“Taylor Grace was having an affair with Jonah, and he was going to break up with her,” Willow says in a rush. “I just don’t know how she strung up the body, but she was at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, so she definitely had the opportunity.”
I pull out my phone from my pants pocket and thumb through Taylor’s messages.
Willow’s face goes scarlet when she sees the photos.
“This is what you two are texting about?”
“She barely knew me, and she sent me these photos like thirty minutes after our first meeting. In hindsight, it might have been a red flag. Point is”—I tap on the weights—“she is capable of dragging a body. Jonah doesn’t work out. He’s not that heavy.”
“Glad you’re getting your jollies while working. What a way to multitask. No wonder you like being a PI.” She tries to wiggle out from under me, but I keep her pinned against the cabinets with my hip.
“She can, and—don’t try and run away, I need you to hear this. We’re working on a case. Focus—Taylor Grace kissed me. I didn’t kiss her, and I couldn’t very well drop the ham to push her off, could I? Nana would kill me. But no argument from me—I think Taylor’s crazy, and I hope she did kill Jonah because otherwise…” I lick my lip and lean down to whisper to her.
She makes a strangled noise.
“I think our grandmothers could maybe, possibly, be guilty as well. Maybe.”
“That’s not—”
I clap a hand to her mouth. “Shh!”
“Our grandmothers couldn’t have killed him. It has to have been Taylor Grace.” Her voice drops at the end. “We will never speak of their potential involvement again. Besides, I live here, and apparently, you’re about to move in here too.”
“Really? So you forgive me for the kiss?” I murmur.
“The assault.”
“She’s just jealous of you.” I smirk down at Willow, trace the curl of hair that has escaped from the messy bun. “Taylor knows I don’t want to kiss her.”
Willow swallows, staring unblinking up at me. “You don’t?”
“Nah.”
“Well, that’s probably a good thing because she gets really upset when you don’t call her by her full name.” Willow licks her lips.
“Yeah, I noticed.” I lean in.
Before I can capture her mouth, there’s whispering and giggling from the doorway.
Willow jumps, banging her forehead into my chin.
“What the—”
Willow follows me as I peer around the corner to see our two elderly grandmothers holding onto each other and grinning like mad.
“Oh, we didn’t mean to interrupt.” Beryl and Nana give each other knowing looks. “Go back to what you’re doing.”
“He was about to kiss her,” Nana crows.
Willow keeps clearing her throat behind me, fussing with her clothes. “I guess we’d better get working on this party.” She looks a little frazzled.
My chest feels too cold now that she’s no longer pressed against me.
“What a wonderful Christmas surprise! Willow’s not going to be a virgin anymore.” Beryl claps her hands.
“You’re a virgin?” I yelp.
“What? No! You are.” She points accusingly.
