Page 172 of Happily Never After

Kyle was engaging Charlie in a spirited discourse about ethics. Nicole was unconscious, drooling slightly into his shoulder. Mindy typed something on her tablet.

Most of the people she loved were in one place, and they were safe.

Claire set the plates and cutlery down and returned to the kitchen.

“Hi.” She slipped behind Luke and wrapped her arms around him. She was beyond exhausted, but he felt like home.

“Hi, yourself.” He dragged her out from behind him and pressed her against the countertop. He kissed her deeply, slowly. A warmth rose in her from her toes to the top of her head. Eventually they broke apart. There was a smudge of waffle mix on his cheek, and she brushed it away. They were awfully lucky to both be alive.

“What are you going to do now that we’re not devoting so much of our free time to bringing down ESA?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Make a documentary about it. Obviously.”

Claire smiled. He hadn’t even had his premiere yet, and already the next doc was in the works. Classic Luke.

“Maybe you should make a happy one after all this miserable true crime.” Would he ever grow tired of taking a lens to the darkest side of humanity?

He raised his eyebrows. “Documentaries are not typically considered a ‘happy’ genre.”

“I guess that’s why I don’t watch them,” she teased. “Except yours of course. Are these ready to go out?” She picked up a plate of waffles in one hand and strips of bacon in the other.

“Don’t drop them,” he said sternly, waggling a spatula at her.

“I won’t.” She bumped the backdoor open and stepped outside.

The sun was shining. Fresh, hot waffles were in hand. Her family and friends were gathered around her. The only thing that was missing was?—

“Claire Aurora Hartley!” Alice Alejo’s voice boomed across the yard. A suitcase lay on its side in the grass. Roy stood behind her, eyeing a hole in Luke’s fence.

“Mom!” Startled, she nearly dropped the plates. She set them down on the table and hurried to embrace her mother. “What are you doing here?”

“Both of my babies are involved in a dangerous FBI sting operation and I don’t even get a phone call?”

Charlie sheepishly approached and hugged Alice on the other side.

“We didn’t want to worry you. Besides, for once we weren’t really the ones in danger.”

Alice reeled like Charlie had punched her. “Not in danger? Charlotte, you were working for a homicidal cult leader for two years.”

Charlie waved a hand. “It’s LA, Mom. Everyone’s a homicidal cult leader.”

“And you,” Alice said, rounding on Brianna. “You poor, dear girl. How are you?” She perched on the six inches of space that was left on the picnic bench and drew Brianna into a tight hug.

Luke, who had apparently heard the commotion and came outside, shook Roy’s hand and began a conversation about the fence. Alice sprayed something over Brianna, which must have settled on Nicole because she woke up with a violent sneeze.The gate that led to the street opened suddenly. Claire grabbed a butter knife off the table and jabbed it in the direction of the gate.

“Morning, everyone,” a sweet female voice said. Heather nudged the gate open and tugged a wagon laden with coffee drinks and pastries behind her. “Boss,” she said, handing Claire the first cup.

“Heather! I’m so glad to see you. What brings you out at this hour?”

“Mindy briefed me on what happened last night. I thought you could use some comfort food.”

“You are a godsend.”

“Let’s hope,” Heather said with a smile as she tugged the wagon over to the table and began unloading.

What a day. ESA’s leader turned out to be a rapper whose most quotable song chorus included three separate references to women as “hoes.” Her entire family—including stepparents—was gathered together for brunch. Alice was fussing over the illegitimate love child that ended her marriage. Their brand-new employee was showering them with thoughtful carbs. It was a truly bizarre day. And yet, it was just about perfect.

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

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