Oakley.
I groan, knowing she used that word just to wind me up. Instead of rising to the taunt, I turn my attention to the pizza dough on the counter. I already heated my oven to the highest temperature possible along with the pizza stone, so I get to work stretching the dough.
Once stretched, I layer it with toppings and place it on my pizza peel. I then transfer the pizza into the oven. While I wait for it to cook, I open a bottle of Catalanesca white wine from the region of Italy I grew up in, pouring two glasses.
I carry them into the living room and clear my throat. “Wine?” I ask.
She smiles and nods, sitting up straighter. “Yes, thank you.”
I pass the glass into her hand and sit down next to her. “Pizza will be ready in a few minutes.” I grab the remote for the TV and turn it on, switching straight to Netflix. “What kind of movie shall we watch?”
Eva shrugs. “Anything but a chick flick.”
My brow furrows. “Why’s that?”
She rolls her eyes. “Natalya, Azira, and Adrianna attempted to convert me by forcing me to watch mean girls.” The look she gives me suggests she wasn’t converted. “And it was torture. I’m not into those kinds of films.”
“What films do you like?” I ask.
“Thrillers mainly.” Eva tilts her head. “What about you?”
The timer on the oven dings at that moment. “Hold that thought, or we’ll have burned pizza.” I push off the sofa and return to the kitchen, quickly removing the pizza with the peel from the stone. I put it on a large pizza platter and cut it into ten slices. I grab two napkins and then head through with the pizza, placing it on the coffee table.
Eva’s eyes widen. “Wow, that looks delicious.”
“You haven’t tasted it yet.” I pass her a napkin. “Tuck in.”
She grabs a slice and sits back on the sofa, holding it over the napkin.
I can’t help but watch as she takes a slow bite, eyes shutting as she tastes it. “It tastes as good as it looks.”
I laugh. “You are just being polite.”
She shakes her head. “No, it’s one of the best pizzas I’ve ever tasted.”
“You should go to Naples, then. The pizza there is to die for.”
Her brow raises. “You’ve been to Italy?”
I nod in reply but say nothing else. I was born there, but I can’t tell her that. Not yet, perhaps never. Archer and Bly are don’t know about my past before Atlanta, as it’s too dangerous for anyone to know my true identity.
Eva sighs. “I’d love to go there. Maybe we can go together sometime?” she suggests.
I swallow hard, knowing that I shouldn’t return to my homeland. Fifteen years may have passed since I left, and the likelihood is no one would recognize me, but it would be risky. “Perhaps,” I murmur mindlessly.
Eva looks a little disappointed by my half-hearted reply.
“So, what movie shall we watch?” I ask, changing the subject.
Eva shrugs. “You never answered what movies you like to watch.”
I smile at that. “No, I didn’t.” I give her a pointed look. “I love chick flicks.”
Her brow furrows, and she glares at me. “Are you messing with me?”
I laugh. “Yes, I fucking hate them.”
She sighs in relief, sagging back on the sofa. “Thank God. I’ve had enough of them with my friends.”
“I like thriller and action movies,” I reply.
“Let’s pick a thriller, then. Have you seen Gone Girl?”
I shake my head. “No, is it good?”
“Amazing.” She grabs the remote from me and finds it on Netflix. “Let’s watch it.”
“Okay,” I say, grabbing another piece of pizza. “Don’t forget the pizza, or it will go cold.”
Eva smiles and grabs another piece, sitting back as the movie starts.
I can’t help but watch her as she eats. She’s exquisite. Somehow, she makes everything that she does so elegant.
“What are you looking at?” she asks.
I smirk. “You.”
She shoves me. “You’re supposed to be watching the movie,” she scolds.
I laugh. “Sorry, I just find you infinitely more interesting.”
She glares at me. “Pack it in. You need to concentrate, or you won’t know what is going on.”
I hold my hands up in mock surrender. “Alright, don’t get your panties in a twist.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “You know I’m not wearing any.”
I grab her thigh and drag her toward me. “Is that right? Shall I check-”
“Oak,” she growls, pushing me from her. “Are we watching the movie or not?”
I sigh heavily and let go of her. “Yes, sorry.”
Eva grabs another slice of pizza and passes me the last one.
I pull her against my side, getting comfortable with her in my arms. No matter how hard I try to focus on this movie she loves so much, it’s almost impossible with her in the room. I want her every second she’s near.