Crazy Imperfect Love (Dirty Dicks 2.50)

Hannah nods. “Tell her I’m sorry I couldn’t make it.”

“Shouldn’t you call her and tell her you can’t make it? And maybe mention that I’m coming in your place? You know, in case she wants to decline.”

“But that would ruin the surprise.”

“I’m not sure a surprise is what either of us needs right now.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. Trust me on this, okay? And then thank me later. Gotta go.”

She ends the call before I have a chance to respond. Ten minutes later I’m pulling up to Alfonzo’s Pizzeria, and twenty minutes after that I’m heading toward the address Hannah texted me.

I’m about a mile away when the neon lights of a local convenience store catch my attention. In a split-second decision, I pull the wheel to the right and make another stop—one I hope will put a giant smile on Abigail’s face.

Chapter 3

Abby

There’s a soft knock at the door, and I look at the clock. Hannah and I didn’t set an exact time, but she said she’d come by after her shift, which ended over an hour ago. Dropping the screwdriver to the floor, I walk across the small apartment and swing open the front door.

“What took you so lo…?” I say, my words trailing off when I see Drake standing in my doorway instead of Hannah. “Where’s Hannah?”

“She said to tell you she’s sorry, but she had to work late.”

“So, she sent you instead?” Thank you, Hannah.

Drake holds up a pizza and nods. “I come with provisions. Are you going to invite me in?”

I cross my arms over my chest. “That depends,” I say. “What kind of pizza did you bring?”

“Only the best kind. Pepperoni and bacon.”

I snatch the box from his hands and all but sprint to the kitchen. I hear the front door shut behind me, and I assume Drake has followed, but I don’t turn around to find out. I flip open the cardboard box, and my stomach growls at the sight in front of me.

Drake laughs. “Hungry?”

“Starving. I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

He looks at his watch and furrows his brow. “It’s almost eight-thirty at night.”

“I’m aware,” I say, placing a hand over my stomach when it growls again.

Drake pushes the pizza toward me. “What are you waiting for? Dig in.”

Forgoing a plate, I pull a square from the box. The gooey cheese explodes in my mouth, and I moan. “This is amazing.”

I take another bite, this time closing my eyes, but when Drake clears his throat, they pop back open.

My cheeks heat as I realize how I must’ve sounded. “Sorry,” I mumble, swallowing my bite of food.

“I never thought I’d get turned on by watching a woman eat.”

“You’re turned on right now?”

“Incredibly.” Drake takes a step forward. “You’ve got a little something…” He raises his hand, inches away from my face, and for a moment I think he’s going to use the pad of his thumb to wipe away whatever he sees.

My heart beats faster, but he lowers his hand and takes a step back. Stupid, hopeful heart.

Instead, he points to the side of my mouth. “You have some sauce.”