Test Drive (The Bachelor #1) Read Free Page B

pizzas were named after cities in America and several countries around the world. There was a sign at the bottom boasting the no silverware rule. I looked around to see how that was working out for the customers trying to slide the mounds of toppings in their mouths with no silverware to catch it. The customers at the surrounding tables all had napkins stuffed down their shirts, and they were rolling and folding their pizzas to keep it all in.
    I glanced up at the entrance just in time to see a petite brunette squeeze through the crowd. She was wearing a knee-length purple floral dress with a long-sleeved gray sweater. She wore black flats exposing her lily white legs. I couldn’t tell through the dark rimmed glasses if the shy beauty was in fact Sicily, but when her face turned red as she scanned the room I knew it must be her. She was pretty, not gorgeous, but definitely cute. I waved her over, and she looked down at her feet like she was trying to convince herself to go through with the date.
    I stood as she approached our table. "Sicily, right? I’m Drew. It’s nice to meet you."
    I reached to shake her hand, and she extended her hand slowly. I had thought about kissing her hand, like a gentleman of course, but decided against it. She looked petrified, in total disbelief over the fact she was here. I couldn’t pinpoint whether that was a good or a bad sign.
    "So have you been here before?" I asked trying to break the awkward silence.
    "Yes, many times. They have great pizza." She made eye contact when she spoke but then went right back to the menu hiding her light brown eyes.
    "Wonderful! What do you usually get?" I clasped my hands together on top of the menu giving her my full attention.
    "Well, normally I get the Kitchen Sink Pizza." I was shocked. I looked down at the menu and read off literally every ingredient they had.
    "Wow, that must be a huge pizza. And you eat that yourself?"
    "You can buy it by the slice, and I can normally eat two." She was smiling now at least. I hoped that she would break out of her shell a bit. I was not used to having to lead the conversation. Usually I was the one with the short answers.
    The menu offered a variety sampler, The Tour of America, and it came with eight different slices. I couldn’t deny that my appetite had built up thinking about the gobs of cheese I was about to inhale. Our food was delivered, and I continued to force the conversation. She was responding, but I could tell she was either very nervous or very uninterested. This strain made it difficult for me to get to know her, or maybe this was her. I couldn't imagine this being an everyday struggle, but she was sweet and smart, and I wanted to find out if she could be bold too.
    She pushed her square black glasses farther up her nose and bit into her folded Philly style pizza. I watched the thick mozzarella cheese stretch down her chin. She quickly scooped up the cheese and twisted it into her mouth. Her thin lips curved into a quiet smile. I knew my staring was making her uncomfortable, but watching her cheeks flush and her eyes dart away was kind of sexy.
    "Well, this place is awesome. I will definitely be back, although it’s gonna take me a year to try all of the different pizzas." I laughed, stretching my arm across the booth. "We should do this again sometime."
    "Yeah, I will call you. It’s going to be a busy week at the library, but I’ll be in touch." She quickly reached for her purse as the waitress dropped off the ticket.
    "No, please." I stuck out my hand snatching away the receipt. "Allow me."
    She only nodded in response and quickly stood from her seat. "I hate to rush off, but it’s been a long day. It was a pleasure meeting you, Drew. Safe travels."
    I swallowed the urge to call bullshit as she spoke.
    It was around nine forty-five, and the party boy in me wanted to point out that the night wasn't even close to over, but she had to work the next day, and so did I. I briefly remembered my dad's