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.