As it grew closer to six, I could smell food cooking. My mom and sister were in the kitchen preparing dinner. By the time Claire arrived, I was sitting on the living room couch with Gavin, both of us drinking a beer while we watched golf on TV.
It was her voice I heard first. That pretty voice. I tried to ignore the way my pulse kicked up at the sound of it. Before I knew it, she was right in front of me, as pretty as a picture.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hi.” I grinned back. We hadn’t seen each other since Saturday, and I had to admit I was pleased at the sight of her. More pleased than I ought to be.
Like the other night, her hair was flowing down her back, though she’d pulled some off her face with a few loose curls. It suited her. Best of all, she wore a dress. I’d never seen her in a dress, and I approved one hundred percent. It was a pink-flowered sundress with short sleeves and came to just above the knees. It fell over her breasts and hips in a way that flattered every curve.
Unfortunately, I could feel Gavin checking her out too.
“It’s nice to meet you,” he said, leaning forward to shake her hand. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about you and your birds.”
Her brows went up. “I didn’t know my birds were so famous.”
“Eliza told me all about them. I enjoy birds myself.” Gavin told her a story about how he owned a parakeet as a kid, a story I was almost certain he was making up.
“Really? Well, it’s nice to meet a fellow bird lover.”
“Hopefully I’ll get another bird someday when I’m not traveling so much for work.” Gavin sighed and leaned back on the couch. “I sure do miss old Napoleon.”
“Napoleon?”
“That was his name. Napoleon Bonapartridge.”
Claire laughed. “Oh my gosh, that’s so cute. I love it!”
I tried not to roll my eyes at his ridiculous story. “Would you like me to get you anything?” I asked. “There’s beer, or my mom made lemonade.”
“Napoleon was one of a kind,” Gavin continued. “I loved that bird. At least we gave him a good life.”
“That’s so nice,” Claire said before turning to me. “Thanks, your mom already got me some lemonade. I’m helping them with dinner, but I wanted to come over and say hi.” She smiled, and I couldn’t help grinning back like an idiot.
When she left for the kitchen, I looked over at Gavin. “You are so full of shit. When did you ever own a parakeet?”
“What do you mean? I had one as a kid.”
“And that name?” I chuckled. “Let me guess, you were googling bird names earlier.”
Gavin smiled and picked up his beer. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I loved that parakeet.”
“Napoleon Bonapartridge?” I laughed some more. “Very creative.” I’d been best friends with Gavin for a long time, so I knew exactly how he operated. He came across as laid-back and casual, except it was all an act. He plotted his whole life three moves ahead like a chess game.
“Now don’t go disparaging little Napoleon,” he said in mock injury. “That bird was practically a fixture in my childhood.”
“I’m sure he was.” I took a swig of beer.
Gavin looked over his shoulder toward the kitchen and then grinned at me. “I have to agree, she’s cute. Nice body too.”
I didn’t say anything. My eyes went back to the golf game on television. I normally didn’t care if Gavin made comments about women’s bodies—hell, I made them too—but I wasn’t too happy listening to him talk about Claire’s.
“Just remember she’s off-limits.”
“That’s right.” He chuckled softly. “Off-limits to whom, I wonder.”
Dinner was spaghetti with meatballs, garlic bread, and a Caesar salad. One of my all-time favorite meals. My mom made the meatballs just the way I liked them with sausage and lots of spicy oregano.
“I feel like you’re spoiling me,” I said as we all dug into our food. “Thanks for making that chocolate cake too.”
She smiled. “I feel like I don’t get to spoil you enough.”
“Hey, I’m not complaining.”
“How did the writing go today?” Eliza asked her. “I can’t wait to read your book when it’s done.”
“You’re writing a book?” Gavin looked over. “I didn’t know that.”
My mom nodded. “A cozy mystery. I’ve always wanted to write one, so I’m finally doing it.”
He tore off a chunk of garlic bread. “That sounds pretty great.”
“I think it sounds great too,” I agreed. “I remember all those stories you used to make up about Bailey when we were kids.”
My sister sighed. “I still miss Bailey.”
“Who’s Bailey?” Claire asked, cutting one of the large meatballs in half. She was sitting next to me at the table, and I was all too aware of her proximity.
“Our dog when we were growing up.” I explained how my mom used to make up stories about him and his whole extended dog family.
“The book’s going okay,” Mom told us. “I need to do more research. I’ve decided to set it here in Truth Harbor and possibly even turn it into a series.”
Claire looked up from her plate. “Really? What a perfect idea. I don’t think anyone’s ever based a book series here before.”
Eliza’s eyes lit up. “See? I love this town. The culture here has everything.”
“What made you decide to set your book here?” Claire asked.
My mom tilted her head and thought about it. “I guess it’s because I’ve always enjoyed harbor towns. There’s an old-fashioned feeling here. I thought it would lend itself well to a cozy mystery.”
Claire nodded but then sighed. “Though that might all be changing soon.”
“What do you mean?” Eliza asked.
“Apparently some big real estate group is buying part of the land downtown, including the waterfront. They plan to build condos and turn the whole area into a shopping mall.”
My sister’s eyes widened. “Are you kidding?”
“I wish I was.”
Gavin and I glanced at each other.
“That would be a shame,” my mom said, frowning. “Why would anyone want to destroy the flavor of this lovely town?”
Claire shrugged. “Profit, I guess.”
My mom picked up her glass, still frowning. “Well, I hope that doesn’t happen.”
Gavin and I both stayed quiet. Neither of us was sentimental when it came to making money. It might have sounded cold, but I didn’t get successful by ignoring good opportunities when they arose.
“So what kind of research do you still need to do for your book?” Claire asked my mom.
“Oh, mostly just information about the town’s history. I was thinking I’d swing by the local library and see what I could find.”
She sat up straight. “Really? You know, I have a client who’d be the perfect person for you to talk to.”
“You do?”
Claire told us about a client of hers who used to be a history teacher and knew everything there was to know about Truth Harbor. “Let me ask her, but I’m sure she’d be more than happy to meet with you.”
“That would be wonderful.” My mom was obviously thrilled. “Thank you.”
The rest of the dinner conversation continued along just fine until my sister started talking about the play and how she was still planning to quit school.
“It’s a mistake,” I said for the hundredth time since she’d made this absurd announcement two days ago. “Just get your degree and be done with it. Then you can act in all the plays you want.”
“But not this one,” she countered. “This one will be finished by then.”
“Who cares? There are a million plays in the world. Your top priority should be finishing college.”
“You didn’t even finish, so why are you being so pushy about this?”
I shook my head. “Because it’s not the same situation. You’ve been in school forever. It’s t
ime to quit screwing around.”
“Oh, I see. So you get to live however you choose while I’m dictated to by my own brother?”
“I’m offering you good advice. You should take it.”
My sister glared at me. “Let me offer you some advice. Get a life and stop trying to run mine.”
“I’m not trying to run your life, and I happen to have a great life.”
“Puh-lease.” She snorted. “All you care about is work.”
My mom held her hand up. “Let’s continue this discussion another time, shall we?” She looked at us both. “We have a guest tonight, who I’m sure would rather not listen to you two squabbling.”
Gavin shrugged and grinned. “I don’t mind. Actually, I think it’s entertaining.”
I snorted. “That’s because she’s not talking about you.” Gavin was basically family, and he knew it.
“Claire is our guest,” my mom reminded us, then turned to her. “I’m sorry you have to listen to these two arguing.”
“It’s okay. Your family is great. Even when you guys argue, I can tell it’s only because you care about each other.”
I nodded to myself, and I could see Eliza taking in her words.
After dinner, Gavin and I cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher. It was a tradition that whoever didn’t prepare the meal had to at least help clean up afterward.
“What now?” my sister asked as we were finishing. “Do you guys want to play cards or a board game?”
“Sure,” Gavin said. “What do you have in mind?”
“How about we let Claire decide?” my mom suggested. She motioned toward the bookcase in the other room. “There’s a number of games. Would you like to go pick something out?”
“Okay.” Claire got up and went into the living room to find something. When she returned with her choice of board game, I could barely believe it.
“Oh no,” the pest groaned. “Not that. Are you sure that’s what you want to play?”
Meanwhile Gavin and I were laughing and fist-bumping. “All right!”
My mother hesitated but then smiled at Claire. “Isn’t there perhaps another game you’d like to choose instead?”
Chapter Thirteen
~ Claire ~
“Is there something wrong with Monopoly?” I asked.
Philip and Gavin were obviously happy, but Eliza and Sylvia looked apprehensive.
Sylvia sighed. “It’s just that Monopoly brings out the worst in these two.” She motioned toward her son and Gavin, who were cheering and giving each other complicated handshakes.
Eliza leaned forward in her chair. “What she’s trying to say is it turns them into assholes.”
“It does?”
She turned to her mom. “Didn’t we already ban these two from playing Monopoly ever again?”
“It does not turn us into assholes,” Philip said matter-of-factly as he took a seat at the table. “The pest doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”
“Yeah, that’s silly,” Gavin said, taking a seat too. He leaned in toward Philip and spoke in a loud stage whisper. “I think your mom and sister are having a false memory.”
Philip reached for the box. “Monopoly happens to be one of the greatest games ever invented.”
Eliza looked up at the ceiling. “God help us.”
“I can pick a different game,” I offered.
“No, that won’t be necessary.” Philip patted the chair beside him and grinned at me. “Have a seat, Claire. You’re in for the most exciting Monopoly game of your life.”
Sylvia got up. “Would anybody like anything from the kitchen? I think I might need a beer for this.”
“Me too,” Eliza said in a desperate voice. “Maybe bring the whole six-pack with you.”
“Nah, I’m good.” Philip was rubbing his hands together, glancing around the table. There was a gleam in his eye. “Now, who gets to be the banker?”
“I’ll do it,” Gavin said.
Philip scoffed. “Like I trust you.”
“What do you mean? I’m as trustworthy as they come.”
“Let’s just keep things simple and I’ll be the banker.” He opened the lid on the box and started setting things up.
“Like hell you will.” Gavin reached for the stack of Monopoly money. “There’s no way I’m letting you be the banker.”
Eliza accepted a beer from her mom. “What does it matter? You guys both cheat like crazy anyway.”
“No we don’t!”
“That’s ridiculous!”
The men seemed comically indignant.
“You should let Mom be the banker,” Eliza said. “She’s best at thwarting you two.”
“Or maybe Claire should do it.” Gavin turned to me with a flirtatious smile. “Would you like to be the banker?”
“I don’t know.” I glanced over at the pieces Philip was setting up. “It’s been a while since I’ve played.”
Sylvia sat down. “It’s best if I do it. At least there’s a chance this won’t turn into a circus.”
As she organized the bank and gave everyone their money, Philip and Gavin argued over who got to be the car.
“You were the car last time,” Philip said, keeping all the game pieces in front of him. “It’s my turn.”
“What?” Gavin threw up his hands. “That was a year ago. Who remembers that?”
“I do.” Philip handed him a game piece. “Here, you can be the shoe.”
“The shoe? That’s for girls. I want the car.”
Philip steepled his fingers and eyed Gavin in a calculated way. “Exactly how much money are you willing to pay?”
“And so it begins.” Eliza rolled her eyes.
I took a sip from my beer, watching the two men with interest. “You guys are kind of crazy with this game, aren’t you?”
“Trust me,” she muttered, “you haven’t even begun to see crazy.”
After some heavy negotiating, Philip agreed to sell the car to Gavin for a hundred dollars.
Philip took the dog for himself, and when Eliza stuck the hat on it, he immediately removed it.
“Anybody who puts the hat on this dog again will be fined ten dollars,” he said in a starchy tone.
Eliza picked up the dog and held the hat in place for everyone to see. “Just look at him though. He’s so cute.”
Indignant, Philip reached over and took his game piece back from her. “I’ll have you know this dog deserves respect.”
Once we began to play, the game grew even more entertaining. It turned out Philip and Gavin competed against each other with a maniacal intensity. As soon as anybody bought a property, they jumped in and bought it off the person in a bidding war. It wasn’t long before everything they owned was crammed with hotels and houses.
“You guys are cheating,” Eliza accused them about an hour or so into the game. “In fact, I saw Philip’s hand right next to Claire’s money.”
He turned incredulous. “Are you nuts? I wouldn’t steal from Claire.”
I glanced down at my pile of money. If anything, it seemed to be growing on its own, which made no sense. “Philip hasn’t taken anything from me. I’ve got more money than I even thought I had.”
“All right.” Eliza sniffed. “I apologize. Maybe I’m wrong. But something strange is happening. There’s no way you guys could be this rich.”
“We’re good with money.” Gavin smiled at her. “Haven’t we already proven that?”
“Whenever any of us turn our heads for a second, you’re robbing the bank.”
“You need to learn how to strategize better,” Philip said. “Stop losing your cool, and stop selling all your properties to Gavin.”
“Hey, I’m doing just fine. Look how much money I have.”
“I thought Monopoly was a game of luck,” I said.
Philip grinned. “It is, but it’s also strategy and knowing your opponents.”
I had to agree with Eliza though. There was something peculiar going on. Both gu
ys kept dropping things on the floor and asking everybody to bend down and find their missing item. Another time, Gavin yelled there was something in his eye and made a comical show of leaning over the table, asking us to look at it. The most bizarre point in the game was when Philip had us all craning our necks at the ceiling when he claimed he saw a bat flying through the house.
“Are you trying to tell me you actually saw a bat hanging from the ceiling?” Eliza asked.
“It wasn’t hanging,” he corrected her as he counted his cash. “It was flying.”
“It could have been a flying squirrel,” Gavin interjected. “I saw it too.”
“A flying squirrel?” Eliza started laughing. “You guys are completely full of it.”
By that point both Sylvia and I were in stitches. It was the craziest game of Monopoly I’d ever played.
When it was my turn, and I landed on one of Gavin’s heavily improved properties, he turned to me with a flirtatious grin. “Don’t worry. You’re a fellow bird lover, so I’m not going to charge you rent.”
“Really? Um… thanks.”
“I’m a gentleman like that. In fact, none of you ladies will be charged rent from now on.”
“Isn’t that against the rules?”
“Darlin’, I make up my own rules.”
“Of course it’s against the rules,” Philip growled. “But he’ll be bankrupt soon, so I wouldn’t put much stock in his ‘free’ rent.”
“In your dreams,” Gavin countered. “I’m looking forward to your complete annihilation.”
The two guys were battling each other like titans of industry. Throughout the game, a peculiar excitement grew in me. Philip’s eyes kept finding mine. Even the crazy way he played Monopoly was exhilarating. There was a boyishly bold quality to it. Ethan had never been bold like that.
Eventually the bank was empty, and the men were doing trades so complicated I couldn’t even keep track of what was happening.
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