Page 152 of The Reason I Married Him
“Uh, given my popularity with the town and my food choices, I think you should know that by now. By the way, did I tell you that By the Slice is going to design a pizza around me, name it after me, and even suggest a dipping sauce for the crust?”
I have a carrot midway to my mouth when I stop. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope,” he says, his chest puffed, fully proud of himself.
“How the hell did you manage that?”
“I’m telling you, those bear claws and cherry pies are selling like hotcakes, and the other proprietors want a piece of this popularity. I’m going to be doing a taste-test with Keesha later this week. I was trying to come up with a cool name for it. I was thinking something simple like The Wyatt, but then I thought it would be cool to call it The Thriller Killer, presented by W.J. Preston. Has more of a posh ring to it, don’t you think?”
“The fact that you’ve put this much thought into it really annoys me.”
“Why?” he asks as he wipes his mouth with a napkin. “Envious?”
“Perhaps,” I admit. “You’ve been in town for two seconds. The Rowleys have been here all our lives, and we are a staple in Almond Bay with The Almond Store. We should have something named after us.”
“Do you have something named after Keesha?” he asks.
“No, are you naming something after her?”
“Dedicating my next book to her and plan on having the detective take her namesake.”
“You’re lying.”
“Nope. Have it all written out. She’s thrilled.”
“Wow.” I shake my head and pick up a buffalo wing. “You really have stuck your head up the town’s ass, haven’t you?”
He smirks. “Yes, but if it makes you feel better, I’ve stuck my head up your ass the furthest.”
I press my hand to my heart. “That is one of the most beautiful things you’ve ever said to me.”
“I know.” He winks, and I just continue to shake my head at him.
“When does this show start?”Wyatt asks as he looks down at his watch.
“In about twenty minutes. They like to get people fed before they start anything. That way, the waitstaff isn’t constantly moving in front of everyone.”
“Makes sense.”
Hattie turns around on the couch and leans on the top as she talks to us. “Did you get the potato skins?”
“What do you think?” I ask.
“Hayes was moaning over them over here.”
“Can you not say moaning?” Hayes asks, making her chuckle.
She cups his face and says, “Those were the sounds you make in the bedroom.”
“Trust me, I’d take you over the potato skins any day.”
“That’s what I told Aubree,” Wyatt says. “She didn’t believe me.”
Brody turns around as well and says, “I’d take the potato skins. Sorry, Maggie.”
Maggie turns as well and addresses all of us. “He’s only saying that because I told him I’d marry their boneless buffalo wings over him earlier. He’s salty.”
“Not as salty as those fries.” Brody makes a chef’s kiss. “They were spectacular. Who knew a burlesque club would have such good food.”
