Page 20 of Take 2
Of course, it’s from that trip. Those are the only pictures that make it look like I have a life outside of work. “Perfect. But wait, wasn’t I wearing a green dress in that? I don’t wear green anymore, and certainly not if Preston Greene murders me.”
“I think it would be a perfect,I know what you did, kind of thing, actually.”
“You don’t think he’s going to get caught?” My voice goes all sad puppy, like this is really what’s going to happen.
“No, babe. There will be no evidence, and he’ll be the saddest person at your funeral. Maybe he’ll speak at it.”
That’s too far!
“I will haunt you if you let my murderer speak at my funeral. I’ll move everything around in your kitchen every night so in the mornings you always have to go on a scavenger hunt for your coffee mugs.”
“For someone so cute, you are quite evil,” James says.
“Thank you.”
“Are we still doing Cinco margaritas tonight?”
“Absolutely!” Getting a little drunk tonight might help me not realize how horrible an idea this is.
“Good. I need one last memory of us together for me to talk about in my interviews after you die.”
“I’d never leave you unprepared for such a thing.” But there are plenty of other things on my plate that are not at all prepared for my departure or potential death. “Is it unprofessional to pass on all my crap to my assistant over margaritas?”
“I think Ashleigh will appreciate that, actually.”
The suitcase hits the floorloud enough to warrant concern from my downstairs neighbor if they’re home when James pulls it off my bed. Good thing the weight limit is higher for intercontinental flights. I drop my chin in my best annoyed-at-you face that I know doesn’t hold a candle to Ashleigh’s. Not that Ashleigh is using that as we bring the bag out to my front door. She’s still in the confused stage, leaning her elbows on my kitchen counter.
“You don’t do anything just a little bit, do you?” Her eyebrows are pulled together, and she takes a sip of her margarita.
“The over-packing is all James.”
Oh,Iget the annoyed face. “That is not what I mean, and you know it.” Of course, I know it. What she means is ‘take a break’ doesn’t usually mean ‘take a surprise trip to Monaco for three weeks.’
“Plus, this bag is full of necessities.” James pulls it out of my bedroom, and we follow. “Except for the one thing.”
“That is way more necessary than most of the shoes in there.”
“What is?” Ashleigh asks.
James parks the bag by my door and turns to us with a flourish. “Miracle packed a toy as if she’ll need it with Preston there.” What was meant to serve as proof I’m not going on this trip to sleep with Preston has become something to tease me about. Of course, it has.
Ashleigh laughs into her drink. “I’m sorry, I’m just … don’t we hate him?”
“Yes.” I swing around the counter to pour tortilla chips into a bowl. “But I’m an adult. I can work with people I don’t like.”
“Fortunately, so can I.” Ashleigh winks and I throw a chip at her. “Yeah, you’re an adult all right.”
“Almost as adulty as you. Which is why I asked you to catsit.”
James slinks onto a barstool. “I’m the smart one who has feigned irresponsibility so I don’t get asked for things like that.”
“Well, Tabitha Paige and I are going to have a lovely time together.” Ashleigh rubs the cat’s neck with her foot. “And Mommy will be able to rest, and relax—”
“And bang Preston Greene.”
I glare at James. “Are youtryingto talk me out of going?” The guac is okay, but I add more salt.
“Not at all. I think you should … go. There.” James takes a not-suspicious sip of his margarita.
