivers running down my spine as lips brush against my neck. Long arms wrap around my waist, pulling me backwards into a hard chest. I catch a blur of dirty blonde hair in my peripheral vision as teeth graze my earlobe, making me giggle.
“Would you stop?” I hiss. Remy only chuckles in response, continuing on with his distraction. “Oh, no! Sorry, not you!” I say, shoving him off when the very confused pizza delivery man’s voice breaks through the line. “Yes, that’s all. An hour? Perfect. Thanks so much.”
I hang up the phone, pushing lightly at Remy’s shoulder. “You’re the worst.”
“I’m thebest,” he declares, pulling me back in by my wrist, my hands landing on his shoulders as I crash into him and he plants a kiss on my forehead. “But I do have some bad news.”
My gaze falls to my hands, just having realized he’s wearing a suit jacket. That always means the same thing. Nerves immediately work their way into my stomach. “You have to work?”
Remy’s hands come up to cup my face, a frown pulling at his lips as he nods. “Chuck needs me to come with him. Gotta have a good cop for the wholegood cop, bad copsales pitch to work.”
“And you can’t go tomorrow? Or at least just later this evening?”
Remy shakes his head, brushing his lips once to mine before turning to grab a water bottle from the fridge. “I’m sorry, babe. I know it’s last minute, but we have to jump on this. Gotta take the opportunities when they arise. You know how it is.”
“I know, but…we have to get Blake from the airport.” I run my hands over my crossed arms, suddenly feeling fidgety. “I was just about to come get you so we could head that way. It’ll take forty-five minutes, tops–”
“I’m really sorry, babe. Our meeting is in a half hour,” Remy says, grazing my arm as he brushes by me to grab his briefcase from the bench by the front door, stopping to adjust his tie in the hallway mirror.
“But…Blake…I– Don’t you want to meet him?” I stammer.
“I’ll meet him tonight. And from what you said he’ll be here for at least a week or two. That gives us plenty of time.” He looks away from the mirror to meet my gaze. “Are you okay, Apple Jacks?”
I lean awkwardly against the kitchen island, trying my best to look casual despite the fact that my heart is currently doing backflips in my chest. “Yeah, babe. I– I’m good. I just– I ordered you a pizza and it’s going to be cold by the time you get back.”
Remy chuckles, walking back to brush a kiss against my temple before heading out the door. “It’ll be fine, babe. I can reheat it.” He pauses in the doorway, looking back to me. “You said this guy was your friend, right?”
“Well…yes.”
“Then this should be even better. Take some time to catch up before you bring him back here to fix up that old rickety greenhouse you formed such attachment to overnight–”
“I always liked the greenhouse,” I interrupt him, my face heating.
“Whatever you say, babe. See you tonight. Love you,” Remy calls over his shoulder, shaking his head with a grin before closing the door behind him.
