Pizza My Heart, page 1
Pizza My Heart
Frankie Love
Contents
Pizza My Heart
Chapter 1
Mirabella
2. Matt
Mirabella
3. Matt
Mirabella
4. Matt
Mirabella
5. Matt
Mirabella
6. Matt
Mirabella
Epilogue 1
Epilogue 2
The Way To A Man’s Heart Book 2
More Frankie Bite-Sized Reads
About the Author
Copyright © 2020 by Frankie Love
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Pizza My Heart
Way to A Man’s Heart Book 1
When I walk into Sugar and Slice Pizzeria, I don’t expect to leave so damn hungry.
But the moment I lock eyes with Mirabella, I’m craving so much more.
Her curves, her cute-ass smile, and the dark curls in her hair… she’s everything.
She may be taking my order but I’m ready to tell her exactly what to do.
I don’t want her behind that counter — I want her in my bed.
Now and forever.
Dear Reader,
This is a one-slice situation.
Short and filthy-sweet, it’s the perfect 1-hour lunch break read!
Matt and Mirabella want this HEA as badly as you do.
It’s got extra cheese and it’s hot from the oven!
Can ya handle the heat?
xo, frankie
Chapter One
Matt
After the long workout this morning, my stomach is growling. But first I gotta cleanup. I’m dripping with sweat.
“You killed it today,” my buddy Josh says. “But next week I’m coming for you.”
There’s a group of us, ten of us guys, that all work out together a few times a week. This week I’m on the top of the leaderboard for my time. I finished a few minutes ahead of Josh and I know how much he hates to lose.
“We’ll see about that,” I say with a grin as I grab a towel to head to the locker room. “A lot can happen in a week.”
Josh shrugs. “True. I have a date this weekend with a girl who works at that new bakery on 4th Ave. You never know. She may be the one.”
I chuckle. “Since when are you looking for the one?” All of us guys are single — living the bachelor life. It surprises me to hear Josh say he might be ready for something more because the truth is, I’ve been feeling the same way. I’m ready to put down roots, make a life with someone… but like Josh says, it would have to be the one. No pressure.
“You’d have to see her to understand. She’s like nothing else.” Josh’s eyes practically glaze over and I laugh, shaking my head.
“Make sure you invite me to the wedding,” I say with a chuckle.
After my shower at the CrossFit gym I decide to walk the long way home. With my Air Pods in, I pull up some feel-good, old-school music, getting nostalgic as I breathe in the fresh air. KC and JoJo belt out All My Life and I laugh to myself, thinking maybe I’m a lot more ready than I thought. I suppose love must be in the air.
While I want to get home and relax for a few hours before I head to work, my stomach is begging for attention. So, when I turn the corner and see a pizza shop, I slow my pace. Sugar and Slice Pizzeria has a sandwich board outside advertising a mid-day special and I can’t resist the pull of melting cheese. I head inside this unfamiliar establishment ready to order a whole damn pie — but the woman behind the counter has me wanting to order something else.
Something to go.
Her. In my arms.
I step closer, glad I showered, and I want to know everything about her. Because what I see… it seems too good to be true. She’s behind the counter on a step stool, stacking cardboard pizza boxes on a shelf. Wearing a red apron, accentuating her tiny waist and lush hips. In a pair of tight blue jeans, she’s got an ass that makes my cock twitch. Full and round and pretty perfect. Squeezable.
Her curly black hair hangs down her back, and when she turns, flashing me a smile, I see dimples in each cheek, deep brown eyes, and a nose that is utterly kissable.
Damn. I’ve never once in my life looked at a nose and thought that.
Then again, I’ve never once in my life seen her.
Mirabella
This guy isn’t just checking me out… he’s full-on staring. Heat rises through my body at the attention, and I bite back a laugh. Obvious much, mister?
But then, as I step down the ladder to help him, I realize I’m being pretty obvious too. He’s gorgeous. And the closer he comes to the counter, the more I see that. He is tall, hot and more than handsome… and he’s got muscles covering him. My belly flip-flops. Whoever he is… he knows exactly who he is. He’s got confidence. Swagger. And he’s not cocky… just powerful. He gives me a smile that sends a prickle of excitement over my skin, making me flush that much more.
“Um,” I say, licking my lips and running my hands over the front of my apron. “Can I help you?”
He lifts his eyebrows, a half-smile on his face, and he nods ever so slowly. “You can certainly help me all right.”
I swallow. Hard. “And what is it that you’d like? We have pizza by the slice or…” I exhale, feeling his eyes level with mine.
“Not sure what I want you to serve me is a slice of pizza.”
“No?” My voice is three octaves higher, but his gaze unnerves me in the most delicious way.
He shakes his head. “I think I’d like something else from you.”
“Like what? We have calzones… but they take fifteen minutes to warm up.”
He laughs, his hands on the counter. “I don’t want a calzone. I want a date.”
“A date?” I snort. Then, mortified at the noise I’ve just made, I cover my face. “God. Um. Look, I don’t —”
“What? Don’t date?”
“I don’t even know you.” I look over my shoulder, sure my brother Tony is going to be back any minute.
“I’m Matt. What’s your name?”
“I’m Mirabella,” I say softly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “And I just think… maybe you should…”
He crosses his arms, giving me a teasing grin. “Give you my number?”
I laugh nervously. Wishing my life were different. But knowing Tony’s take on any man who tries to flirt with me. And Matt isn’t just flirting. He asked me out. At least, he sort of did.
I hear the back door open and Tony whistling. “I’m sorry,” I say, “but I have to get back to work… maybe I’ll see you around?”
“Just like that? Not even gonna pretend you’re not interested?”
“I am… but…”
“But what?”
Tony calls out to me. “Hey, Mirabella, come unload these groceries.”
“Bye,” I say softly, spinning around and walking away. Matt calls after me, but I’m long gone, and Tony gives me a scowl before heading to the front of the pizzeria.
I wanted to stay and talk to Matt.
But girls like me don’t always get what they want.
I grab a slice of pepperoni, folding it in half and taking a bite, leaning against the fridge, doing my best to listen in on whatever Tony is doing to ruin my chances with a man who looks like a serious piece of pie.
Chapter Two
Matt
When this burly-ass dude walks out with tats and slicked back hair, I know exactly what kind of guy he is. Not the kind I take too kindly to, especially since he has Mirabella clearly freaked out.
I clench my jaw, wondering what their connection is, my stomach popping as I fear the worst. One look and I decided she was mine… but what if she’s already someone else’s?
“Did she get ya yer food?”
I’ve totally lost my appetite, but I’m not ready to leave this pizza shop. “Just a slice of pepperoni,” I manage to say.
He rings me up and I give him some cash, adding a twenty to the tip jar in case it’s Mirabella who gets the money at the end of the shift. He hands me a plate with my order and tells me to come again. “And sorry, my sister gets weird with customers sometimes. She’s too shy for her own good. It’s why I usually have her in the back making dough. She gets nervous.”
I nod slowly, taking in his words. “Sister?”
“Yeah,” he says with a shrug.
“She didn’t seem shy.”
He laughs. “Yeah? Well you musta won her over. She’s shy and she’s fragile.”
“Fragile how?”
“Not like a flower, like a bomb.”
My eyes widen. She sure as hell didn’t seem like a grenade.
“She’s been through hell is all. And so, I make sure to look out for her.”
“Okay…” I say. “Do you think I could talk to her? I—”
He cuts me off. “Look, it’s a bad idea, okay? Just leave well enough alone.”
Frustrated, I shake my head. “If she’s in the back room, can’t she at least be the one to—”
“Fine. Mirabella, you here? This guy wants to talk to you,” he calls out. No answer. “See, she’s not interested.”
“You’re being ridiculous,” I say, dropping the plate in the trash, wondering what the hell is this guy’s deal. I
walk to the door, pissed.
As I turn to go, I hear him mutter under his breath. “She’s been hurt enough already. Don’t need a guy like you adding to her trouble.”
Mirabella
I listen to their conversation, up until Tony tells Matt that I’ve been through hell. Tony thinks he’s protecting me, but it just makes it worse. I have been through the wringer, but it’s my story, not his.
I leave through the back door, climbing the fire escape stairs and crawling into our second-floor apartment. Suddenly exhausted. It’s not glamorous — our life — but it’s all we know. We grew up in this apartment and unless Tony kicks me out, I’m here for good.
Sitting in the window seat of the street-facing window, I look out below. I see a crow sitting on the power lines, then it takes flight. My heart flutters, wishing I was able to leave this nest. But it’s not easy when my overprotective brother thinks he knows what’s best. I’ve learned it’s better not to argue.
But that was before my eyes locked with Matt’s, before my heart stirred in a way it never had before. Matt and I spoke for what, a few minutes? But in that space of time, I felt hope. And I haven’t felt hope in so long.
I watch the street as Matt leaves the pizzeria, shaking his head, putting in earbuds, and walking away. I wish I knew what he was listening to, wish whatever song was stuck in his head was stuck in mine too. Because all I have to go off of is his name and the fact that he wanted my number.
Why didn’t I take a chance and just give it to him?
I want to leave this apartment, but I’m too scared to fly.
Closing my eyes, I fall asleep, not exactly tired, but wanting to slip into a dream, a possibility of a different life, a different version of myself. Wanting to be the kind of girl who gives the guy her number.
And not just any guy.
Matt.
Because truth be told, he made me feel like no guy ever has before.
He saw me as who I am today — not the girl from before.
Chapter Three
Matt
All night at my restaurant, I can’t get Mirabella off my mind. By the time I close up for the night, I’m ready for a drink. I meet Josh and Grady at O’Malley’s for a pint and tell them about the girl I met.
“What the hell, man,” Josh laughs. “I haven’t even gotten my first date and you’re gonna beat me down the aisle.”
Grady lifts his eyebrows. “You guys sound insane. You know that, right? Love at first sight? It’s not real.”
“Says the guy who owns a flower shop. Seen too many lovesick fools buying roses for their girls, is that it?”
Grady takes a drink of his IPA. “How many times do I have to tell you? It’s a home and garden store. We sell fertilizer.”
“That’s bullshit,” I laugh. “Pun intended. But you sell more flowers than you do topsoil.”
Grady shrugs. “Maybe so, but it’s not the customers that have me put off. It’s my mother. God, she’s mentioning grandchildren every damn Sunday when I see her.”
We all laugh, able to relate.
“So, you really hit it off?” Josh asks.
I nod. “Yeah, and I made up my mind. Tomorrow I’ll go back to Sugar and Slice and try harder. Bring flowers. A box of chocolates. A teddy bear. I don’t know what girls want, but I know I want this girl. And I’ll do what I can to get her.”
My buddies shake their heads in surprise as a few more guys from the gym join us. But I don’t stay for another round. My mind isn’t here — it’s on her.
And as I walk back to my place, I can’t help but wonder. Maybe she is the one. Maybe love is on my mind for a reason. Maybe everything is leading up to this.
By the time I get to her pizzeria the next day, flowers — from Grady’s shop no less — in hand, a box of chocolates from the local candy shop under my arm, I hope the gesture will be appreciated. If she’d just give me a chance. And if her brother Tony would too. Damn, that guy had a chip on his shoulder all right.
I push open the door and there she is, coming through the back room. She drops the pizza she’s carrying in a box but manages to catch it before it hits the floor. She laughs nervously as she steps to the woman to the right of her. “Sorry, almost lost it,” she says. The woman thanks her before turning to go.
And then, just like that, we are alone. At last.
Mirabella
Matt came back. Like, actually came back. And he has roses. Actual red roses and a box of chocolates and my eyes go wide. This is so much more than I expected. My hand presses to my chest. I feel faint.
But like, actually faint.
My knees go wobbly, and Matt must notice because he drops everything and rushes to me, scooping me up in his arms. He carries me to a bench in the restaurant and lays me down, cradling my head in his hand. “God, are you okay?”
I exhale, blinking slowly. “I think so… You just… surprised me.”
He frowns. “You didn’t think I’d be coming back?”
I breathe him in. He smells like a man, like sweat and sandalwood and a cologne that reminds me of a hike I took once in the Redwoods of California. Not that I’ve been on a hike in years.
“I hoped you would but… I’m not the kind of girl who gets her hopes up too high.”
“And why’s that?” he asks, leaning closer, searching my eyes, as if trying to memorize my very thoughts.
“I know how hard it is when I get let down.” I close my eyes, thinking of the last few years.
“Your brother said you’ve been through hell.”
“Ovarian cancer.” I know the two little words will change the way this strong and capable man sees me. But still, I say them anyways. I’m tired of being half the girl I was. Not saying what I want, what I need. I won’t push this man away. This man who brought me roses and chocolates and who lifted me up, quite literally, so I wouldn’t fall.
“Shit, Bella. You really have been through hell.”
“I’m in remission. Two years. I’ll be okay.”
He runs a hand over my cheek. An intimate gesture, but I don’t shy away from his touch. In fact, my heart slows, my breathing steadies. I welcome it. It’s like I’m ready for it. Ready for him.
“My mom had breast cancer,” he says. “I know how hard it was, how hard she fought. You’re a survivor, Bella. Thank God for that.”
“Is she alive? Your mom?”
He nods. “She is. And so are you.”
“Tony, my brother, he thinks I’m gonna break. But he’s wrong. I’m stronger than he thinks. In his mind, I’m keeping everything in — but I’m not.”
“No?” Matt takes my hand. My fingers wrap around his as if this is something we’ve done a hundred times before. “You have someone to talk to?”
I nod. “Not to get personal, but I have a therapist at my doctor’s office. She helped me process losing my parents when I was a teenager, then getting sick. Everything.” I don’t know why I'm so blunt with him… but I think I’m testing him. Wanting to see how he is going to take my truth. I need a man who isn’t scared by it. I need a man who sees me as strong. An asset, not a liability.
“That’s good,” he says. “I work out most days to clear my head. We all need a way to deal with our shit, ya know?”
I lick my lips, sitting up, and he sits next to me. “You really wanted my number?”
He smiles. Shakes his head. “I wanted more than your number. I wanted… hell, when I saw you yesterday, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
I roll my eyes. But he takes my face in his hand. “Don’t do that — dismiss my truth. You are, Mirabella. You are something out of a fairy tale. Dark eyes, dark hair, curves that make me…”
