Fat Cat Liar

“Nope!” Bessie shakes her head.

“Not a chance,” Jonas coughs out.

“Nada,” Enrique states.

“I’d have to kill you, and it would suck to lose such a brilliant mind,” I tell her lightheartedly. Well, kind of, because if she included my name on her research, I would want to strangle her.

“I’ll never understand your modesty. It’s pretty special to have this level of accomplishment at our ages.” Jenny throws her hands in the air.

“We’ll let you take the spotlight for all of us, Dr. Dennis.” I pat her shoulder and catch my dad’s smirk. He is usually the only one who calls her Dr. Dennis.

Ricardo comes over with our order, which is always the same. Our little clique has been coming here since we all relocated after graduation. It’s also convenient since I live across the street.

He surprises us all by planting two loud, smacking kisses on Jenny’s cheeks. Without a word, he rushes back to the counter.

“Okay, Little G, I believe you had some news to celebrate as well. Tell us.” Enrique points to me.

I shoot him an evil glare at the use of the ridiculous nickname. His cocky grin grows wider.

“I’ll let it go because my excitement is at an all-time high. I have two pieces of news. Do you all remember the client I helped last May, the referral from the head of Oncology at Columbia University?”

My dad leans in, indicating he knows exactly who I’m referring to. “The young woman who came to you on the verge of suicide?”

“She wasn’t seriously thinking of ending her life; she was confused and scared. Her cancer took away her dream of having children. It was a momentary lapse in faith, but she quickly bounced back.”

I reach over and cover his hand with mine, squeezing tight. “She’s getting a baby, Dad. The adoption is going through now, and they are expecting a healthy baby boy in October.” I tell them about the email I received and the specifics.

“Annnnnddddd, my other news is…” I draw out the next announcement, building the anticipation. “I’m considering hiring Haley as a full-time employee.”

“Hell yeah!” Bessie and Jenny shout together.

“That is wonderful.” Dad agrees with them.

There’s a fresh round of smiles and questions as I tell them about my conversation with Haley. All of them approve of the choice, especially Dad. He sends a message to his VP of HR and arranges a phone call.

“Well, it’s funny you should bring up business.” Dad pushes his coffee to the middle of the table and clears his throat. “I’ve been wrestling with an issue at work, and the way I see it, there’s only one solution.”

He moves his gaze around the table, locking eyes with everyone for a split second before returning his attention to me. There’s a mischievous glint in his stare, and a familiar thrill stirs in the pit of my stomach.

He doesn’t have to say anything. We all know what he’s hinting at.

“Yes,” Jonas says.

“Absolutely,” Bessie, Jenny, and I all say.

Enrique claps his hands and rubs them together, a crooked smile curving on his lips. “Looks like it’s unanimous. The N

erd Herd is back in action!”

Chapter 2

Lawson

“You fucked up, Lawson, but you’ve come this far. Now’s not the time to lose your temper,” I mumble under my breath and straighten my tie, inhaling deeply.

The instant I open the boardroom door, all eyes are on me. Beads of sweat form on the back of my neck, trickling down as I fight the urge to clench my fists. My grandfather glares at me with a mixture of disappointment and concern, his gaze holding mine until I slip into the seat across from him at the table.

I try to appear calm, reclining slightly, and linking my hands to rest on my stomach. I make sure to lock eyes with all four men before speaking. “I take full blame.”