Building Blocks of Murder by Vanessa Gray Bartal Read Free Book Online

he was a warm, caring person, sensitive to the moods of those around him.
    “I have a lot on my mind,” she hedged. Lacy didn’t want to spout her problems in front of Keegan, but she also didn’t want to unload on Tosh about Jason. The two didn’t care for each other, and she was careful not to talk about one to the other.
    Keegan looked up with another mischievous smile. “If you two want to go in the other room for some alone time, I won’t be offended.”
    Lacy started to protest, but Tosh took her hand and tugged her toward his living room. “Thanks,” he called to his brother.
    “Tosh,” she whispered when they were alone. “He thinks we’re coming in here to make out.”
    “Then we shouldn’t disappoint him,” Tosh replied, drawing her close and putting his arms around her.
    She gave his chest a light shove. “Be serious.”
    He let her go and rolled his eyes. “Being friends with you is like taking a battering ram to my ego sometimes. It might surprise you to know that some women do find me attractive.”
    “I find you attractive,” she blurted, anxious to make amends so that no more of her friends would be angry with her. The universe might implode if Tosh and Jason both stopped speaking to her. At least, her universe would implode.
    “Really?” Tosh drawled. “Tell me more.”
    She laughed and shook her head. “Meeting your brother has made me more curious about your family. Are they all like you two?” Tosh and Keegan were irrepressible. How could one family produce more than two such characters?
    “No,” Tosh said. “Keegan and I are the shy ones.”
    Lacy laughed, and it felt good. Tosh smiled. “You have the best laugh, Lacy.” He drew her close again, but this time it was for a friendly hug. She rested her head on his chest and enjoyed the comforting warmth of his embrace.
    “This is more like it,” Keegan said approvingly as he arrived unannounced in the room. “Supper is ready.”
    Lacy poked Tosh in the side. “Tell him the truth about us,” she whispered.
    He sighed as he led the way back into the kitchen. “Keegan, Lacy and I aren’t actually dating,” he said. “Technically. I mean, we spend almost all our time together, go out every weekend, and have kissed, but…”
    “We’re not dating,” Lacy cut in with an annoyed glance in Tosh’s direction. “We’re friends, very good friends.”
    “Really?” Keegan asked. He set down the dish he was holding and leaned toward her. “So you’re available then?”
    “No,” she said. “I mean, I’m physically available, but emotionally…” She trailed off, not wanting to get into her life’s history with this stranger, even though he was staring at her with the same concerned look Tosh often gave her. The compassion gene must run strong in their family. “Tosh and I have a lot of fun together,” she said. “But I’m not ready for anything more with anyone right now.”
    “Hmm,” Keegan said, eyeing her thoughtfully. “We just need to figure out a way to get you over the hump and back on your feet again.”
    “Exactly,” Tosh agreed. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell her. She needs to date someone loving, caring, and loyal to prove to her that all guys aren’t jerks.” Lacy knew he considered himself to be that guy.
    “Nah,” Keegan said. “She needs to have a wild fling where she’s the one in control. Then she can walk away and know she has her esteem still intact.”
    Tosh shook his head. Lacy wondered if he, too, was thinking of Jason just then. “No way. Lacy’s not like that. She’s not a fling type person.”
    “And that’s why it’s perfect,” Keegan said. “She should break out of the mold and do something different.”
    The brothers bickered for a couple of minutes until Lacy finally interrupted. “Uh, guys, I’m right here. You’re talking about me like I’m not in the room.”
    “That’s because we’re trying to figure out what’s best for you, Lacy,” Keegan