Page 59 of Fairy Tale Lies
Mother and Nigel were much worse. They were critical and were obsessed with prestige. Drove Greta crazy. During her infrequent visits, they spent more time disagreeing than talking. Keeping them at arm’s length was easier.
The only person she was close to in her family was her sister. Greta cherished their relationship. Cindy could be snobbish and self-centered. However, she was also compassionate, wickedly funny, and honest to a fault.
“Earth to Greta. You in a food coma?” Will nudged her shoulder.
She dragged her lethargic gaze from the flames to Will. “Entirely possible. The food was delicious, and I couldn’t stop eating.” She leaned back and patted her stomach. “I have to say. You are an excellent cook.”
“I’d cook for you anytime, darling.” Will cast a teasing leer in her direction.
Jacob snorted, tightening his arm around Greta. “Keep your darlings to yourself.”
“Are you worried, little brother?” Will waggled his eyebrows. “You should be. I’m a great catch, handsome, and an excellent cook.”
“Uh-huh. I’m the pretty one,” Jacob drawled, smirking. “And I can cook. I just like it better when you do it.”
In Greta’s humble opinion, they were both very handsome. She imagined they must’ve driven the local girls wild. Heck, maybe still did.
“I knew it!” Will waved a finger in his brother’s direction. “You burn stuff on purpose, don’t you? Geez, if Mom could hear you now, you’d be in big trouble.” His feigned outrage was met with laughter from around the fire.
Jacob shrugged, not the least bit repentant. “I do help with cleanup…”
“Yeah, the easy part,” Will grumbled.
Jacob scanned the backyard. Greta followed his gaze. The yard was obscured in the late-night darkness. What could be seen by the fire and patio lights was a disaster. Cups and plates littered the tables.
“Not easy tonight,” he said, dropping his arm from around Greta’s shoulder and patting her knee before standing. “I should probably get started.”
She stood. “Let me help.”
Both brothers appeared stunned. Clearly shocked the spoiled socialite would lower herself to clean. She huffed, ignoring them both, gathering the dirty dishes.
Soon, everyone was pitching in, and in no time the backyard was spotless, and guests were saying their goodbyes. To Greta’s surprise, Uncle Marty gave her a parting hug and invited her and Jacob to his place for dinner.
Before heading inside the house, she and Jacob stopped by the garage. ThreePence was breaking down their equipment and loading their van. Tanner came over, and, after catching up and telling a couple more funny neighborhood stories, he asked Jacob to take a look at a malfunctioning guitar.
Tanner had mentioned earlier the band was due to play in Chicago the following night, and they planned on making most of the drive after leaving Jacob’s. Greta didn’t want to be in the way, and she wandered into the house, figuring she’d head back to her dad’s after Jacob finished helping his friend. She didn’t want to leave him, but it was getting late, and she didn’t want to overstay her welcome.
Sliding open the back door, she stepped into a small utility room and spotted Will in the kitchen. He was at the sink, hand washing the items too big for the dishwasher. She stood beside him, grabbing a dish towel from the stove’s handle. “Let me help.”
Will handed her a large frying pan. “Thanks, though it’s not necessary. Where’s Jacob?”
“Trying to fix something with Tanner’s guitar.” She dried the pan and set it on the rack taking the grilling tongs from Will. “And I want to help. You cooked all the fantastic food. This is the least I can do.”
“Many people brought a dish to pass, and I had help,” he replied modestly.
“What? Jacob flipping a couple of burgers?” Greta scoffed. She cut a side glance at Will, smiling. “Andhe was very gracious about it.”
A sharp bark of laughter escaped Will. “I can’t imagine why—”
Greta shook her head. “Uh, no. I’m not buying what you’re selling. Your oh-so-innocent expression reminds me of my sister when she’s being mischievous.”
“Oh yeah? Do you have only the one sister or a bunch, but is one particularly good at needling you?”
“One sister, and she has an incredible talent for goading me.” Greta accepted a dripping platter and began drying it. “I’m older, by three years. We are opposite in appearance and temperament yet, despite this, or maybe because of it, we’re close.”
“I know what you mean. Jacob and I couldn’t be more different. Yet, he’s the one I trust above anyone.” Will’s gaze shifted to the dishwater. “To be honest, I couldn’t have survived without him.”
She wondered if Will was referring to his troubled past, but didn’t want to overstep by asking. “You Grimm men seem pretty tight-knit.”
