Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 78142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Hazel, like Dragon’s.
Except not anything like Dragon’s. I don’t see flecks of gold or…
Why am I thinking of Dragon Locke’s eyes?
“That’s too bad,” Antonio says. “I thought we were getting along pretty well.”
“Never say never, Dee.” Teddy turns at some pounding on the door. “I wonder who that can be.”
“Those are the pizzas I ordered,” I say.
Teddy raises an eyebrow. “Pizza?”
“Yeah.” I swirl the remaining wine in my glass. “I had a craving for pizza to go with this wine. I figured you’d be okay with it. I ordered enough for everybody.”
“Of course it’s okay, but you didn’t have to do that, Diana. I have more stuff in the fridge for another charcuterie platter.”
“Oh, Teds,” Antonio says, laughing. “We all love your charcuterie, but come on. There’s no substitute for pizza.”
Teddy chuckles lightheartedly as she goes to the door, grabs the pizzas, takes them into the kitchen, and sets them out on her small counter.
“Hey, everyone,” she yells over the music. “We got some pizza!”
The pot smokers descend like vultures, which I expected.
I manage to grab a piece of pepperoni for myself before it’s gone. Then I find an empty chair in the corner, sit down with what remains of my glass of wine, and take a bite of the pizza.
The creamy cheese and the spice of the pepperoni…so good. Then I take a sip of the wine.
Mmm, delicious with the tomato sauce. It must be made of an acidic grape. That’s what Dale says. A wine that has a high acidity goes well with food, especially tomatoes.
Whatever. All I know is it tastes damned good, and once I’m finished with my pizza and I’ve drunk the last of my wine, I go to pour another glass.
And who should be getting a glass himself? Antonio Carbone.
“The pizzas didn’t last long,” he says.
“I know.” I wave the stench of marijuana away from in front of me. “All the pot smoking. They all have the munchies. But I only wanted one piece of pepperoni, and I got it.”
He scratches the side of his head. “You paid for all those pizzas and only got one piece?”
I shrug.
He presses his lips together. “Oh right… You’re an heiress.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not just an heiress. I’m a human being. My own person. I’m an architect.”
“Yes, you are. An architect who bought six pizzas so she could have one slice.” He chuckles as he takes the bottle of wine and pours some into my glass. “Teddy tells me you’re starting a new job.”
“First thing Monday morning.”
“Congratulations.” He clinks his glass to mine.
“Thank you.” I take a sip of the wine. There are a few straggler pieces of pizza left, all cheese. I pick up a napkin and grab one, despite the fact that I may pay for it tomorrow. “Now I’m an architect who bought six pizzas so she could have two slices. Much more economical.” I smile. “You’d better have another while you can.”
“Oh, I don’t eat pizza. I’m a vegan.”
I drop my jaw.
“Never met a vegan before?”
“No, of course I have. You just don’t run into too many vegans where I come from.”
He nods slowly. “Not in a family whose company is based on beef, I suppose.”
Christ, can we stop talking about my family? I’m trying to flirt here.
“Tell me about your veganism,” I say. “What made you make that decision?”
He smiles. “I just love animals.”
“I love animals too.”
“Yeah, I know. You don’t have to be a vegan to love animals.” His smile vanishes. “I just really hate the food industry. The inhumane way they’re treated.”
“Our animals have a really good life,” I say. “My dad and uncles pride themselves on that. They’re grass fed, and they graze freely.”
“But they still end up on someone’s plate.”
I frown. “They do.”
I take another sip of my wine. I need to find someone else if I think I’m going to get laid tonight. I like Antonio well enough, but since he seems to have a problem with everything my family does for a living, he’s probably not the wisest choice.
I take one more sip of wine. “It was great meeting you, Antonio. Excuse me.”
He grabs my arm gently. “Does it bother you that I’m a vegan?”
I shake my head. “Of course not. Does it bother you that my family makes a living raising beef?”
“No.” He looks at the floor. “I’m sorry if I came off as judgmental. This is just my personal choice. I don’t look down on anyone who eats meat.”
I smile then. Maybe he is a nice guy after all. “I certainly respect your decisions, and I’m glad you respect mine.”
“I do. So…” He glances around the room. The party has begun to die down. “You want to get out of here?”
I’m feeling something. Definitely a little bit of horniness. Probably because I’ve had two glasses of wine, which is a lot for me.