Page 49 of A Whirlwind of Color (The Light to My Darkness 2)

“It’s still open. But we could go somewhere a little fancier if you want. Iron Hill maybe?”

“But I love Grottos. They have the absolute best pizza. And what’s better than pizza when you’ve been drinking?”

He smiled. “Grottos it is then.”

Chapter 19

Saturday

I was wrong before. Drinking away your sorrows worked wonders. Not one thought of unborn babies entered my mind. Nor did the prospect of never having children. I just felt good. So good.

“My arms are so heavy,” I said with a laugh. “Do your arms get super heavy when you drink too? I think all the liquid must go straight to my biceps.” I turned my arm to examine my muscle and accidentally poured some of my drink on the table. I stifled a laugh. “Party foul!”

“You’ve had way too much to drink.” Brendan grabbed my glass away from me.

“No I haven’t. We only just got here.”

“We’ve been here for over an hour. And by the way, you promised you’d call James.”

“But I don’t have his number.”

He tapped the napkin in front of me. “I wrote it down for you as soon as we got here. Remember?”

“Huh. No.” I lifted it up and examined it. “I don’t remember and I also don’t like numbers that start with anything other than a 302 area code. I’m not calling this stupid New York City number.”

“Penny, you pinky promised.”

“I did?”

“You did. Twice.”

“I think two promises cancel each other out. It’s a fact. It’s not my fault you don’t understand the rules.”

“No way.” He handed me his phone. “Call him. Before I do.”

“He’ll know I borrowed your phone. He’ll recognize your number. I need to use a payphone.”

“There are no pay phones anymore. At least, not that I know of.”

“There used to be one here…” I looked over my shoulder. Hadn’t there been? It was one of maybe three on campus. Where are you, elu

sive payphone?

“Penny, that was a long time ago.”

I sighed. “Well I can’t call him on your phone. I revoke my offer to call him. No deal.”

“I’ll be right back. Don’t move, okay?”

I didn’t agree, but I didn’t plan on moving anyway. As soon as he left, I pulled my drink back to my side of the table. It turned out that Brendan was a little bossy too, just like James. James, James, James. Why did I keep thinking about him? I leaned down to put my straw in my mouth, but missed completely. The straw hit my cheek. Ow. I laughed and tried again.

Did James and I ever come here? We must have. I loved Grottos. Still did. Always would. It was the best pizza on the planet, and no one could tell me any differently. I grabbed another slice and took a huge bite. Cheesy, delicious perfection. I sighed.

“Here,” Brendan said and tossed a cell phone down on the table in front of me. “Now you can make that call you promised you’d make.”

“Whose phone is that?”

“I borrowed it from the bartender.”

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