Chapter 10

"It must be the most important food in the world. The greatest culinary contribution of all time."

Quinn grins at Lily, watching her take a mushroom off her pizza slice.

"How so?" he asks.

"Think about it. Who doesn't love pizza?"

"No one," he replies, laughing. "No one doesn't love pizza. But mushroom pizza? That's a different story."

"Mushroom pizza is king," she says, taking a bite, her eyes gleaming mischievously.

"Said no one else, ever."

Lily laughs. "I'm not sure this..." She gestures between the two of them, "...is going to work out."

Quinn laughs, too, his eyes narrowing in playful challenge. "Should I be offended that you'd throw me overboard for what is, essentially, mold?"

"Excuse me," she says, holding up the mushroom. "Mushrooms are fungi. Mold is also a fungi, but mushrooms are not mold."

Quinn grins. "Fair point. I concede."

Lily's smile is radiant. "Here's the other amazing thing about pizza: where in the world can you not find it?"

Quinn thinks for a moment, then answers with a sly smile. "Islamabad. No pizza there. Or, come to think of it, Aleppo. No pizza in Aleppo."

She arches an eyebrow. "Show off."

He chuckles. "Pizza exists wherever you can find American tourists." He gestures around the restaurant.

Lily takes a huge bite of her pizza, a pleased sound escaping her lips. "Thank God for Americans," she mumbles, her mouth full.

Quinn watches her, the warmth spreading through him like a slow burn. Thank God indeed. He could watch her eat pizza—mushrooms and all—all fucking night.

"How did it go with the police today?" He picks up his beer and takes a swig, still grinning at her.

"Mmm," Lily wipes her mouth and picks up her wine glass. "Fine. Nothing really came of it. They asked me a bunch of questions—what I was doing there, what did I see, you know, that whole 'see something, say something' thing you see at every US airport?"

He nods.

"It was like that."

Quinn smiles at her, the edges of his lips curling up. "Did they ask you to stick around?"

"They asked if I had plans to stay a few more days. I said that was my plan."

His heart soars, and it almost feels silly. But then again, maybe it's not. He's not sure, but he's willing to let himself feel it. "That's... good. I mean, great."

Lily raises an eyebrow, mischief in her eyes. "I had an ulterior motive. I like it here."

Quinn grins. "I'm glad."