Page 56 of The Write Off

They certainly do. It’s the most educated town in the entire country, a fact my father loves to tell whoever will listen.

“I had some really great teachers growing up. I considered pursuing Education once I got my Bachelor’s Degree, but I got recruited by one of my professors to work on the campus newsletter during my first year. That led to opportunities with different publications and introduced me to some people in the industry.”

“Have you worked on any books we may have heard of?” Betty pipes up from across the table. Given the way she’s been looking between Rilla and I and smiling, I’m counting her as an ally as well. Even if her boyfriend doesn’t seem that keen on me. I’m not reading flat out hostility from him, just extreme wariness. I feel him watching me, like I’m planning on making a mad dash for the exit.

“The last number of years I’ve worked almost exclusively on mysteries and thrillers. Have you read anything by Stuart Maxwell or Martha Vaughn?”

The clang of Mr. Pine’s fork hitting his plate makes everyone at the table freeze. “I’ve read everything by Stuart Maxwell. He’s my favorite author.”

This appears to be a golden opportunity to win over the man who currently views me as the philanderer that’s defiling his only daughter and I would be a fool not to take it.

“I’ve worked with him on Highway Runner and everything he’s written since. We met just this week about his current manuscript.”

“The one that’s coming out in May? I feel like I’ve been waiting forever for that one. But I suppose he only released Death Rattle in November.”

“No, we’re working on the one that is due for release just before Christmas. Midnight Graves comes out in May.”

“Does the Hangman killer from Deadman’s Noose really come back in it? There have been rumors on a few of the Johnny North sites I follow, but nothing has been confirmed.” Watching a man in his late fifties turn into a fanboy at the drop of a hat is really something.

“I don’t want to spoil anything,” I say, leaning in conspiratorially, “but I can get you an advanced copy, if you’d like.”

And just like that, I’ve got a new best friend.

Relaxing a bit, like I’ve passed some sort of test, I sit back and observe the family reunion. It’s almost unreal to behold, and if I wasn’t right here, listening to their conversations and watching them interact, I’m not sure I’d believe it. I feel like I’m on the set of one of those nineties family sitcoms and all that’s missing is the laugh track. The mom dotes on the kids, the brother and sister bicker back and forth, and the dad sits back, taking it all in stride.

But even through the teasing and the eye rolling, the love is palpable. A meal with my family, even before we lost Eric, has never felt anything remotely this relaxed and enjoyable, and suddenly I feel very lonely.

As if sensing how I feel, Rilla rests her hand on mine and I entwine our fingers together under the table. She relaxes against my arm and all feelings of loneliness vanish.

“How old are you, Logan?” Josh asks, seemingly out of the blue. It’s the first time he’s addressed me directly since we were introduced, and while his tone isn’t antagonistic, I wouldn’t call it friendly.

“I’m thirty-two,” I answer, not missing the “what the hell?” look Rilla throws him. I get that the guy hasn’t warmed to me, but he can’t seriously be making an issue of the five-year age difference between his sister and myself.

“Play any sports?”

“What’s with the interview questions, Josh? You don’t need to check his references. He’s already got the job.”

“I’m just trying to get to know the guy,” he says, easily enough.

“It’s okay,” I assure Rilla, then turn back to Josh. “I played basketball in high school.”

This interests him. “Were you any good?”

“No, not really. But what I lacked in skill and talent I made up for in height.”

The corners of his mouth turn up at that. “I play with some friends once a week in an informal rec league. It’s really casual. You should join us sometime.”

I haven’t held a basketball in fourteen years, but this might be the only olive branch I get from him and I do not want to put further strain on Rilla’s relationship with her only sibling. “That sounds like fun. Count me in.”

Rilla’s mom starts asking Betty about her job and family as everyone finishes their meals and continues catching up.

“You don’t really need to play basketball with my brother if you don’t want to,” Rilla says quietly enough that only I can hear her. Naturally, she ordered pancakes and I can smell the maple syrup on her breath. If we weren’t with her family, I don’t think I could resist kissing her sweet lips.

“I want to,” I say, my mouth brushing her ear. “I should get to know him since I plan on being around for a while.”

She shivers against me and squeezes my hand. “When was the last time you were even on a basketball field?”

“It’s called a court and you know it.” We’re grinning at one another and holding back laughter when her mom speaks up.

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