The doorbell at Tito's Pizza rang for the fourth time in the last half hour. William was behind the counter, taking calls for orders, while Layla organized the orders along with Lucas. It was another hectic day at the pizzeria, but it had become routine for them.
- William, hurry up with those orders or our pizzas will get cold! Lucas shouted from the kitchen, in his usual I'm-your-boss-but-I'm-telling-you-as-a-friend tone.
- Yeah, yeah, I'm coming, boss! -replied William, rolling his eyes as he tied his boot laces before heading out to make a delivery.
- Always late... -I sometimes wonder how you manage to stay in this job, who are you bribing?
William, while adjusting his delivery helmet, gave her a smug smile.
- Sofia, my only bribe is my irresistible charm, -he put his hand to his chest in a theatrical pose of drama- besides, we can't all be as perfect as you, the cash register queen.
Sophia, a 19-year-old with boundless energy, just laughed. She and William had a relationship full of jokes and sarcasm since they met on their first day, which made the long hours of work more entertaining.
- Come on, Will," Layla said with a smile as she organized the boxes at the delivery station, "stop wasting time and go out and deliver, we don't want unsatisfied customers.
William watched her for a second. Layla, with her bright pink hair pulled back in a ponytail, moved efficiently as she organized the orders. The navy blue uniform with the Tito Pizza logo fit her perfectly, and her energy always brought the place to life.
- Sure, graduate, I'm flying. I don't want you to stress, it would be a sin with that pretty face," William joked, knowing his comment would get her attention.
Layla was quick to respond, frowning and with her hands on her hips.
- Please stop flattering me or you'll end up being late, -she gently pushed him towards the door- now, get to work!
With one last smile, William left the pizzeria, hopping on his motorcycle to make his round of deliveries. The cool evening air greeted him, clearing a little of the bustle of the shop. As he rode through the city streets, he couldn't help but think about how routine his life at Tito's Pizza had become. Each day was pretty much the same as the last: banter with Layla, small arguments with Sofia and Lucas making sure everything was under control.
In the middle of his thoughts, his phone vibrated. It was a text from Layla.
Layla: "Will! Make sure you deliver the pizza on time or you'll earn a scolding from Lucas. XD"
William laughed, knowing Layla always found a way to remind him of the little things and quickly replied:
William: "Yeah, yeah. I don't want to disappoint my secret boss."
As he made the deliveries, William reflected on how he had gotten to that point in his life. He had left college to find something more "real," but here he was, working at a pizza place and joking around with his best friend, Layla, who now had a degree in graphic design, although she also worked there.
After several deliveries, William returned to Tito's Pizza. The place was still as lively as when he left it. Sofia was serving a customer who seemed undecided about his order.
- A family pizza with extra cheese or one with pepperoni and mushrooms? -Sofia asked patiently, as the customer scratched his chin.
- Harder to choose a pizza than a college degree, huh? -William muttered under his breath as he walked past them, just loud enough for Sofia to hear.
- You see, Will? -Sofia replied, tapping him gently on the shoulder as she smiled- you're not the only one who makes tough choices in life.
William laughed and walked over to Layla, who was in the kitchen checking the oven. Even though the heat was unbearable in that part of the restaurant, Layla never seemed to lose her energy.
- How are the pizzas coming? -William asked, leaning against the kitchen door.
- Same as always, hot and delicious," she replied with a smile, "You, on the other hand, look like you've just run a marathon.
William shrugged his shoulders.
- It's a hero's job Layla, someone has to keep the city well fed.
Layla shook her head, though an amused smile tugged at her lips.
- If you deliver pizzas as fast as you make jokes, you'd be the best delivery boy in the world.
Before William could respond, Lucas appeared behind them with a serious gesture.
- Can someone tell me why we're so behind on orders? -He asked in a slightly serious tone, "Come on, guys, there are pizzas that need to be delivered!
Layla quickly straightened up, pretending to be busier than she was, while William held up his hands in innocence.
- I'm just following orders, boss, it's Layla who's late with the pizzas! -said William, causing Layla to glare at him.
- Sure, blame it on me," she replied, crossing her arms, 'if you'd let me do my job without interruption, the pizzas would be at the customers' doorsteps before they knew it.
Lucas watched the scene with a slight smile.
- Okay, okay, I don't want to be part of this fight. But you know, if there are problems with deliveries, you two are going to have to stay overtime to sort it out.
They both nodded and got down to business.
The afternoon passed smoothly, with the bustle of customers coming and going, and employees joking with each other to ease the workload. It was a rhythm they all knew well, but that didn't mean there wasn't room for a few moments of fun.
Near the end of the shift, as the pizzeria was beginning to empty, Sofia seized the moment to approach William and Layla with a mischievous grin.
- You've noticed, haven't you? -she asked, as she organized the empty boxes.
- Noticed what? -William asked, raising an eyebrow.
- Really, you haven't noticed? -insisted Sofia, looking at both of them mischievously- There's something between you two, come on the way you look at each other and talk to each other.
Layla and William looked at each other for a second, surprised by the comment, before William burst out laughing.
- What are you talking about, Sofia? -He said, while laughing-Layla and I are just best friends.
Layla, while also smiling, couldn't help but feel a little flutter in her stomach.
- Yes, Sofia," she added, trying to sound nonchalant, "we're just friends.
Sofia shrugged, but her smile didn't disappear.
- Whatever you say... but I'll keep watching, the stakes are on the table.
As the pizzeria closed for the night, William couldn't help but think about Sofia's words. Was there really something more between him and Layla? And if there was... what did that mean for them?