“Junior told me. I figured it would be the perfect time to stop by and check in on my favorite brother,” I hear Eli say. “And by check in, I mean eat all your food and drink all your booze and swim in your pool.”
Landon snorts. “Figured. And since when do you talk to Junior?”
“Since you refused to let me store my car here during my travels abroad,” says Eli. “Junior let me leave it at his.”
“He wasn’t concerned with Dad finding out he’s in touch with you?”
“I don’t think Daddy Dearest has the time or energy to spy on who Junior is and isn’t in contact with.”
“Fair.”
“I wasn’t expecting your adorable little house guest, though. Since when does Melanie have a sister?”
“Since always. Apparently.”
“She’s kinda hot.”
“Don’t start.”
“What? You have eyes, don’t you? I won’t tell Melanie, I promise.”
“Well, don’t get too attached,” Landon warns. “She’s moving out as soon as Melanie returns. I’ll expect you gone before then, too.”
“Man, you really know how to make a guy feel welcome in your home, don’t you?” I can imagine the dirty look Landon’s shooting his brother.
“So, what are we drinking?”
“What’s the most expensive thing you got?”
At the sound of clanging bottles, I slowly back down the hallway, shutting myself in my room. I’m a little thirsty, but the last thing I want to do is interrupt the brotherly reunion downstairs…or be on the receiving end of more of Landon’s wrath, so I take a sip of water from the bathroom sink and crawl back into bed.
I still hear the muffled sound of voices and Eli’s booming laughter by the time I fall asleep.
* * *
“I’ll have a glass of Cristal,” says Helen Dyson, tapping her long-nailed fingers against the tabletop, drawing my attention to the massive diamond on her left hand.
I nod, trying not to stare at the rock that could probably buy me a new car. A nice one, too. “Perfect. And for you, Mr. Dyson?”
Helen glances at her husband, who’s still perusing the menu. “Come on, dear. The waitress doesn’t have all day.”
Bill Dyson sighs, closing his menu. “Blanton’s. Neat.”
I smile brightly at the middle-aged couple. “Great, I’ll be right out with those—”
“We’re in mourning,” Helen tells me, shaking her head forlornly.
“Oh no. I’m so sorry to hear that.”
Helen nods. “Thank you. It’s just been horrible to lose Marina.”
I’ve never heard them mention any Marina and have no idea if it’s a friend, a family member, or a pet, but I’ve only waited on the Dysons once or twice. I nod like I know who they’re talking about. “I’m so sorry for your loss. Death is a horrible thing.”
“Death?” Helen glances at me sharply. “No, she didn’t die. We had to let her go yesterday.”
I stare at the woman, trying to process what she just said. “Let her…go?”
“Our maid. It was an awful ordeal, right Bill?”
