Page 16 of From the Embers

I shake my head. “I’m not going there.”

“Just admit she’s cute and that you can’t take your eyes off her,” Brax pushes. “Then we’ll let it drop. For now.” He mutters the last part.

I sigh. “Are you really gonna make me do this? Can’t we just drink in peace?”

“Brax makes a good point. Maybe once you admit it, you’ll feel better about eying off Daryl’s baby sister.”

Highly unlikely. “She’s an attractive woman, alright. Happy?”

“More than.” Brax holds his palms up in a show of surrender. Maybe it’s to his own pressing questions, but why do I feel a little annoyed that they’ve both clearly noticed Adi is attractive? Is it my defense mechanism kicking in because I promised Daryl I’d look after her? Or could it just be a little more than I’m letting on…

Thankfully, the food buzzer goes off and gives me an exit to retrieve our pizza, and to clear my head. I also need to get Adi’s attention to let her know the food is ready. She said she hasn’t had a break all night, plus she should be finishing up soon. “Be right back.”

“Need a hand?” Eric asks.

“Nah, I’m good.” Luckily, I get in and out with our pizzas without any more unfortunate encounters with Hannah. I need her hanging around as much as I need a hole in the head. And why the fuck I told her I was here with someone makes me wanna slap myself. I thought it was the best way to get rid of her, so I guess it worked.

I manage to catch Adelaide’s eye and give her a come hither with the crook of my finger. “Dinner time?” I mouth.

“Sounds good.” She smiles. “I’ll just let Lorna know I’m taking a break.”

I grab a spare stool for her while she makes her way around and we get tucked into the two pies of pizza on wooden boards.

The pizza here is amazing, and wood-fired is my favorite. “Are you a pineapple on pizza girl?” I ask, to which Eric screws up his face.

She sidles onto the stool and laughs. “Yep, I’m all in.”

“I’ll steer clear of the Hawaiian then,” Eric mutters, who’s been doing more than his fair share of complaining tonight. “Gross.”

“Hold your horses, there’s a supreme meat lovers,” I say, but he’s already pulling a slice away, the mozzarella sheet stretching until he breaks it off with a huge bite.

“What about you?” Adi asks as she takes a sip of the wine I ordered. It has a light pink hue so I’m guessing it’s some kind of rose. “Are you a pineapple on pizza kinda guy?”

“Oh, I’ll eat just about anything.” I shrug. “Mom always said I had hollow legs, I guess nothing changes.”

A little smile dances over her lips that I can’t help but notice, and it makes me smile, too. “I guess it doesn’t.”

I motion to the pie in front of us and tell her to help herself. She does, grabbing a piece and taking a dainty bite. I pull a slice away, too, and take a large bite because, fuck me, I’m hungry. It really hits the spot and I down the rest of the slice without trying to look or sound like a hog.

“It’s the only time Brax is quiet,” I say in Adi’s ear.

She giggles and keeps taking small appreciative bites.

“Heard that,” he mutters. He’s like me and will eat pineapple, or just about anything else, on a pizza. I try to not let my mind wander about what else I consider a delicacy…

“I meant you to.” I grab a piece of the supreme and shove some into my mouth, but before I’ve stopped chewing I see a familiar blonde with her cut-out dress, sky-high heels and pouty lips.

“For fuck’s sake,” I mutter, swallowing my mouthful at the sight of Hannah bee-lining her way over here. Out of a sea of people she seems to have spotted me. I shouldn’t have expected telling her I have somebody new would stop her.

Adi glances at me. “What’s wrong?”

“My ex is heading over here. It’s a long story.” I don’t want the pizza to go cold, so I keep eating as I try to ignore her and not make eye contact. But when it appears she’s not going to divert, I run a hand over my chin.

“It usually is,” Adi replies.

“Please don’t pay too much attention to her or any of what she says.” I chagrin. Since I caught Adi watching us, I’m assuming she would’ve seen the unwanted display of affection. Or maybe just the part where she slid her arms around me. I don’t want her thinking there’s still something between us, or that it’s normal that she gets to touch me like that. It isn’t.

“In a nutshell she won’t leave me alone. For the record, we’re not a thing anymore, no matter what she says.” I need to make that clear because Hannah is the possessive type.