Killer Party Read online

  Greg looked at me. I don’t think he trusted his voice. Whatever accent I’d thought I’d heard had been replaced with the voice of a sultry stripper. I leaned closer to Greg, letting her step around us. “Maybe. I’m not sure we brought suits.” It was a total lie. I’d bought us both new suits just for the weekend.

  She turned her head back to us and laughed. “Darling, we have the entire place to ourselves. Suits are totally optional.”

  CHAPTER 2

  We didn’t talk on the elevator ride to our floor. Greg started to say something, but I shook my head, not wanting to be overheard. When we got to the room, I flopped on the bed. “What was that?”

  “I’m not sure, but I know I either need to turn in my man card for turning her down or my badge for not arresting her. Levi has himself a firecracker there.” He opened the closet and started digging through the suitcase.

  “What are you looking for?” I peered at him from my reclining position.

  He looked over his shoulder back at me. “Our suits.”

  I threw the pillow and hit him right on his head.

  “Hey, what’s that for?” He stood straight and threw the pillow back at me. “Does this mean we’re not going swimming?”

  My phone rang, which saved me from killing him. He grabbed the remote and turned the television on as he took my place on the bed. Glancing at the caller ID, I saw Coffee, Books, and More’s number. There must be a crisis. Mentally, I went through the supply orders I’d completed the first of the week and tried to guess what hadn’t come in.

  “Hello?”

  There was silence on the other end of the line.

  I looked at the room clock, Aunt Jackie should be on shift. Had she fallen? Heart attack? Was someone robbing the place? I tried to keep the panic out of my voice, “Hello? Aunt Jackie? Is anyone there?”

  Greg muted the television. I saw concern on his face as he sat up, ready to spring into action if we needed to leave. My aunt might like to pretend she’s young, but in truth, the woman is getting up in years. I’m not sure how old she is exactly as she doesn’t celebrate birthdays anymore and she won’t let me see her driver’s license or her employee file at the shop. But she’s been in my life since I could remember. I repeated her name, “Aunt Jackie?”

  “Sorry, dear, I dropped an earring.” My aunt’s voice came on the line and I felt my heart rate slow. She’d dropped an earring?

  I bit my lip, not wanting to yell and making eye contact with Greg, I covered the phone and whispered, “Everything’s fine.”

  “Jill, dear, are you there?” Aunt Jackie asked. She didn’t like being kept waiting.

  I sank down on the chair by the bed. “Yes, I’m here. What’s going on?”

  “I wanted to talk to you about the wedding reception. I’m thinking of having the florist put small bowls of roses on the tables. You know those little white ones that are so pretty? He says he’ll do a mock up for me, but I wanted your opinion before I told him to go ahead.”

  “Aunt Jackie, the wedding’s six months away. You don’t think this conversation could have waited until I’m back on Tuesday?” I rolled my eyes and Greg chuckled, folding his arms under his head and getting comfortable. He was watching a show on alligators. Right now, I wanted to be cuddled up next to him, and not talking to my aunt about her upcoming nuptials.

  “Pre-planning an event makes it run smooth. I thought I’d taught you that by now.” She sniffed, apparently put out by my lack of enthusiasm. “Oh, and Tina Baylor stopped by. She said Marvin wants you to invite our new business owner to the meeting on Tuesday. Personally.”

  “The Russian doll shop guy? I didn’t think the shop had opened yet.” Actually, I’d gotten a fax from the mayor a week ago, but like most of his charming missives, I’d trashed it after I’d skimmed the message.

  “Oh, yes, the grand opening began this morning. I didn’t realize there were so many people who liked those things.” I heard the pause in my aunt’s voice. “Don’t tell Harrold, because the dear man stopped and bought me one on his way here to have lunch, but I think they’re kind of creepy.”

  I’d always wanted one of the stacking dolls as a child. It was like having a whole family of identical playmates. Of course, I’d never gotten one, mostly because we didn’t have the money to spend on an imported toy. “I’ll try to stop by on Monday when we get back from the party. You realize I’m away for the weekend, right?”

  “You’re a few minutes from town. I don’t think that qualifies as away. Besides, you could come over tomorrow morning and take the owners a dozen cookies and the invite.” I heard my aunt greet a customer as they walked into the store.

  “I’m not coming into town just to invite them to the Business-to-Business meeting. If Marvin’s that worried about it, he can do the honors.”

  “Tina and Marvin are in the city for the weekend. She only stopped by for a book to read while they relax poolside.” I heard the bell over the door chime again and I knew the shop was getting busy. “Look, I’ve got to go. Just make sure you invite the man and his daughter. I have their names written down on a piece of paper in the cash register for you.”

  “Aunt Jackie,” I started but realized I was talking to dead air. She had hung up on me.

  I sat the phone down and lay on the bed next to Greg.

  He put his arm around me and pulled me close. “So you going into town tomorrow?”

  “No, I’m not.” I watched the alligators fight over some sort of deer that had gotten too close to the water. Probably just trying to get a drink, I thought. Wrong place, wrong time. Just like my mini vacation. “We should have flown to Hawaii for this weekend.”

  “Probably true. But Levi didn’t want us to worry about being away from South Cove.” He rubbed my arm. “Besides, for him, this is a vacation spot.”

  Levi and Jessica lived in Raleigh, North Carolina. Apparently, that was a hot spot for computer geeks.

  The room phone rang and Greg answered it. “Hello?” He paused, listening. “Okay, see you in a few.”

  When he replaced the handset into the cradle, he grinned at me. “We’re being summoned to the pool. Everyone is down there but us and from the sounds of it, the drinking has started.”

  “In suits?” I closed my eyes. I wasn’t a prude, but a pool filled with thirty-somethings in their birthday suits didn’t make me want to jump up and join them.

  “In suits.” He kissed me. “I’m sure Jessica was just teasing.”

  I wasn’t so sure, but I changed into my swimsuit and slipped on a cute cover-up I’d bought just to match. I added my flower flip-flops and then we left the room. Greg had been ready in two and a half seconds. This weekend was for him and his friends. I was just along for the ride. I’d never been arm candy before and compared to Jessica, Greg wasn’t winning that competition. But I didn’t care. I was going to have fun this weekend, even if I had to turn my phone off to keep my aunt from calling.

  First stop, pool party. I brought a bag with our room key, sunscreen, and a book I’d been wanting to read forever. In two weeks, classes would start up again, and my free reading time would be filled with text books about business stuff. I wasn’t sure that I was learning as much as my aunt thought I would, mostly it seemed like the curriculum was focused on big corporation, not small town stores like ours. I had no interest in franchising, and yet, that was one of the core classes I had to complete. And this semester, included a math class for business decisions. I was hoping I’d at least get a ‘C’ so I wouldn’t have to re-take the course. Math and my brain just didn’t mix.

  “You don’t really think you’ll be reading, do you?”

  Greg had seen me stash the book. “It could happen. Maybe the other women will be swimming or something else?”

  “Then you could talk with me and my friends.” He held open the door. “I want them to get to know you, not just see you with your nose in a book.”

  “Books are my business.” I reminded him.

  He
pulled me close. “But we are on vacation, dear. You can’t have it both ways.”

  He was right, of course. I’d just told my aunt that I wasn’t working this weekend, and yet, I wanted to justify my reading by pulling in my store. Sometimes I was complicated, even in my own mind.

  The pool area was beautiful with most of the tables and chairs stored away. There were just a few scattered around the patio area. The wisteria drooped over the wooden pergola, the blooms a deep purple and they filled the area with a floral scent. The men were all gathered around one table and the women were mostly on reclining chairs, sunbathing. One woman swam laps in the too blue pool. A small bar was set up near the entrance.

  “Can I get you a cocktail? We have frozen strawberry margaritas or a full bar.” The bartender was young and must have been from Bakerstown, as I didn’t know him. Of course, there weren’t a lot of young people in South Cove. Most of them went off to college, then found jobs elsewhere. I was lucky that Nick Michaels, my friend Sadie’s college-aged son liked working at Coffee, Books, and More during his college breaks, although Sadie had mentioned an internship he was looking at for next summer. One actually in the kid’s field of study.

  I realized Greg and the bartender were watching me. “Sorry, I was thinking about something else. I’ll have a margarita.”

  “Good choice. The strawberries are fresh from Jensen’s farm, right down the road.” The bartender turned toward the machine that swirled the iced mixture. Greg sipped on his beer and pointed to the line of chairs. “Looks like you might get some reading in after all. The women don’t seem to be all that interested in chatting.”

  I shrugged. “We don’t know if we have anything in common besides you guys. Give the group some time to feel each other out and I’m sure we’ll be inseparable by the end of the weekend.”

  Or we’ll hate each other. But I didn’t say that part aloud. Let Greg have fun with his buddies. I’d deal with the other women, even if they were all wannabe beauty queens like Jessica.

  I’d dealt with that type before. Kathi Corbin who ran Tea Hee across the street had come into town with a distinct handicap. The real former beauty queen was knock out gorgeous. But as I’d spent time with her, I’d also found out she had a quick wit and kind heart. We weren’t best friends, but I trusted her and enjoyed spending time with her.

  “I’m not sure that’s true, but…” Greg moved me toward the table. “Come over and meet the guys, then you can go mingle and read.”

  I loved how he knew me too well. The bartender handed me a plastic glass filled to the brim with the red ice mixture that looked more like a slushy with a dollop of whipped cream over the top.

  I took a sip of the drink and choked a bit. The alcohol level was strong for the fruity mixture. Good, but strong.

  “Greg,” the group chimed in almost perfect unison when we walked toward the table.

  “Where have you been, man?” A blond man with glasses and a bit of a tummy pooch stood and gave Greg a bro hug. His skin was the color of a codfish. “I haven’t seen you since your wedding.”

  “I’ve been here in South Cove since the divorce.” Greg took my arm and stood me in front of him. “Guys, this is my girlfriend, Jill Gardner. She owns the coffee shop and bookstore in town.”

  “Hi, Jill!” Again, the group responded in unison.

  The standing man flushed. “Sorry about bringing up the whole wedding and Sherry thing. It was just the last time I saw you.”

  “No worries.” Greg kissed my head. “Jill knows all about Sherry. In fact, she opened a store here in town selling clothes. She and Jill are almost friends.”

  I was taking another sip of courage when I choked again on Greg’s “friends” comment. I looked up at Greg who was grinning. He shrugged, “It could happen.”

  “Well, I’m just glad you saw the light and left that woman.” Levi smiled at me. “I’ll tell you a secret. She always gave me the creeps.”

  “Let’s put my romantic history aside, okay guys?” Greg nodded at Levi. “You know our host. The guy standing next to him with his foot in his mouth is David Rock. The behemoth over there is Butch, and that’s Mikey, with the beer in his hand.”

  “You’re a few behind,” Mikey grabbed a can from the bucket of ice and held it out to Greg. “Finish that beer you’re nursing like a little girl and let’s get this party started.”

  Greg squeezed my waist. “You want to join us?”

  “I think I’ll head over to the pool. You get caught up with your friends.” I held up my glass in a toast. “Have fun and I’ll see you at dinner.”

  “I’ll be five steps away.” Greg shook his head. “You just want an excuse to pull out a book and read by the pool.”

  “You know me too well.” I kissed him. Walking away, I surveyed the women tanning by the pool. Jessica lay so still, I figured she was asleep or passed out already. There was a lounger near a woman who had her own book open underneath a large sun hat. Her hair was curly like mine, but blond. And she had a white sunscreen nose.

  I grabbed a towel from a table and then spread it out on the chair next to her. “You don’t mind if I join you, do you?”

  The woman looked over her sunglasses at me. “Another cast-off wife or girlfriend? For this couples’ weekend, they sure like their bro time.” She held out a hand. “I’m Lois. Butch is my husband. We had to make it official before he went down state so we could at least have a few special visitations.”

  “Oh? I’m Jill Gardner. I’m here with Greg.” I wasn’t sure where down state was, so I jumped into the fray. “So where are you guys from?”

  “Louisiana. We live in Shreveport, but Butch works on the docks. It’s hard work, but he makes good money.” She cocked her head toward Levi. “Well, not great money like the computer nerd over there. According to the upcoming bride, Levi’s not just a millionaire anymore.”

  I’d found out more about two of the couples in less than five minutes than Greg had told me since receiving our invitation. “Greg and I live together.”

  Lois laughed. “I take it you just started shacking up?”

  “Well, yeah, why?” I wondered if Lois had known Sherry too.

  “Just the way you say it. I remember when Butch moved into my apartment. I didn’t know how to describe our relationship. I mean, boyfriend sounds too casual, and yet, you’re not married. Relax, you’ll get used to it. When we got hitched, Butch went off the deep end. Like he was responsible for me or something. I told him he could get off his high horse and just be himself.”

  “I don’t know if we’re even ready to talk marriage yet.” How’d we get so deep into the personal stuff so quickly? Of course, I’d starting thinking about the future, but honestly, I liked where we were right now.

  “I’ll stop bringing it up then.” She nodded to the other women on the lounge chairs. “Jessica’s the bride to be. MaryAnne is with David.”

  MaryAnne waved a hand to me, but didn’t turn her head. “Nice to meet you, Jill.”

  “The one swimming is Allison. She’s Mikey’s new wife.” Lois leaned closer and whispered. “Number five. Mikey has problems with commitment.”

  “Preach it,” MaryAnne called from her lounger. “At least this one actually talks to us. The last wife thought she was too good for us.”

  “So you guys know each other?” I hadn’t expected that.

  “Every September we get together at someone’s house.” Lois looked at me. “Greg hasn’t shown up for a few years. I’m surprised he didn’t just bring you along.”

  I tried to think back to last fall. Had he invited me to some trip that I’d turned down? “I’m sure we must have been busy on those weekends. Greg works so hard and I’ve got the shop.”

  “Oh, don’t feel bad about it. He rarely showed up with Sherry either. That woman wouldn’t let him out of her sight.” Lois stood and wobbled a bit on her flip-flops. “Let’s go drag the boys inside and get dinner started.”

  I watched as Allison stepped out
of the pool, water dripping off her blue bikini which was just as skimpy as Jessica’s. The women were in great shape. Except for Lois. Yet, she seemed more comfortable in her plus-size body than the other woman did in their model size ones.

  “Throw me one of those towels, please.” Allison looked at me since I was standing next to the table.

  “Sure.” I tossed her a towel.

  “Thanks.” As she wrapped herself into the large towel, she grinned at me. “Looks like Greg found someone who wasn’t a flake.”

  “Just because I can throw a towel?”

  Allison stepped closer and held out her hand to shake. “Actually, just because you responded to a request. From what I heard, Sherry would have ignored me completely. I’m Allison and I’m so glad I’m not the new girl anymore.”

  “I guess that role falls on me now.” I liked Allison and Lois. MaryAnne seemed nice or at least funny. And Jessica? Well, she was the bride, so I’d let her have some bridezilla moments for the weekend.

  Lois stood at the edge of the table, her hand on Greg’s shoulder. “Nice to see you stranger.”

  Greg looked up and gave Lois a quick kiss on the cheek. “Did you meet my girl?”

  Lois patted him on the shoulder, then smiled back at me. “I did. She’s lovely. You did good this time.”

  “I hope so.” Greg leaned his head back and made eye contact. “Oh, honey, I didn’t see you standing there.”

  “Whatever. Apparently, it’s time to eat. You guys done talking about glory days?”

  Mikey jumped up and into a sumo warrior stance. “Never. But I am hungry.”

  As we made our way into the grand hall where Brenda and her crew had set up dinner, I heard Jessica whisper to Levi. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this snooze fest. Tell me we won’t be doing this every year.”

  A glance up at Greg and I knew he’d heard the comment too. He pulled me close and nuzzled my neck. “I guess we’re more of an acquired taste.”

  “Or the rest of us are too polite.” Bridezilla Jessica had two strikes against her. One more and she’d be officially on my list. And not the one where I keep all my best friends.