Chapter 21. The Introduction Hits a Rock

Ellie's POV

I inhale deeply and slowly swallow the pizza in my mouth. His presence is sending unsettling chills my way. I can't criticize him for believing I am the weirdest so far, but he should know that he is the weirdest.

"You want some?" I ask while trying to hold back my anxiety and awareness, doing my very best to dodge his eyes. I hate alcohol, but the same alcohol is making me love his eyes even more. And I don’t want any temptations. I am a mess from the heartbreak and all that has happened to me, and he is a mess from the alcohol he has consumed. We are two very bad combinations. A slight mistake and the temptation will strike us like two total fools.

Instead of responding, he simply grabs a piece of pizza like a young child being forced to eat and he nearly throws the empty glass on the table. Instead of scowling at his behavior, as I should be doing, I find myself watching him as he puts the piece in his mouth and takes a mouthful. Aft