Awkward in October: A Grumpy Sunshine Romantic Comedy (Bookish Romantics Book 1) by Teresa Yea

Author:Teresa Yea [Yea, Teresa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Broken E Publishing
Published: 2022-09-13T04:00:00+00:00

chapter twenty-seven

We’re hit with the mouthwatering aroma of marinara sauce, warm gooey cheese, and garlic the moment we set foot inside Witch City Pizzeria.

The restaurant is packed for lunch.

Servers dressed in head to toe black zigzag between tables and the open kitchen where the chefs sling dough and slide pizzas into the many industrial wood-fire ovens behind them.

Carter requests an outside table where we can watch people in costumes march by.

I’m already suspicious when we're shown our table.

Red and white checkered tablecloth?

A tea candle?

A vase with a single red rose?

This looks like the setup to a romantic Italian dinner.

It’s not until the server hands me the menu and I glance at the pizza options that I know something is up.

Pear and gorgonzola?

Neapolitan with handmade mozzarella fired in a wood oven? Black truffle drizzle? When Carter suggested we get pizza, I thought he meant sharing a medium pepperoni pizza at Domino’s. This was fancy pizza. Prosciutto instead of pepperoni. San Marzano tomatoes instead of canned tomato sauce.

“Are you sure you want to eat here?” I peer at Carter over my menu. “This is a four-dollar sign place according to Yelp. There’s a McDonald’s down the street.”

A casual shrug. “When in Rome,” he says, peering at his menu. “Do you want appetizers? We can start with garlic bread and… stuffed mushrooms? A Caprese salad?”

When in Rome?! Appetizers?! This coming from a guy who gave me instant coffee?

“We can share a pizza,” I offer.

Carter takes a sip of water, oblivious to my surprise. “How about we order two and split it family style?”

Whew. Okay. That sounds like Carter. Two pizzas. Leftovers for tonight.

The server drops by and asks if we’re interested in seeing the wine menu.

“No, we — ”

“Yes, please,” Carter says.

I almost fall out of my seat. Now I know aliens from outer space have abducted Carter and reprogramed his brain.

“Do you like red or white?” Carter asks. “I guess that depends on the pizza. Why don’t we order a glass of each and — ”

“Whoa! Whoa! Stop! Time out. Who are you and what did you do to Carter?”

He frowns. “What do you mean?”

“Gourmet pizza? Appetizers? Wine?! The Carter I know would never blow this much money on lunch!”

He smiles at my outburst. “You’ve only known me for two weeks. I’m capable of splurging for special occasions.”

“Special occasions? This is lunch.”

“Lunch with a friend on vacation,” he says. “Also: lifestyle inflation.”

Are we friends?

“I’m hope you don’t think of me as just your indentured servant,” he adds, his eyes laughing at me over the table. “Seriously, don’t worry about the bill. I can afford it.”

“You’re paying?! I thought we were splitting.”

“You bought me coffee twice. I'm returning the favor.”

“But coffee isn’t fancy pizza and wine…” I stop talking and narrow my eyes. Carter rakes a hand through his hair. His gaze is fixed on the menu, but he isn’t reading a damn thing. His ears are red. There’s a scarlet streak down his left cheek. I nod in understanding. Oh, he’s good. He’s very good.

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