Death by Pumpkin Spice by Alex Erickson Read Free Book Online Page A

huffed. “Get up, you idiot.”
    Someone barked out a harsh laugh as Quentin shot to his feet. He refused to raise his eyes past shin-level, and I got the distinct impression he had to do that often when he was around her.
    â€œIf you think I would ever marry you, you are delusional,” Jessica went on, unrelenting. “I don’t need your money, if that is what you think. And since you can barely perform in the best of conditions, I don’t need that, either.” Another round of laughter met that, further deepening the growing flush on Quentin’s face.
    â€œJessica, please.”
    â€œJessica, please,” she mocked, voice going an octave higher. “God, what an idiot. To think I wasted so much time on you.” She turned and stormed away, still muttering to herself. She nearly bumped into a man in a black suit and hat who was just entering as she left the room. The man looked startled, and then guilty, as he watched her go.
    Quentin stood in the center of the room, unable to look at anyone for a long, horrible moment. When someone else started laughing—this time a woman—he bolted for the hall, calling out, “Jessica!” as he went.
    â€œWow,” Vicki said under her breath. “That was rough.”
    â€œNo kidding.” If it had happened to me, I’d probably have died right then and there. I couldn’t imagine ever being that cruel to someone, especially someone you were supposedly close to.
    â€œExcuse me, Krissy.”
    I tensed and then plastered on a smile as I turned. “Paul. How good to see you.”
    A tense silence filled the air. Will took a step closer to me but didn’t put a protective arm around me, which earned him a few points in my book. I didn’t need someone claiming me like some sort of child’s toy, though having him near made me feel a little better.
    â€œI think we’ve met,” Shannon said, giving me a friendly smile.
    â€œWe have,” I said, doing my best to be pleasant. There was no reason for the claws to come out. Paul simply wasn’t interested in me. I couldn’t fault him for that. And from what little I’d seen of Shannon, she seemed nice enough.
    And besides, I was here with Will.
    Paul cleared his throat and turned to Will. “Paul Dalton,” he said, holding out his hand.
    â€œWill Foster.” They shook.
    Vicki and Mason had retreated a few steps but were keeping an eye on the festivities. Vicki was watching Paul like a hawk, as if waiting for him to do or say something she didn’t approve of. I think Mason’s hand on her wrist was the only thing keeping her from marching up to Paul and demanding to know why he’d turned his back on me.
    We all looked at each other, unsure what to say next. As far as uncomfortable silences went, this one was a doozy. My eyes met Paul’s for a heartbeat; then we both looked away as if just looking at one another would get us into trouble with our dates.
    My eyes fell on someone I recognized, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I’d found a way out of this mess before it could get any worse.
    â€œOh! There’s someone I’d like to talk to. I’ll see you later, Paul.”
    I grabbed Will’s hand and practically dragged him across the room to where Heidi Lawyer stood, looking as out of place and miserable as I felt. Her husband had been murdered a few months back, so I suppose she could be going by her maiden name, Harper, now, but she would forever be a Lawyer to me. She actually looked relieved when she saw me walking toward her.
    â€œMs. Hancock,” she said with only a cursory glance at Will. “I’m surprised to see you here.”
    â€œCall me Krissy,” I said, giving her a brief, uncertain hug. I hadn’t been sure she’d want to talk to me. During the process of solving her husband’s murder, I’d accused her of some pretty icky things. I wouldn’t have blamed