“Bizzy?” Mackenzie’s voice pulls me back. “Are you listening?” she snaps. “People are speaking to you. Pay attention.”
“Always,” I say with a manufactured smile, which is something I’ve gotten very good at over the years when it comes to Mackenzie.
The party is getting louder now, the music cranks up another notch because of it, and someone shouts for s’mores supplies. Kids run past shrieking about sparklers while the smell of citronella candles mixes with sunscreen and grilled meat.
It’s almost peaceful if you ignore the undercurrent of tension radiating from Mackenzie’s so-called friends.
“So, Bizzy,” Brittany starts, and I brace myself. “Mackenzie mentioned you solve homicides? Or are you the killer?”
Her eyes glitter with glee at the homicidal dig, and I take a deep breath because something tells me this is just a sneak preview of what the entire next week will be like.
And if I’m right, I might just be moved to kill indeed.
CHAPTER 3
Ican’t believe Brittany just asked if I was a killer—or less offensively, if I solved homicides.
I cringe a little at the thought as the Cider Cove Seaside Social continues to rage all around us.
I mean it’s true, I do solve homicides. But it’s something I very much wish wasn’t true. And also, why in the world would Mackenzie mention that of all things to a group of women she’s clearly trying to impress. Unless, of course, she’s also trying to keep them in line via loosely veiled threats that involve the Grim Reaper.
A nervous laugh bubbles from me. “I don’t set out to solve?—”
“She stumbles into them,” Mackenzie corrects with a tight smile. “Frequently. It’s a problem.”
More like she attracts them from what I’ve heard,Brittany thinks with a smirk.This is gold. Small-town innkeeper with a body count. The engagement will be insane. And don’t think for a minute that I’ll be sleeping on this.
Wonderful. Thanks for the warning.
I can’t help but frown at her.
“How fascinating.” Brittany’s eyes light up like flares. “Like a real-life murder mystery podcast. Do you ever worry that you’re, you know, the common denominator?”
The question hangs in the air like a set of sharp, pointy teeth. And boy, does Brittany ever know how to bite.
“I’m just observant when it comes to solving a homicide,” I say a little too quickly. “And I have terrible luck.”
Historically speaking, that’s been wildly accurate.
“Terrible luck or a terrible habit?” Brittany laughs with the jab. “I’d love to interview you sometime. For my podcast. I do a whole series on interesting people in overlooked places.”
“Overlooked places?” I repeat in horror and resist the urge to show her the exit. Although I don’t know why I’m so horrified. These women aren’t hiding who they really are.
She nods. “You know. Small towns. Rural areas. Places where ambition goes to—well, no offense, die.”
My mouth falls open yet again.
The redhead, Blaire, shakes her head at me like I’m to be pitied.She has no idea what real ambition looks like,she thinks, examining her manicure.None of them do. Playing small in a small town. How tragic.
I gasp at the thought, and even though it was just that, it was rude all the same.
Mackenzie makes a noise like a kettle about to boil. “Listen, Brit. A small town is not where ambition goes to die. And let’s stop pretending that the barb you just cast wasn’t meant for me. I’m done playing nice with you and the gloves are coming off. The only thing that is going to die around here is your malevolent attitude towards meand I’m going to kill it myself!”
Brittany gasps and gags. “Did you hear that, everyone? The mayor of Cider Cove just threatened to kill me!” she shouts at top volume, but the party is raging around us and not a single head turns this way—outside of those heads in our circle. And honestly? They don’t look all that surprised by Mackenzie’s homicidal outburst either.
Brittany steps in dangerously close to Mackenzie. She’s a brave one, I’ll give her that.
“Listen up, Brunette Barbie, and listen good,” she starts. “It’s not my fault you couldn’t make it out in the real world and chose to wilt in a corner of the sleepiest town in Maine.”
