Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts Page A

looks like in your neighborhood cineplex, Legs.”
    “No, I don’t suppose it is.And I wish you wouldn’t call me that.”
    “Can’t help it. Got planted in my head that day you and Emma played soccer at her parents’ big bash.”
    “Cinco de Mayo. I have a perfectly good name.”
    “It’s Spider-Man’s name.”
    She smothered a laugh. “His name’s Peter.”
    “Stranger that it’s Spider-Man’s last name. I worked on those movies.”
    “You worked with Tobey Maguire on the Spider-Man movies? What was . . .” She narrowed her eyes. “I bet you use that sort of connection to score with women all the time.”
    “It’s an angle.” He smiled as Kaylee set the pizza on its holder.
    “Anything else I can get you?”
    “We’re good, Kaylee.Thanks.”
    “The zucchini was wonderful,” Parker told her and got a quick shoulder jerk.
    “I’ll let them know you liked it.”
    “She’ll always hate me.” Parker sighed. “So the pizza better be worth the harsh thoughts that must be clouding my aura.”
    “The hot peppers’ll clear that aura right out.”
    “We’ll see about that. Have you always been interested in cars and mechanics?”
    “Like I said, I like knowing how things work.The next step is keeping them working. Have you always been interested in weddings?”
    “Yes. I liked everything about them. So the next step is helping create them.”
    “Which involves being on call pretty much around the clock.”
    “It can. And you don’t want to talk about weddings.”
    “You don’t want to talk about cars.” He lifted a slice, slid it onto her plate.
    “No, but I’m always interested in business. Let’s try something else.You mentioned you lived in Florida.Where else?”
    “Japan, Germany, Colorado.”
    “Really?”
    “I don’t remember Japan, and I’m fuzzy on Germany.” He took a slice for himself.“The first place I really remember is Colorado Springs.The mountains, the snow. We were there for a couple of years, but I always remember the snow. The way I always remember the smell of that bush outside my window in Florida.”
    He took a bite of pizza, angled his head.“Are you going to try it or not?”
    Judging it cool enough not to singe the roof of her mouth, she sampled. Nodded.“It’s fabulous. Really.” She took another testing bite. “But I have to give Mrs. G’s the edge, and consider this the second-best pizza in Connecticut.”
    “Looks like I have to talk Mrs. Grady out of a slice of pie to see if you’re being honest or stubborn.”
    “I can be both, depending on mood and circumstances.”
    “Let’s try out the mood and circumstances on honest. Why’d you come out with me?”
    “We made a deal.”
    He shook his head, studying her over his slice. “Might be a factor, but it’s not why.”
    She considered, took a sip of wine. “You irritated me.”
    “And you go out with guys who irritate you?”
    “I did this time. And you made it a kind of dare, which pushed the next button. Lastly, I was curious.Those are the various factors that make up the whole, and the reason why I’m sitting here enjoying this very superior pizza instead of—Oh hell.” She yanked out her ringing phone.
    “Go ahead.We can get back to it.”
    “I hate people who talk on cell phones in restaurants. I’ll be right back.” She scooted out, snaked her way through the door. “Hi, Justine, give me one minute.”
    He didn’t mind watching her walk away, he decided as he topped off her wine.The jeans were a damn good fit.
    Kaylee set another Coke in front of him, whisked the other away.“You looked like you needed a refill.”
    “Good timing. How are you liking college?”
    “It’s okay. I really like my art class.Anyway, who’s your friend?”
    “Her name’s Parker.”
    “Is she a doctor or a cop?”
    “No.Where’d that come from?”
    “My dad says the only people who should answer cell phones in a restaurant are doctors and cops.”
    He glanced at the cell phone peeking