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We keep the conversation light until the food comes. The massive rib eyes are sizzling, and the baked potatoes belching out steam, with sides of butter and sour cream for each.

The steaks are done right, caramelized along the fat and with plenty of seasoning. Even the green beans are great, still a little crispy and drowning in butter and garlic.

That’s one of the best things about small towns and Ruth’s in particular. You know what to expect. The quality always stays the same and people know your name.

It’s light years better than White Plains, New York. Most of the kids on the team I coach aren’t happy to be there either. Some of them are, of course, those with the talent totake them far away and the diligence to make their skills work for them.

But the others are only eager to get back to their phones.

They won’t care about the open spaces and the privacy of places like Holly Brook. They want the details of their lives splattered across their social media accounts.

I dig into the rib eye with a smile, the knife slicing easily through the tender meat. The first bite is pure heaven. I swoon and fall back in the booth.

“Yes, this.” I point to the steak. “This is what we needed.”

Liquor provides that delicious fever in my veins. It lowers the barriers in my brain and makes every bite of food taste better. It makes the jokes funnier as it dulls my mind.

“What happened at work yesterday?” I ask Tase.

He shrugs. Funny how I only now notice how he’s done his hair tonight, slicking it back and away from the creases of his forehead. Who ishetrying to impress?

The dude doesn’t give a shit how mangy he looks when we go out. At least, he hasn’t before.

“Typical bullshit. Saving lives. That’s what happened.”

“You lost a good worker, I’m told.”

“If bygood workeryou mean someone who barely managed to answer the phone and check in clients while alternately going queasy at the drop of a hat, then yes,” Tase agrees. “I lost a good worker.”

“He’s talking about Gilli, dumbass,” Soren snaps at Tase, his attention on his plate.

I don’t miss the way Tase flinches slightly. “What about her?” he asks carefully.

“She came to work for you yesterday, it seems. Or at least that was her excuse when she got home,” I clarify for the good of all.

Soren draws up sharply at the word.Home.

Tase sniffs, lifts a green bean, inspects it. “What’s your point? If you already know one of my girls quit, leaving meshort-handed, then you shouldn’t be surprised to hear how Gilli stepped in to help. Seems like it’s her personality.”

“She does tend to demand attention, doesn’t she?” I say around a bite of potato. “She gets in your face and won’t back down until someone physically removes her.”

Tase instantly jumps to her defense. “She’s a good helper. I wouldnothave been able to finish my day if she hadn’t randomly showed up when she did.”

I tap my fingers against the table. “It makes you wonder about her story.” Maybe the others heard something about her, something I don’t know yet. “Why she’s here and what’s going on with her.”

“What a problem she poses, you mean,” Soren replies.

His knife skids across the table and he ducks his head to hide his expression.

Yup, sure, heard it before.

“What do we know? She’s working on her vet shit, no offense, Tase, but what brought her to Holly Brook?” I press.

“It’s her story to tell when she’s ready, and she's clearly not ready to tell it yet.” Tase shrugs again before spearing through a mass of beans and bringing them all to his lips.

“Except her presence is an issue. The sooner she leaves, the better it will be for us.”

A moment of silence trickles by after Soren’s remark.