She looked nervous as hell, both hands raised to her lips as if she might just decide to close her eyes right now and pray.
Joe’s brows came together in a frown, his head nodding furiously up and down. His gaze met Victoria’s. “Fantastic. Rico, man, what do you think?”
Rico had sauce on the corners of his mouth. “Best pizza I’ve ever had, boss.”
The relief and happiness on Victoria’s face made Eric smile.
She turned to him. “What do you think?”
He took a bite, the tang and spice exploding across his tongue, the thick crust both chewy and crisp. “Wow.”
That’s all he could manage before a second bite found its way onto his fork and into his mouth and then a third and a fourth.
Joe laughed. “I think he likes it.”
Taylor turned to Lexi, spoke with his mouth full. “Now I understand why you complain so much.”
A horrified look came over Lexi’s face, her gaze darting to Rico and then Joe. “I donotcomplain.”
“Yes, you do,” Eric and Taylor said at the same time.
“It’s okay, Lexi,” Joe said, a smile somewhere beneath his beard. “You’re getting married in a couple of days, so I’ll let you off the hook. Also, you’re right. This is a lot better than what we serve. I’m not sure you can even compare the two. Victoria, thanks for taking the time this morning. It’s settled. Your meals and drinks are on the house for the rest of your stay in Scarlet. If you ever need a job…”
Everyone laughed.
“Hey, I’m not kidding.”
The smile on Victoria’s face seemed to light up the world. “Thanks, Joe.”
While Joe and Rico started strategizing with Victoria about how they could add Victoria’s recipe to the menu, everyone else feasted, until there was only one slice left.
“Who gets the pig slice?” Eric asked, tempted to take it himself.
Victoria’s head whipped around. “Can we please save it for Bear?”
Her kindness hit Eric right in the chest. “Sure. Great idea.”
Taylor leaned in and spoke for Eric’s ears only. “I hear she’s not going with us to Central City tonight. I don’t like leaving her behind.”
“She has her reasons.” Eric hoped he could change her mind.
* * *
Vic saton a bench in an aspen glade behind the inn, Lexi beside her, a nervous knot in her stomach.
“It’s going to be okay. Austin is not going to blame you or think you’re a slut.”
“Are you sure?”
Lexi laid her hand on Vic’s arm. “I know him better than anyone. Yes, I’m sure. Not everyone is as big of a jerk as James or your dad.”
That much was true.
They’d been on their way out of Knockers when Eric had asked Vic to change her mind and come with them to Central City.
Austin had piled on. “If it has anything to do with that guy in Buena Vista, just know that casinos have state-of-the-art security. Nothing will happen to you there. Besides, didn’t we have your back last time?”
She’d agreed to go if—and onlyif—Austin still wanted her to come along once he knew the truth. But she didn’t have it in her to tell the story again, so Eric had volunteered. Now, he stood in the driveway, telling Austin about the most horrible experience of her life. She couldn’t see them, which was a good thing because she’d be trying to analyze Austin’s facial expressions and body language and feeling terribly self-conscious.