14. Willow
WILLOW
I’ve always hated when people assumed they knew me. They think that because of my size, I’m weak, timid, and will back down from a challenge or intimidation.
He said I had a shitty poker face. No, sir.
My shitty poker face is perfect because it’s all a lie.
A mask I’ve perfected over the years, having to hide who I really am.
No one knows Willow Parker even exists anymore.
She disappeared without a trace. Moved to the other half of the country, out in the middle of nowhere. New home, new family, new last name.
As I finish gathering our chips and placing everything back into the box, the waitress brings out our food. The burgers are steaming hot, and they smell delicious.
Noah hasn’t said a single word since I made him realize I had my plan set up from the beginning.
It’s why I became a master at Sequence and many strategy games.
I don’t think of how I can win the game the fastest. No, I prefer the more entertaining way to win.
I set it up so that when I win, it’s almost soul-crushing.
You let them get so close to tasting victory, then rip it away.
“Can I ask you a question?” I ask, finally breaking the silence as I pick up my burger.
“Anything.”
“Did your dad say anything to you about me after I left?” I ask, then take my first bite.
Oh. My. God.
I’ve died and gone to heaven.
We each ended up getting two burgers and cut each of them into quarters to split.
Some for now and some for later. Noah got his favorites, The Cataclysm and Purgatory.
I got The Reaper and The Judge. We got a big plate of “No Judgement” fries.
The first burger quarter I took a bite of was The Reaper.
When I say that this burger is gigantic, I’m not lying.
The actual burger patty has bacon infused in it, plus it has two slices of peppered bacon and two slices of country-fried bacon.
Yes, I said country-fried bacon. It also has this delicious whiskey-bacon-onion jam and smoked gouda.
The sauce slathered on this baby is one of their Seven Deadly Sins sauces called sloth. It tastes like maple syrup.
“He said that you’re coming back for a second interview on Tuesday. How do you like The Reaper?”
“It’s amazing. You were right, I love it here.”
“I knew you would.”
I can see the smile he tries to hide when he takes his next bite of The Cataclysm.
The Cataclysm was the one with mac-n-cheese and pulled pork. I’ve had pulled pork mac-n-cheese before, so it’s probably amazing on a burger. I can’t wait to try that one.
“Yeah. He had me set up the second interview when I was there,” I say as I pick up a quarter of The Judge.
I’m about to take a bite when Noah speaks.
“Yes, you’ll be doing your interview with me.”
I freeze mid-bite.
“This isn’t a bribe,” I quickly blurt out.
“What?” he laughs.
“I didn’t ask you to dinner to try to bribe you with the interview coming up. I didn’t know you’d be doing my interview.”
“Are you saying that if you knew I was doing your interview before texting me, you would have bribed me with more than just dinner?”
My mouth goes dry when his lips curl into a half-smirk.
“No. That’s not what I meant. I mean…”
“Chill, Willow. I was just teasing you. I was the one who invited you to lunch even before your first interview. Remember?”
I take a quick breath, then a bite of my burger. How can this man cause my emotions to flip so easily?
“True. Sorry. By the way, that’s kind of why I said no to lunch. I didn’t want you to get the wrong idea.”
“And what idea would that be?” he asks as he props his elbow on the table and rests his chin in his palm.
“That I’d be willing to bribe you to get what I want.”
“So you’re saying you don’t bribe people, but what about taking bribes?”
His voice is different now, and the way he’s looking at me…
“I don’t take bribes either,” I quickly say.
I take another bite of my burger to shut myself up. Damn, this one’s really good too.
“Shame,” he says quietly, and I almost choke on my burger.
“What?”
“I said, it’s a shame. I was going to try to bribe you to accept the position now so we can avoid a second interview and just get you hired in.”
He cuts the last burger into quarters and places one on my plate.
It’s Purgatory. The burger with the peanut butter sauce.
The full description on the menu said bacon, cheddar cheese, and a chipotle peanut butter sauce.
I can feel my face slightly shift. I’m so unsure about this one and he can tell.
“Come on, try a bite. You’ll love it.” He slides the plate closer in front of me.
“I don’t know…”
“Trust me, Willow.”
The way he says my name makes my heart race faster, and a strange sensation flows over my entire body.
I pick up the quarter of the burger. The cheese is all gooey and melted. The sauce is slathered on and drips down the side onto the plate. It smells good, but the thought of peanut butter on a burger just confuses me.
“Come on, Willow. Just. One. Bite.”
He ticks his tongue, annunciating the word bite, and it’s the final push I need.
I take a bite of Purgatory and my eyes close.
I can’t hold back the small moan from the taste of the burger.
It’s honestly probably one of the best and most confusing flavors I’ve ever tasted.
Because it shouldn’t be perfect, but it is.
“Holy shit,” I say with a mouthful of burger.
When I open my eyes, he’s leaning forward on the table with his arms crossed. I quickly cover my mouth, and Noah laughs. He’s watching me with that devilish smile of his that’s causing a warmth to spread through my chest.
“I told you that you’d love it. You just had to trust me.”