Chapter 16
Mia
Pizza and an Interrogation
I’m sure my face is flaming when we walk into Harold’s Famous Pizza. The ride over was quiet as I grappled with my feelings about that smoking hot kiss we just shared and wondering where we go from here. I never saw myself dating a hockey player, not in a million years. But here we are.
The pizza joint is hopping with people as it’s a popular place to go to after a Stars hockey game. Almost every table is full. I crane my neck to look over the crowd, as my eyes scan the room. Just as I see our group sitting in the far back corner, they also spot us, and gesture for Otto and me to join them.
As we reach the table, we slide into the two seats that they saved for us—side by side of course. I take my seat quietly, not making eye contact with anyone. “What were you two doing in that room?” Joey teases in a feigned innocent tone. A blush heats my neck, and I keep silent, hoping that Otto will field their questions.
“You were making a lot of noise,” Emma adds, pouring fuel on the fire. The group begins peppering us with questions so rapidly that I can barely keep track of who’s asking them.
“Did you finally get your first kiss?” Bailey asks.
“Sounded like more than a kiss to me,” Levi says and the group laughs.
“The janitor wasn’t very happy when we told him you were in there,” Emma adds. “But we tried to keep him from interrupting you.”
Right. I don’t believe that for an instant.
“Coach thought it was funny. But he’s going to reprimand you for not addressing the media with him,” Joey says directly to Otto.
Otto holds up a hand, stemming the flow. “Are you all done now?” he says in a crabby voice. My eyes widen when I notice a smear of lipstick on his neck. Too late to wipe that off. Oops!
Our tablemates exchange guilty looks for just a second, then burst out in more laughter. I guess when your friends overhear you making out rather loudly in a closet, you have to bear the brunt of their teasing.
Sliding my hand under the table, I touch Otto’s knee. His eyes fly to mine, and I give him a shy smile. His hand connects with mine and we hold hands under the table while our friends continue razzing us.
“What was the loud crash?” Joey asks.
“Followed by some rather heavy breathing,” Emma adds.
“Did you all have your ears plastered against the door?” I squeak.
More laughter, a snort, and a couple chortles escape their lips.
“Sorry about this,” Otto leans in and whispers directly into my left ear.
I roll my eyes at our friend’s adolescent antics. “They’ll forget all about our noisy make out session when the pizza arrives.”. As if on cue, Otto’s stomach rumbles. Loudly.
“Hey! Have you ordered yet?” he shouts to be heard over the fray.
The laughter fades.
“We did,” Levi admits.
“We ordered enough for everyone,” Bailey says, smoothing things over.
“Since we weren’t sure how long you’d be...er, back at the arena...We went ahead and ordered several pies,” Emma adds.
“You make out with your girlfriend, you miss out on choosing toppings,” Joey inserts with a smirk.
I squeeze Otto’s hand and shrug. As long as they didn’t order anchovies, I’m good.
“Okay, but you better not have ordered a pie with weird toppings...like pineapple,” Otto says, wrinkling his nose.
The table laughs.
Why do I get the feeling there’s a pineapple and Canadian bacon pizza on order?
~*~
Sure enough when the pizza order arrives about five minutes later, one pie is loaded with pineapple. At least I don’t spot any anchovies. Otto grumbles for a few seconds, then snags a slice from the meat lover’s special pie.
Everyone digs in. Thankfully, the joking about our make out session comes to an end. Were we really that noisy? Blush.
The pizza is delicious. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until our waitress sat the pies in front of us and the tantalizing aromas of garlic and tomato sauce hit my nostrils. The guys chat about the hockey game, spouting out details I don’t even remember. Otto’s two stints in the penalty box in the first period...Joey’s block of a slapshot from the blue line... Coach’s meltdown when one of the rookies made a turnover...
Emma hops up from her chair. “I need to use the ladies room. Bailey, Mia, let’s go.”
My hand stops halfway on its way to my mouth to take another bite of the slice I’m holding. “Right now?” I sputter.
“Right now!” Bailey says, joining Emma at the other side of the table.
Putting the pizza slice on my plate, I point to it and say, “That better be there when I get back.” The guys laugh as I join my friends, and we go in search of the restroom.
Once we’re secluded inside the restroom, Emma goes into the one stall and slams the door shut. She tinkles while Bailey and I stand beside the sink.
“Guess she had to go,” I say.
Bailey giggles. “Did you think this was an excuse to get you alone so we could interrogate you?”
I nod. “Yep. Although everyone did a pretty good job of cross-examining Otto and me already.”
The sound of a flush fills the room. Emma waltzes out of the stall and washes her hands. “You and Otto were too tight lipped at the table. We didn’t learn any good stuff.”
“Good stuff?” I reply quizzically.
Bailey wiggles her fingers. “You know. Juicy details!”
“There are no juicy details,” I reply in a huffy sounding voice.
Emma barks out a laugh. “I see. Why does Otto have that smear of lipstick on his neck?”
“And why do you have beard burn on your left cheek?” Bailey adds.
My hand flies up to my cheek and I rub it. “Otto doesn’t have a beard. How could I have beard burn?”
“Gotcha!” Bailey laughs.
“There’s still the matter of Mr. Stagmeier’s neck. I’m sure it’s the same color lipstick that you’re wearing,” Emma says.
“Spill, Mia! You know we won’t let you out of here until you share the deets.” This comes from usually mild-mannered Bailey.
Shifting on my feet, I say, “Um, well...Where do I start?” I try to buy time as I think about what I’m willing to share.
“I assume there was kissing?” Emma says.
“Is he a good kisser?” Bailey pipes up.
Clearing my throat, I say. “Yes, and yes.” My cheeks turn crimson.
My friends exchange fist bumps.
“Seriously, what was the loud bang? It sounded like something hit the wall,” Bailey says.
“Otto kicked the janitor’s roller bucket and it slammed into the wall,” I reply.
“That’s all?” Emma says sporting a disappointed look.
“Well—” Do I mention how he pushed me up against the shelves—my heart flutters just remembering that sexy move—and we were showered with rolls of toilet paper?
“There’s more!” Bailey squeals. “What is it?”
“Have you ever felt like you couldn’t get close enough to someone? Even though your body is plastered up against his?”
Bailey smiles and nods, but Emma doesn’t respond.
“We had a moment like that. He was embracing me, and I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him even closer.” A dreamy sigh escapes before I can stop it.
“Wow! She’s got it bad for him,” Bailey observes.
“It was the best kiss of my life,” I admit breathlessly.
“See! What did I tell you!” Emma chirps.
“It’s not your first kiss ever, right?” Bailey asks.
“Well—” I frown at what I’m going to disclose. “Does the kiss from my high school prom date count?”
Emma shakes her head. “Mia, Mia, Mia. This fling with Otto is a good thing. You study too much.”
My heart sinks. Is this just a fling? Neither one of us has put a label on our relationship. Maybe I’m misreading him, but I thought after that kiss, that this thing between us might last beyond the fundraiser. Am I wrong?
The rest of the night is a blur as I stew over my relationship with Otto. Since Emma and I live together, I catch a ride home with her. Otto doesn’t push back at my rationale for not riding with him—although I was hoping he would—and he doesn’t kiss me as we depart. Maybe I am misreading him.
Oh, and my slice of pizza was still on my plate when I returned from the restroom, but I didn’t enjoy it because it was cold.