Page 35 of Healer’s Betrayal

I laugh, but it sounds hollow even to my own ears. “We’re fine, Jackson.” I take a step backwards; I need to get back in there. “I’m heading back in.” He doesn’t seem surprised by my words, and I pause uncertainly, “Are you coming back in?”

“Yeah, I will in a minute.”

“You’d better hurry before we eat all your pizza,” I warn, but he doesn’t crack a smile.

“Go for it,” he says in response.

I watch him a moment longer and then head inside. I don’t really know what to make of it all. He’s definitely making a big deal of nothing. Noah and I may not have an abundance, but we’re making it. When I get back to the table, Noah’s anxious eyes meet mine. I smile and slide into the booth. “You’d better not have eaten all my pizza.”

“If we did, we’ll never confess,” Ransom says, taking a big bite of pizza. “Will we, Noah?”

I continue with my second piece of pizza; it’s just as delicious as the first piece. I finish it and start on the breadstick and then finish with the salad. I push my plate forward and meet Noah’s eyes. “Ready for round two?” He nods. “Let’s go.” Ransom slides out, so Noah can get out. “You want us to grab anything for you, Ransom?”

“No, you two go on ahead. I’ll be going back up in just a minute.”

Noah and I head up to the buffet. “Which kind is your favorite so far?” I ask Noah.

“The sausage and pepperoni.”

“Of course.” He’s a meats kid. He grabs another piece of sausage and pepperoni, and I grab a piece of chicken, bacon, and ranch pizza that looks amazing. I grab another breadstick and sauce. Then, for good measure, I grab a piece of the taco pizza they just put out. Noah’s eyes widen at my loaded plate, causing me to smile. “What? I’m hungry.” We walk back to our table, and I look up to see Jackson headed our way. I slide into the booth, and Jackson slides in next to me.

“How’s the pizza?” he asks, acting as if nothing is wrong, as if he didn’t just leave us at the table for a few minutes.

“It’s really good,” I tell him.

“Great,” Noah says.

Jackson nods. “Good.”

I take a bite of the taco pizza. “Oh, good grief.” I close my eyes and savor what has to be the best pizza I’ve ever tasted. When I open my eyes, I take in the three sets of eyes focused on me. “What? It’s really good. Did you guys try the taco pizza? It’s amazing.”

“Taco pizza?” Jackson asks, making a face. “I didn’t even know that was a thing.”

“Right? It’s seriously amazing. Don’t knock it till you try it.”

He makes another face. “I’m good. I think I’ll stick to normal kinds of pizzas.”

“What? Like supreme?” I push.

He frowns, and Ransom lets out a small laugh. I look over at him. “Jackson wouldn’t touch a supreme pizza with a ten-foot pole.”

“Why?” I ask, curious.

“Yeah, Jackson. Why?” Ransom asks with a wry grin.

I don’t miss the scowl Jackson sends him. “I don’t like vegetables,” he finally admits.

“You mean you don’t like vegetables on your pizza?” I ask.

“No. I don’t like vegetables. Period.”

I stare at him. “None?”

He turns to me. “None.”

“Not even carrots? Corn on the cob? Red peppers? Onions?”

He gives me an unimpressed look. “None.”