Because of Lila(22)

“The killer was I think Bliss was trying to set us up.”

Larissa smiled over her cup. “She was a little late for that.”

“Yeah, and Lila—who they called Lila Kate—she didn’t say much at all. Made it real clear she hadn’t enjoyed the night before nor did she like having breakfast with me.”

“You mean she dropped the polite, proper thing?”

“Oh, no. She had that going on. She just didn’t speak to me unless forced.”

“Ouch.”

Ouch wasn’t what I was thinking. More like what the hell did I do?

“So you have no idea what we did when we walked? Where we went?”

“I was working—you know my job? Serving drinks?” Her sarcasm wasn’t lost on me.

“Maybe I can get her alone, and we can talk?”

“She staying in town that long?”

That part sucked. “No.”

Larissa shrugged. “Then let it go.”

If only I could. I didn’t want to let it go, and I didn’t want to let her go. Even if it was obvious I’d have to do both.

I gave Jilly another hug, but she was more interested in the dump truck that the little girl was fixing on television. I thanked Larissa and headed for the door.

“Please tell me if you see her again,” Larissa called out. “I gotta know what happens next.”

I rolled my eyes and closed the door behind me. That gave me a little more info, but now that I knew I left with her, I wanted to talk to her. What happened in those two hours had to do with why Lila didn’t like me today. If I’d crossed a line or something I needed to know. Apologize. Shit. Do something!

Cruz Kerrington

WHEN MY DAD calls me into his office, it is never a good thing. When he wakes me up at six in the motherfucking morning to inform me we have a tee time at six-thirty when he knows I hate golf, it’s even worse. Golfing with Woods Kerrington meant he was going to talk to me. For eighteen goddamn holes.

My mother was awake with a cup of tea in her hands looking at her computer screen while standing at the bar when I walked into the kitchen. She lowered her cup and smiled. “You look bright and chipper this morning,” she said sarcastically.