Killer Chardonnay by Kate Lansing

Author:Kate Lansing
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2020-05-25T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

* * *

Usually I don’t mind the three flights of stairs that lead to my apartment, but tonight they’re the bane of my existence. Even though Liam thoroughly upset me, I wasn’t about to drop him off at Mom and Dad’s. They set conditions prior to his moving back in with them, and coming home trashed was—and is—a major deal breaker.

Which is why Reid and I haul Liam’s drunk ass up the endless steps. By the time we reach my landing, I’m shaking from exertion and fumble with my keys.

We plop Liam on the couch, where I force him to drink a full glass of water. He falls asleep immediately, clutching the edge of Zin’s afghan blanket. Zin hops onto the couch and nuzzles next to him, purring, somehow sensing he could use company.

I set another glass of water, a bottle of Tylenol, and an empty trash bin within reach before going in search of Reid. I find him in my kitchen, peeking in the refrigerator.

“Can I get you something?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Habit,” he explains. “The best way to get to know someone is to look in their fridge.”

“Did you learn anything interesting?”

“Decent amount of fresh ingredients, decent amount of wine.” He follows me onto the balcony, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Which tells me you’re health-conscious, but also like to kick back.”

“Very astute,” I say, resting my forearms on the railing and gazing at the stars over the Flatirons. Truth be told, there hasn’t been much kicking back lately. “Thanks for your help tonight.”

He mirrors me, our elbows barely touching as he takes in the view. “No problem.”

“I bet this messed with your plans to pick up some lucky girl,” I say, not so subtly fishing for information.

“This is better.” He faces me full-on, a sly grin sliding into place. “So, you asked your brother about me?” Apparently, he’s doing some fishing of his own.

“I’m going to kill Liam,” I grumble, dipping my chin. “Don’t read too much into that. We’re conducting business together. I could’ve been asking for a reference, to make sure our styles mesh.” And now I’m babbling. I clamp my mouth shut before I embarrass myself further.

He cocks his head to the side. “Doesn’t change the fact that you were asking about me.”

“Oh, get over yourself.”

I nudge his shoulder playfully. He goes with it, dramatically falling back a couple of steps before returning to his perch, only closer this time. So close I catch his scent—citrus, fresh herbs, and a hint of peppermint.

“What did you want to know?” he asks.

I’m momentarily distracted by his eyes. They’re a rich green, like the leaves of a grapevine, and spark with emotion.

“Oh, um, how he knew you, your band, that sort of thing.”

He rests one arm casually on the railing, positioning his foot so it might as well be touching mine. “Did you get the answers you wanted?”

“Eh,” I say with a shrug and a coy smile, purely to mess with him.

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