More Than She Can Chew | Book Two ✔

Chapter Twenty-Six

Noah hailed a cab and took them to Mortadella's, a place that could only be described as an alleyway deli and pizzeria. The floor was covered with what used to be black and white tile, but was now black and yellow chipped tile. The red brick wall to the right was covered in old art deco posters. By the entrance was a sign asking diners to seat themselves.

Alissa followed Noah passed the deli counter on the left to the booth in the far right corner. There were a few diners sitting in booths closer to the entrance, but they were alone in the back. As she sat down, her thighs immediately stuck to the cracked red plastic material.

Noah looked over towards the counter where there was a large chalkboard the length of the restaurant with items upon items listed to order. There were deli meats, pizzas, calzones, strombolis, pastas, hot sandwiches, cold sandwiches, and more.

"How did you find this place?"

"Believe it or not, Mr. Ridley. Said it was the best cheap pizza he's ever eaten."

Alissa scoffed.

"What?" Noah looked at her with inquisitive eyes.

"The best cheap pizza is in an even more run-down place than this in the Bronx." She crossed her arms over her chest.

Noah's gaze drifted down to her cleavage before looking back up to her face.

"Well, I've been meaning to try this place out. Let's see how it compares to Miami's and New York's then." He smiled, "What type of pizza do you like?"

Alissa scrunched her lips to the side, "Well, if we're to fairly judge this pizza, we need plain and pepperoni. That's it."

Noah nodded as he stood up and made his way to the counter to order their pizza. Alissa stood up a bit as well, but to unglue her thighs to the seat. She should have worn tights today, she thought. While it was getting warmer out, it was still March in Denver.

Noah sat back down a few minutes later with a tray of pizza, two slices of plain and two slices of pepperoni, and two sodas.

"Hope you like Coke," he said as he placed the tray down on the beaten, wooden table.

Alissa nodded, "Thanks."

He sat back down and their knees brushed. Alissa thought he'd move over, but he didn't as he reached for the plain slice first. So, she moved over to the right slightly then grabbed the other plain slice.

Noah lifted the slice to his lips and took a bite while Alissa folded her pizza in half and then took a bite.

"You fold your pizza?" he asked after swallowing.

She swallowed, "You don't?"

"Well, you are from New York," he said grinning.

Alissa couldn't help it; she giggled, which made Noah's grin grow.

"What do you think of the pizza?"

Noah took another bite, but didn't wait to swallow before he spoke, "It's pretty good."

"Yeah, it is." Alissa took another bite of her pizza.

After finishing the plain and halfway through the pepperoni, Noah and Alissa were laughing at a story she had told of her brother losing his trunks at Great Sacandaga Lake when they were teenagers.

"I can so relate to that growing up at the beach." He laughed and placed his hand on her thigh.

She laughed with him, wiping her greasy hands on a napkin.

Noah kept his hand on her thigh as he scooted closer to her. "You're a lot of fun, Alissa."

She could feel her cheeks heat up, "Uh, thanks."