“I’m just so excited that Kate is here,” he says, looking pointedly at me, then at Lina. “Such fun.”
This is a nightmare. Someone is definitely going to die tonight.
And Kate, completely innocent and unknowing, opens the gates and walks right into the lion’s den. As Ella gets up to greet her, Kate gives her the wine.
“This is to say thank you for earlier in the restaurant,” she says, her gaze locking with mine. I don’t dare smile. Lina might murder the both of us.
Ella examines the bottle. “This is so thoughtful, thank you. Let’s crack it open—you can stay for a drink before you and Dad go out.”
Gable looks at me like Ella has just suggested we toss puppies into the lake. I mouth at him to calm down, and he runs his hand down his face.
It’ll be okay. We’ll just keep an eye on Lina and make this short.
Except Kate takes the seat beside mine, putting her directly across from Lina, and it’s more than a little tense.
As a rookie, I once had to clean out a holding cell where an inmate had smeared shit all over the walls. It took hours, and when I finished, there was another cell just like it waiting for me.
I’d rather spend the next week doing that than be sitting at this fucking table.
Kate is talking away, telling us her sister’s reaction to the blind date that ended with her in my lap. She’s smiling prettily, giggling, just generally being a sweet, kind person.
Lina looks seconds from stabbing her in the eye.
“So,” Lina says, interrupting Kate mid-story. “You and Guy are dating.”
“Oh my gosh, no.” Kate laughs, her cheeks flushing. “This is our first. Second, if you count the lap dance.”
Lina grips the arms of her chair so hard I’m surprised the wood doesn’t crack.
And she laughs. It’s such a terrifying, tinny sound that Gable and I share a look.
“You’re English,” Kate says. “What part of England are you from?”
Lina sneers. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
Kate blinks, and glances at me. I force a laugh and kick Gable under the table so he does the same.
“British humor,” I say. “So sarcastic.”
“Oh!” Kate laughs, too.
We’re all just fucking laughing.
“What do you do, Kate?” Lina asks, lifting her chin and examining my date as if she might carry the plague. Ella returns with the wine and pours herself, Gable, Lina, and Kate a glass. I decline. I have a feeling I’ll need to be alert for this. Gable, on the other hand, throws his drink back in one and pours another.
“I’m a lawyer,” Kate says.
“Ew. Don’t cops hate lawyers?” Lina asks, looking at me. “She releases the bad guys you lock away.”
Kate chuckles, and I really wish she wouldn’t. “Oh, I’m not that kind of lawyer. I’m in financial law.”
“Yawn,” Lina sighs.
“Monty,” I say sharply, and her eyes meet mine. “Be polite.” She flushes and tenses her jaw before looking away.
Kate’s smile is a little brittle, and the tension ramps up. “What do you do?”
“I’m retired and incredibly wealthy,” Lina says, examining her nails as if this conversation is a favor to us all.
