Mostly.
Part of her insisted it would be more fun than she could possibly resist.
“It was a good idea. I was sitting there feeling so stupid.”
She shook her head. “Nah. It’s not like we were planning on doing a lot of skiing anyway. Now you have an excuse to sit by the fire, drink wine and eat for the rest of the week.”
“And celebrate the solstice! I looked, and it’s going to be a full moon. I bet it’s beautiful on the snow.”
“I’m always up for a party.” That was such a lie. She was not a party person at all. She was the type who used work as an excuse for not being able to do things. But it seemed like something good to say. “Cherry’s Pies. This has a good pizza look. Are you hungry yet?”
“Yeah. Yeah, and I could get in out of the cold too.”
Oh, that leg had to be aching. Dammit.
“In we go.” She stopped the chair by the door. “Hm.”
A young woman came out as she was trying to figure out how to get Beks in and pointed down the side of the building with a smile. “Ramp.”
“Ramp! Thank you.”
“Man, it gives you an appreciation for disabled people, doesn’t it? I mean, I feel like I should think about it more, but you get so busy, huh?”
“You used to tell me life throws things at you for a reason.” She rolled Beks around the corner and up the ramp where an automatic door opened for them.
“I still believe that with all my heart.” Beks shook her head, snuggling into her scarf. “I don’t believe in coincidence.”
“No?” They got inside where it was warm, and the door closed behind them. “You think winning a honeymoon contest run by your brother, coming here single after my girlfriend left me, and running into you was all by design?” That was some bad design if that was true, she was mad now, but her heart had been broken.
“You don’t have to look at it that way.” Beks shook her head. “What if you won, and I’m here to make it easier? Give you something to do?”
Right, Beks was a glass half-full person.
Still, it was hard to argue with her logic without sounding like she was feeling sorry for herself. “Okay. Point taken. I think a cinnamon roll from the coffee shop would make it easier too, don’t you?”
“Oh, I do love a treat. Did you want to order a whole pizza to share or a slice?”
“I could murder a couple of slices. Should we get one to share? I’m not a dainty flower when it comes to pizza.” Even if it wasn’t New York pizza.
“You guys need a seat?” The hostess smiled at them. “Just grab whatever seems comfortable. Maybe that one by the window? It might be an easier path.”
She nodded. “Looks great. Thank you.”
They got settled, and she looked at the menu. What the hell was a Colorado-style pizza?
“Does the menu say the pizza comes with hot honey?” Beks said. “That’s new.”
“Oh. No.When in Rome…does not apply in this case.” She laughed. “I think I’m too New York for that one.”
“Well, we’re here. We have to try it. You want all the veggies and sausage? Ooh…they have one with meatballs!” Beks pointed at a pizza pan with a huge braided crust mounded with toppings. “Look at that!”
Okay, honey and meatballs sounded so wrong, but how could she say no to that face? “Go for it.”
“Cool! I love new foods!” That hadn’t changed. Beks had always been willing to dive into new things with utter enthusiasm.
She ordered beer to go with it so if the pizza didn’t do it for her, she’d have that to keep her busy. The server took the order and brought them some garlic knots to start.
When the dust settled and the table went quiet between them, she leaned back and smiled at Beks. “You shouldn’t be embarrassed you know, about the kidney. That was a really kind thing you did.”