The Paper Year: A Psychological Thriller With An Ending You'll Never See Coming (Piper Adler Book 1) by Avery Aster

Author:Avery Aster [Aster, Avery]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Avery Aster
Published: 2017-03-15T16:00:00+00:00

With Bo back in Palm Beach, I’m able to cook a dish I know he hates: roasted Brussels sprouts and mushrooms with gremolata and quinoa. I place the Brussels sprouts and mushrooms in a deep baking dish, adding a pinch of salt and pepper to taste and some olive oil. Placing them in the oven, I set the timer for twenty minutes.

There’s a knock at the door, and then I hear it open.

“It’s me, Maxine.”

“In the kitchen.”

“Darling, what is that yummy zest smell?”

“Gremolata.”

“Are we having veal?”

“No, tossed salad. I may put some pork chops on the grill if everyone is hungry enough.”

“Jana isn’t coming.” She makes a pouty face.

“What? Why?”

“Last-minute modeling assignment. Apparently Giselle and Kendall backed out, so Jana’s agent called and got her on the next flight to London.”

“Wow. Jana lives the quiet life.”

“Yeah, and how about last night, her telling us she has a gun?” Maxine takes a seat on the bar stool next to the counter. Leaning forward, she adjusts her bracelet. “Have you ever shot one before?”

“No. You?”

“Yes, a few times. My first hubby used to take me to the shooting range all the time. He viewed it as a sport. Loved it. I hated it.” She adjusts her lip-gloss with her pinky. “Saw Hollis earlier in the mailroom. He’ll come by later for dessert. We are having dessert, aren’t we?”

I laugh. “Reid finally texted me back about an hour ago. Apologized for going MIA and said he’d tell us why when he got here. And he’s bringing cake. Apparently he’s been baking up a storm.”

“Hmmm. Ever notice that when Reid bakes, there’s something bad brewing on the horizon?” She raises her right hand to her chin and cocks her head at me.

With an air of classic elegance, I lean against the counter and admire Maxine’s beauty. Bo says that when they were in college together men would fall over her. I can see why. She’s Taylor Swift statuesque and has a striking face with a pronounced jaw and full lips, similar to Angelina Jolie.

“Hello, ladies!” Reid comes in through the backyard.

Seeing his handsome face makes me smile. I walk over to him as he places the cake plate on the counter. Wrapping my arms around him tightly, I take in the scent of his soapy freshness. “I’ve missed you.” I pull back and give him a kiss on his freshly shaven cheek.

“Drink?” Maxine holds out a wine glass for him as he nods.

“Hungry?” I ask, and he nods a second time. I pull the pork chops out of the fridge. “Let’s get these started on the grill.”

A half hour later, we’re well into our meals and have already finished two bottles of wine.

“So… what’s been going on?” Maxine asks in Reid’s direction.

“I’m sorry I’ve been a recluse the last few days. Animated World, the company that sells and distributes my cartoon to all of the newspapers around the country, filed bankruptcy last week.”

“Yikes. I’m so sorry, Reid.” I put down my fork.

“Oh. Honey. What’ll happen to Incredible Irene?” Maxine asks, then shoves a small piece of cake in her mouth.

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