Chapter 11
Jessica
Charlie
This is it. Try to be cool.
I pick up my phone and roll my eyes at Charlie’s message.
The party is finally here!
My excitement is borderline embarrassing, but I’m having too much fun with Charlie to contain it.
I check out my reflection in the full-length mirror in the corner of my new bedroom, painted a deep, moody green named blackened olive.
I tousle my carefully crafted waves, designed to give the impression I’ve been tossed around, and inspect raspberry-stained cheeks and lips, French-girl-inspired makeup.
The gods have blessed me with an eighty-five-degree sunny day, justifying plenty of skin. I’ve dressed accordingly, in a little white spaghetti-strapped top, held together with underwire and two measly little ties, and a minuscule jean skirt.
I hold the phone at arm’s length, snap a full-body selfie, and send it to him.
Jessica
You too.
Charlie
Why must I keep reminding you I’ve seen you naked?
Jessica
Oops. I keep forgetting.
Charlie
Yeah, right. That’s why you’re trying so hard.
Jessica
Hahaha… You think I’m trying?
I pocket the cell, open the door to my bedroom, and bound down the stairs as I call out, “Ready, Hales!”
In the front room, she sits on a plush, cognac leather reading chair wearing a cute little sundress with cherries, book in hand, her legs curled beneath her.
When she takes in my appearance, she sighs, swinging her legs to the floor and into white flip-flops. “Is that what you’re wearing?”
I run my hands over my bare stomach, looking down at myself. “Yeah, why? What’s wrong with it?”
She points at the ties nestled between my breasts. “Do you think it’s a good idea to spend the day drinking around the guy you had a crazy one-night stand with, wearing a top that could be stripped off you with a couple of tugs?”
I laugh. “Duh? Of course I do.”
She arches a brow. “I thought you were going to be good.”
“I am being good, but I have to make him suffer a little bit.”
She stands, the skirt of her sundress swinging around her legs. “Why do you have to make him suffer?”
“The question is, why wouldn’t I?”
Her expression creases, like she’s worried. “You said you were tired of being the center of gossip.”
Some of my excitement dims. Why do I have to keep paying for Travis and his misguided marriage proposal? “It wasn’t my fault Travis proposed to me in front of the entire town.”
“His actions aren’t your fault, but you’re not entirely innocent either.”
Defensiveness rears its ugly head. I want to debate the point. To get into an extensive argument to justify myself, but I want to forget all that today and have fun. “Fine, I’m not innocent. Happy?”
“No. It’s not about that. I’m just gently reminding you actions have consequences.”
Ugh. This is killing the vibe. “Look, I get it, but I’ve spent the last two months paying. We’re in a new place, starting a new life, with new people. Is it the end of the world to take the day off from my debt?”
She strides over, putting her hand on my arm. “That’s not what I meant at all, Jess.”
“Then why are you bringing this up now, on the way out the door?”
“You’re right. Forget I said anything.” Her fingers fall away, and she walks into the foyer, scooping up the keys from the table by the door.
Frustration sits in the pit of my stomach. The last thing I want is to walk into the unknown without my ally, so I do my best to reassure her. “My new boss is going to be there. I take my career seriously and plan on making a good impression. I’m not going have sex on the table or anything.”
She looks back at me, and I see something I don’t understand flicker across her features. “I fumbled what I was trying to say. All I wanted to do was remind you that because of the whole tailing incident, people are going to have their eyes on you and Charlie.”
Oh yeah. That. I’d forgotten.
I’ve lived a lifetime since that happened.
Charlie and I have moved on.
But Hailey is right. Everyone is still going to be looking to solve the mystery I created.
The smartest move here is to concede and keep the peace between us. “You’re right. Thanks for the reminder. I’ll remember.”
It takes us fifteen minutes to get to the Rileys’ house, which is located across the bridge on the other side of the river.
The property is three times the size of ours, with a long drive and a canopy of trees lining the way. The large white farmhouse with a wraparound porch and bountiful gardens looks like something right out of a movie.
But I can’t appreciate it because a nervous energy has now taken up residence in my stomach.
Charlie’s SUV is already parked in the driveway, along with a bunch of other vehicles, including my brother’s classic 1967 Mustang convertible.
I think about Charlie telling me to play it cool.
Hailey’s reminder to be good.
The first impression of the coworkers I haven’t worked with yet.
We climb out of our car and follow the music down a path leading to a spacious, bricked patio with an outdoor table fit for twenty and a massive umbrella. Off to the left is a basketball court and a chat area with lots of chairs centered around a fire pit.
And all of it was designed to highlight the tree-lined backyard.
The second we step into the yard, everyone stops to look at us.
Even though I’m wearing white sunglasses with blue-tinted mirrored lenses, I’m suddenly terrified everyone knows Charlie’s power over me, so I resist the screaming banshee in my head demanding I search him out.
Before the silence grows uncomfortable, Ryder calls out, “Jessica, Hailey, over here.”
I glance toward the sound of my brother’s voice, where he and Sophie are talking to two couples. One is the guy from the diner and a very pretty, petite redhead I assume is Maddie Riley.
Next to Sophie is a tall, good-looking guy with glasses and a knockout blonde with curly hair dressed in jean shorts and a tight pale-pink tube top.
The woman is seriously hot, with curves so lush they should be illegal. One look at her and a stab of something that feels suspiciously like jealousy slices through me.
But that can’t be right.
I never get jealous. Besides, there’s nothing to be jealous about.
So, she’s gorgeous. It’s not like Charlie is standing next to her.
As Hailey and I walk over, glasses guy flashes some serious dimples in our direction before placing his hand on the blonde’s waist and tugging her close. The bombshell turns her face up to his, gazing at him like he’s a big glass of lemonade on a hot summer day.
Just like that, all my muscles relax.
Hailey and I kiss Ryder and Sophie hello.
My brother makes the introductions. “This is Mitch and Maddie Riley and James and Gracie Donovan.” He holds out his arms like he’s presenting us. “Everyone, these are my sisters, Jessica and Hailey.”
Hailey offers a polite, reserved smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”
I nod at Mitch. “Hey Mitch, good to see you again.”
“You too,” he says.
When no one inquires how we know each other, I assume word of the diner made the rounds, so I turn to his wife. “Thanks so much for having us. I can’t look at one more box, so this is appreciated more than you know.”
She gives us a huge smile, her vivid green eyes filled with warmth. “It’s no trouble. I love a party, and it gives me an excuse to send my daughter to her grandma and forget about motherhood,” Maddie says.
I laugh. “You probably need this more than I do.”
“Believe me, I do,” Maddie says.
“How old is your daughter?” Hailey asks.
“Thirteen months.” Maddie tucks a lock of her long red hair behind her ear. “I’m a huge fan of your books. I can’t believe we have a famous author living in town.”
Hailey flushes because she hates to be on display. She waves her hand in dismissal. “Hardly famous.”
James Donovan gestures at Maddie. “My sister turned me on to your books. They’re real page-turners. I’m a forensic anthropology professor, and your research is impeccable.”
“No way.” Hailey’s voice goes up a notch as her blue eyes widen. “Wait? Are you the Professor James Donovan?”
He looks absolutely delighted. “Um, yes.”
In an excited tone, Hailey says, “Oh my god, I’ve read your papers. I used ‘Thermal Damage in Skeletal Remains: Distinguishing Accidental vs. Intentional Burning in Homicides’ and ‘The Role of Perimortem Trauma Analysis in Cold Case Homicide Investigations,’ as a primary source for Burn Marks.”
His wife flutters thick, dark lashes that highlight her sky-blue eyes. “My husband, the rock star of the forensic world.”
His fingers climb up her back and curl around the nape of her neck before he kisses her temple. “I know this is difficult for you, but you’ll live.”
She puffs out her lips in a pout. “Is this how you feel?”
“All the time.” He chuckles before saying to Hailey, “I’m honored.”
I give James Donovan a sly smile. “When she asks, I’d advise you not to give her your number or else she’ll stalk you down for information.” I drape my arm around her. “She might look wholesome, but when it comes to murdery things, she loses all reason.”
“I’m not that bad.” Hailey looks around sheepishly then shrugs. “I’ll admit, I’d love to talk to you, I’m working on this idea—”
“See what I mean?” I tug her back before she goes too far down a rabbit hole.
A flush stains high on her cheeks. “I, um, didn’t mean right now.”
Everyone laughs.
Then a male voice says from behind me, “There’s my new city attorney.”
I turn to see Griffin Strong and his wife Darcy standing there.
I shift right into work mode, holding out my hand. “Mayor Strong, it’s lovely to see you again.”
The entirely too handsome mayor of Revival shakes my outstretched palm, a huge, charming grin on his face that explains a lot about his success as a politician. “Griffin. It’s a party, so I insist you forget all about my being your boss.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Well, I can’t entirely forget, but I’ll do my best.”
Griffin laughs. “Fair enough.”
I shift my attention to the woman beside him. “Great to see you again, Darcy.”
“You too.” Darcy looks ridiculously good in a romper that matches her eyes.