Chapter 32: Squirrel And Nettle

The canopy grew darker as clouds passed overhead, and August buried her hands in her pockets. Was there really pizza all the way in here? The answer to her silent question finally came when they reached a break in the trees.

"Here we are," he turned to look at her finally.

"Yay," she replied awkwardly, hands still in her pockets. Graeme noticed her cheeks and nose had turned pink from the cooler air they had walked through. He wanted to gather her into his arms, but he held back, remembering how she had pulled away from him earlier.

They approached a brick and ivy building with large windows that were hooded with red and white striped awnings. An ornate black metal sign that read, "Mama May's" hung perpendicular over its front door. White lights hung elegantly over an otherwise rustic outdoor seating area. It was literally as if a charming pizzeria had just been dropped in the middle of the forest, and August's face lit up at the sight of it.

"It's possible that I've never been this excited for pizza. And that's saying something," she said in awe.

Graeme shrugged, "What did I tell ya?" She smiled appreciatively in response and followed him inside.

The hostess recognized Graeme instantly and led them through a dining area with a handful of occupied booths to a private patio at the back of the restaurant. A few curious faces peeked over seats at the couple as they passed, and August thought she heard a gasp or two followed by hushed, excited voices. Thankfully the large patio area was empty.

This area was separate from the outdoor seating area August had seen from the front of the restaurant. A wooden pergola with elegant draping ivy and tied white curtains in each corner extended over the full length of the bricked seating area. August had to consciously remind herself to close her mouth, which was gaping open at the site before her. It was simply breathtaking.

"Thanks, Kate," Graeme smiled at the young girl who blushed as she placed menus for them before returning to the door.

'Well, I'm not the only one,' August thought, smirking as she looked down at the menu.

"What?" Graeme noticed her expression.

"Nothing," she replied. "Is this your personal space back here?"

"They just know I like it quiet," he said. "So what's your favorite pizza?"

"I'm pretty simple. Usually just sausage and pepperoni," she looked over the menu. There wasn't anything simple about it. Rabbit? Salmon? Beet and Pesto? Pistachio and Blackberry? Graeme noticed the way her eyebrows curved in concern, and he smiled behind his menu.

"She can make anything, no worries," he reassured her.

"Have you tried most of this?" she asked.

"Mhmm."

"I may need you to make a suggestion."

"Hmmm… I don't see the squirrel and nettle that was my favorite as a kid," Graeme grumbled.

"S-squirrel?" August repeated.

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"Yeah, it's delicious—especially paired with the tang of the nettle. But I don't see it. Maybe she took it off the menu."

"Th-that's okay. I think I'll try something a little less, um, squirrel-y. Cheese. Perfect," she closed the menu and smiled as if she had been forced to swallow a worm. It took everything Graeme had not to laugh.

"Are you sure? All of it is really fantastic. Cheese is a little…" he started.

"A little what? Boring?"

"Safe," he smiled a crooked, devastating smile and closed his own menu.

"What would you suggest then? Besides squirrel?" August folded her hands below her chin.

"Something you've never tried before," he answered. There was a flash of something like a challenge in his eyes, and August felt her stomach dip to her toes. The corner of Graeme's mouth twitched as he kept his eyes trained on her, and August felt her fingers tighten around each other under her chin as she refused to look away.

A happy voice found them, breaking the spell. "Graeme? I was wondering when you would come visit me again. It's been so long!" the words reached them before the woman who emerged in the doorway moments later, her expression joyful and warm. Graeme got up out of his seat and embraced her, a genuine smile on his face.

"How are you, May?" he kissed the woman on her cheek.

"Better now that you're here, my dear," she patted his hands and then the side of his face like he was a young sweet boy visiting an old lady.

"It's always too long, but thankfully your sister comes around frequently. You're just the best kids. Oh, I remember when you were running wild in these woods as little ones like it was yesterday, and here you are grown and handsome as ever," she chuckled. "I still feel like you should be running things around here, love," she whispered, nudging him.

Graeme listened and laughed along with her before the old woman turned to see August who had been seated across from him.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, dear. I didn't notice you there," May appeared startled, bringing a hand to her chest in surprise. The woman's happiness was so much bigger than her little round self, and August found herself smiling back.

"Were you not going to introduce me, young man? Where are your manners?" She turned to Graeme and hit him playfully on the shoulder with the towel that had been brought along with her.

"Excuse me May, I'm sorry. This is August Cady," he replied.

August scooted out of her seat to present herself properly, not wanting to be rude. "Hello, May. It's so nice to meet you. This is a lovely place you have," August said politely to the woman in front of her.

"Oh, thank you, dear," she responded warmly, squeezing August's arm. "Now stop that, you'll make me blush."

Graeme's and August's eyes met while the woman looked them over, suddenly growing quiet within the bubble of happiness that surrounded her. "Now isn't this something?" May's eyes were sweeping over Graeme's face with a new awareness settling in the wrinkles of her eyes. His expression formed a silent question in response.

"What is it?" he finally asked when May continued to gaze at him and turned back to August.

"I think my soul has left my body, child.. Is this your mate?" May had her hand on her chest again as she replied to Graeme.

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