If her discomfort were connected to the spicy book talk, she’d say so. Because she has. Every time before.
This is something else.
Something…
Unusual. Strange.Interesting.
“But anyway—” Granee smiles at me—a futile attempt to draw my gaze off the odd-behaving members of the club. “—we’re hogging. What have you been reading lately, August?”
Now,thatlittle comment steals my attention.
I drag it toward mysweetgrandmother, who has just asked me what I’ve beenreading…even though as far assheknows the pretty boy she tried to set me up with has been staying up the road from me with my brother. There’s no way in the world she’d care more about what I’mreadingover whether or not pretty boy and I have crossed paths again since, like fated lovers.
That means three out of the four members of this book club are acting out of character.
I grin. “Oh, you know. This and that in between writing. I’m working on a vampire story right now. It’s been lots of fun.” Sourced from real life, even. “But I’m actually not here to talk about books.”
Mirabelle’s eyes dart toward the slatted, bifold closet doors on the other side of the room, and Beth squishes her hand.
Ooh?Fun.
“Oh?” Granee lifts her teacup to her lips. “Do share.”
“Well, if I’m to be perfectly honest—” Mirabelleflinches. “—I’m here to bully you, specifically, Grandmother dear,” I say. “Or perhaps I should say I’m here tobully you publicly, as I’m certain Beth and Mirabelle will take my side, and I might just need their help.”
Granee coughs into her tea while mydear alliespale.
“Us?” Mirabelle squeaks.
“Yes.” I turn a radiant smile on the two of them. “You see, within the past month, I gave my grandmother a bindercontaining pertinent information about my perfect male lead and my perfect romance.”
“O-oh,” Mirabelle chokes out.
I turn my attention back to my beloved Granee. “I’d like it back.”
Bemused, and—for the record—anxious, Granee nowalsocuts her gaze toward the closet for half an instant. “Why?”
“I don’t trust that you won’t attempt to put it in the hands of some poor, unsuspecting individual—whom I most assuredly would not like to see it.” I absolutely do not need external input muddying the waters of the story I’m currently working on, especially if those waters were sourced directly from December.
Mirabelle makes a wholly distressed sound, then deflates, having a crisis that Beth hastens to soothe.
Granee chuckles—nervously. “Now…August…don’t be silly.”
My smile stretches as my nerves pinch. A level ofderangementtakes hold, and I flutter my lashes. “I…don’t think I’m being silly, at all.” My voice pitches and lilts. I shift my attention to Lynn, who appears stoic andnormal, apart from the rampant and obvious judgment on her face as she beholds her three companions.
She catches my eye and smiles. Correctly. Which, when it’s so clear thatsomethingis going on, terrifies me. She says, “Nevermind the binder for now. I’m certain your grandmother will get it for you the minute she’s back home. How are things going with my unfortunate almost-renter who’s staying with your brother? I’m very grateful that the situation worked out, since getting his rental situated is proving rather on the difficult side of complicated.”
Ah. Well. Look at that.
A plot hole.
I might actually throw up.
Howthrilling.
Chewing my cheek, I say, “Oh. Well. I should actually be asking you how my brother’s rental is doing, what with the faulty wiring and all. I don’t mean to be…” I hum. “Anxious? But, I don’t know. Would it at all be possible to call Micheal in to take a look at my wiring, too? I’d hate for more fires tofurtherpush what you’re dealing with into the complicated side of difficult. A preventative measure might be cheaper in the long run since I think the buildings on that street were constructed around the same time by the same teams, weren’t they? If one has faulty wiring, the others might, too.”
Lynn, a sheerbeastapparently, does not flinch. “You make a very, very good point, dear. I’m sorry I didn’t think of it sooner. I’ll absolutely schedule Micheal to take a look.”
