“Okay. Your family? I never see them visit.”
Maybe a hint of sadness appears. “My parents now live abroad for my dad’s work, and my brother is one of those tech people who live in the Silicon Valley bubble. As you know this house was a gift from my great-aunt who didn’t have kids, and she chose me. I visited her often, and she always had a warm heart. But family? Yes, on one hand, I know everyone is just a flight away, but on the other, living in my own world is peaceful with no expectations. Just a shame about the neighbors.” Esme leans over to nudge my knee. She’s being playful, and I’m here for it.
“Sounds like we both are perfectly accepting of life, though.”
She shrugs. “I mean, I can’t complain. My job is fun, I have friends, like my house, it’s not like I’m missing se?—”
Ooh, this is too good to pass up.
“Cat got your tongue, doll?”
Her face turns crimson. “Nope.” She remains defiant.
Our eyes hold, a hint of ease and an undertone of a smile gracing our lips.
“You’re annoying,” she reminds me.
Her light facial features don’t fade.
She shifts in her seat and a hand sneaks up her opposite leg, but when she leans slightly, she blocks my view as shedoes something to her dress. Sitting back up, she holds up a flask.
I’m taken aback, surprised yet completely on board with her costume props. “You’ve been holding out on me. What else are you hiding?”
She pops the top of the silver flask and takes a gulp before she offers it to me. “Age of prohibition and all. I needed to come prepared. Besides, you never know when you’ll need a little liquid boost.”
I don’t hesitate, and I take a swig with no clue what the contents are but relieved when I taste the sting of whiskey.
“You’re really unpredictable, huh?” I’m beginning to wonder.
She snatches the flask back. “And you are a little less uptight when you’re in costume as a gangster. How does it feel to be on the other side of the law?”
The corners of my mouth twist. “There is nothing wrong with being career driven and damn good at your job.”
She snickers. “See? You need to check your work-life balance. I’ve heard that line way too many times since I’ve moved to Everhope Road. It’s kind of depressing.”
I watch her take one more sip before she twists the cap closed and takes zero notice of me as she tucks the item back up under her dress. So be it, I try to peer over her arm for a glimpse.
“A truce, remember?” I remind her.
She grins over her shoulder at me. “Just stating facts. It’s not a jab.”
“Fine. You shouldn’t flash your leg, it isn’t proper.” I kind of just said that to cause her to give me side-eye. It’s fun.
“You’ve seen more. I’m supposed to be your mistress, remember?” she counters with her brows raised.
Just then the door bursts open with a giggly woman clinging to a man.
“Oh shit, sorry.” Hailey stumbles back out, and my head tips to see that Oliver is draped around her.
The door shuts, and Esme looks at me with mutual interest. “They are totally tipsy,” she comments.
I interject, “Or intent on destroying this couch for other activities.”
We both laugh because we’re on the same page for that.
A warm silence forms around us, except this time it’s calming.
“Should we actually search for this clue?” she suggests almost reluctantly.
