The second Maeve set the plate down in front of me, I forgot everything else.
It was perfect. No, beyond perfect. The thick, juicy burger sat between a golden, buttered bun, the melted cheddar cascading over the seared patty like a slow, delicious landslide.
Crisp lettuce, ruby-red tomato slices, and just the right amount of sauce completed the masterpiece. Beside it, the fries glistened, golden and crispy, piled high like a treasure trove of carbs and salt.
I was starving. My stomach growled so loudly that I was pretty sure Maeve heard it because she gave me a smug, knowing look as she sat across from me.
I did not care.
Without hesitation, I grabbed the burger with both hands and took a huge, desperate bite.
Immediate mistake.
The moment my teeth sank into it, a flood of flavors hit me—smoky, savory beef, the sharpness of cheddar, the crunch of lettuce, and the tang of the sauce—but also, molten lava cheese.
