Business Casual (Lovelight, #4)

by B.K. Borison

“I don’t want pity pizza, Nova.” “It’s not pity pizza,” she responds. “It’s pepperoni pizza.” It’s a fight to keep the smile off my face. I wish she wasn’t so fucking funny. It would make a lot of this easier for me. “Cute.” She sighs and closes the remaining distance between us. She thrusts the pizza box into my chest. I stare down at her and raise both eyebrows. “It’s a thick crust, extra cheese pizza with double pepperoni. I got it because I know it’s your favorite. And I know it’s your favorite because we are friends. Now, I’d like to come inside and eat this pizza before it gets cold. With you.” “As friends,” I clarify. That half smile curls her mouth again. “Yes. You can tell me about your day and I’ll tell you about mine. We’ll do some planning for the harvest festival and I’ll steal something to drink from your fridge. Then I’ll drive home and see you later this week.” “Later this week?” “Yeah. Later this week.” I consider it. Part of me is still tender about last night, but there’s a bigger piece of me that’s tired of sitting in this little house all alone. “I’m picking what we watch on TV,” I finally say. Her smile slips wider before she tucks it back into place, lips pressed down against it. She rocks back on her heels on the rickety front porch, boards squeaking beneath her boots. “That’s fine.” “And I’m going to eat your crust.” “That’s fine too.” “I’m going to take up most of the couch,” I warn. I take up too much space, I want to tell her. I’m loud and somet...