Page 49 of Spying Under the Mistletoe
The only way this could be more awkward? If I were standing here naked.
“So when did this all come about?” The skepticism in her tone has been dialed up like a burner on the stove cranked to high heat.
“Last night.” Going with the truth never hurts.
She nods, clearly waiting for me to elaborate.
“We…we went out for dinner. Together. And…and we thought we’d give dating a try.”
And the award for the worst actress ever goes to…
“Even though you two work together?”
“Well, I think it’s great,” Ava jumps in, smiling broadly. “I couldn’t think of a more perfect couple.” She hugs us both, but the hug she gives Landon is longer as she says something to him I can’t hear.
He gives her a small nod and winks at her.
She shakes her head as she rolls her eyes.
“Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way,” I say, “can we go inside?”
Judging from Kiera’s expression, that was the wrong thing to say. She narrows her eyes at me.
Oops.
“I also moved in with him,” I blurt as if someone had given me truth serum.
All things considered, it’s amazing that my grandfather didn’t banish me from the family as soon as I turned eighteen. Lying makes me squirm, and if the police or FBI had ever questioned me, I would’ve revealed everything I knew within for the first three minutes of the interrogation.
This is probably why my grandfather made sure I didn’t know anything that could get him into trouble with the law.
At my news, Kiera’s eyebrows come close to knocking against her hairline. “You. Moved. In. With. Him.”
I vaguely hear Ava mutter, “Oh, boy,” but I’m too busy trying to convey to Kiera with my eyes that I know what I’m doing to look Ava’s way.
“That’s right.” I glance around me, searching for a rock to hide under.
“You’ve only known him for a few days.”
“You do realize he’s standing right next to me? He can hear you.”
She whirls on him. “Then maybehecan tell me why the rush to live together. Or can I expect a wedding invitation by the end of the day?”
I choke out a laugh. “Definitely not.”
Ava puts her hand on Kiera’s shoulder. “I’m sure they have a good reason for moving so quickly. But whatever the reason, you can trust Landon. He would never do anything to hurt Chloe.” She gives him a meaningful look. “Isn’t that right?”
“Ava’s right,” he says. “Now, I don’t know about you, ladies, but I need to get inside to prepare for my students.” He doesn’t give me a chance to object or stick around to talk to my friends. He tugs me along, still holding my hand.
And I willingly go with him.
Anything to escape further interrogation from Kiera.
“Well, I’d say that went well.” My tone is a cross between a grumble and a snorted laugh. “Told you this wasn’t going to be easy.”
“Trust me, that’s nothing compared to being shot at.”
Hopefully, that’s something I’ll never have to find out for myself. Just the threat of it yesterday was bad enough.
