Page 60 of Buried in the Woods Below

“Mom, I told you not to.”

“I know. But what they’ve done to you is unfair. I won’t stand by.”

I tug the napkin onto my lap. Vivek’s face flashes before me. “What did you say?”

“I explained your situation and asked him to help get you reinstated.”

“And?”

“He said he’d prioritize it.”

I knock back the rest of my drink. The vodka hums behind my eyes.

Olivia leans over and whispers. “She’s just trying to help.”

She’s right. If you’re the CEO of a major client and you ask The Firm to reinstate someone, they do it.

I manage a smile. “You’re still in trouble, but…thank you.”

Mom bows her head slightly. “You’re welcome.”

Eric returns with curly fries and toppings. “Dinnertime.”

The twins squeal and chant, “Curly fries! Curly fries!”

Eric gives in to the terrorists and serves the girls first, then us. They dive in, mouths smeared with ketchup and cheese. He takes a sip of his bootleg and leans back.

“Damn, that’s good,” he says.

Penelope gasps. “Daddy! You said a bad word!”

“Oops. I meant ‘darn,’” he says, winking at me. “All right, dig in. Tell me what you think.”

I take a bite and nearly moan. The beef, the lava cheese, the seasoning. It’s perfect.

“Eric, this is unreal.”

“Best cheeseburger I’ve ever had,” Mom agrees.

Olivia smirks. “It’s…okay.”

Eric beams like a kid who aced his science fair. “Thanks. A friend of mine at Matt’s Grill taught me the recipe. Unfortunately, Laelynn’s off red meat these days, so I don’t make them often.”

Just the mention of her name cools the air.

“You can make these daily, as far as I’m concerned,” I say.

He cuts another burger and hands me half. “Don’t tempt me.”

For ten blissful minutes, we eat in near silence. Eric devours his meal like a man who’s been fasting. When he finishes, he leans back and rubs his belly, satisfied.

“Charlotte,” he says, “how was your walk? Find anything for the collection?”

The peace fractures.

“It was good,” I say, voice rising.

Eric raises an eyebrow. “That didn’t sound good.”