Free Dizzy by Jolene Perry Page A

asks. “We could get my favorite.”
    Crap. I’m chewing on my lip, and he’s staring. He must think I’m crazy. “I’m curious to see what Lil’ D gets on his pizza.”
    He shakes his head. “I’m only lettin’ you get away with that because…”
    I wait for a moment and then finish for him. “’Cause I’m a mess?” I offer.
    Hank leans forward. “I’m guessing you both want a drink?”
    “Yeah.” I nod.
    “That’ll be twenty.” Hanks pushes a few buttons on the register.
    “What?” Dylan chuckles. “How about you hook me up since you just gave her some ammo with that stupid-ass nickname my brother started.”
    Hank laughs. “The problem here, Dylan, is I run a small pizza place, and you live in one of the biggest houses in Portland. I’m totally exploiting you, and you’re lucky you can get a pizza for less than fifty bucks.” He turns and hands the order through the window to the kitchen. “And you have to move that ridiculous beast of a car you insist on driving. I can’t have you taking up two spaces.”
    “I’ll move my car when I get my pizza.” Dylan laughs. He grabs me a Dr. Pepper from the fridge and himself a Pepsi. He holds the soda out to me. “I guessed ‘cause it’s what your sister drinks.”
    “Thanks. This has been very informative, Lil’ D,” I tease, as I take my soda from him.
    He lets out a dramatic sigh. “Please, not you, too.”
    “O-kay.” I mimic his dramatic sigh. “But just remember it’s back there for blackmail.”
    “You gonna cut me any slack?” His crooked smile is one of the many things that melted me at the party, and no guy should be giving me happy tingles just after I slammed the door in James’s face.
    “I don’t know. Maybe.” And we’re standing here, and I’m lighter every minute.
    “Perfect.” His voice is dry, but a corner of his mouth pulls up. Dylan holds open the door. “It’s not raining, we should be outside.”
    “Agreed.” I follow him out the door.
    ***
    Our legs are stretched out on Mary’s hood. Bits of sunshine paired with the black surface makes it feel almost like summer. The Willamette River is in front of us, and we have a view of a few of the bridges that stretch across the water.
    Dylan’s favorite pizza is pretty awesome—double pepperoni, ham, and olives.
    “So.” He takes another bite. “I’m assuming you’re a college girl. Where you headed?”
    “Undecided. I’m pre-med, and there are a lot of places I could go. I’ve applied like, everywhere.”
    “Cool. I’m, um…pre-law.”
    I choke on my bite of pizza. “Pre-law? So, really you’re a brainiac like me, but you’re disguised as a hot party guy?” My cheeks heat up the moment the words are out. I drop my pizza and put my hands on my cheeks, hoping to cool them down.
    “Wow, Hanes, was that a compliment?” He nudges my arm with his elbow.
    “Oh, come on.” I shake my head. “You’re not going to argue with me on that point, are you?” Maybe if I play it off as his conceit rather than how I feel, it won’t be a big deal.
    “Let’s just say I’m holding onto that one for blackmail.”
    Of course he is.
    “But seriously? It’s what my dad does, and I get it. It’s like the law is this strict guideline. But really, it’s so bendable, you know? If you’re smart about it. I like the idea of all the motions, and the back and forth that happens between firms working on the same case.” He takes another bite, so relaxed. “Plus, I’m kickass at arguing and getting my way.”
    I have to laugh at his honesty. And I’m sort of in shock because a part of me felt he’d be a guy who did nothing. I bet his dad has enough money for him to get away with it, too. But he’s not going to do nothing—he’s going to do something big.
    “I’m getting into medicine because of my dad. He decided to teach instead of practicing. I want to practice. Probably pediatrics, but I’m not sure yet. I have a way long time to think about