Shadows of New York by Heather Fraser Brainerd Read Free Book Online Page A

important thing so I thought I’d play that up a little.”
    “It is the most important thing.” Aiden was stunned. “You looked like you were about to cry.”
    Again, Josh appeared to be fighting the giggles. “Yeah, I know. It works pretty well on Mom if I don’t use it too often. Once or twice a year, maybe, if I really want something.”
    Aiden didn’t know what to think. He had bought the whole act because deception like that didn’t seem like Josh’s style. He made a mental note to not fall for it again.
    * * * *
    “Dude, sweet crib!” Larry said as Aiden let him into the apartment. Steve sauntered in behind Larry, looking lost, as usual.
    “Yeah, it’s uh, it’s pretty insane,” Aiden agreed.
    The Summer Solstice party was in full swing. The apartment was packed with the Coopers’ friends, relatives, and business associates. New age music, like something you’d hear while getting a massage, played in the background. Mrs. F-G had outdone herself with the food, which covered almost every square inch of the dining room table. She had enlisted Aiden and Josh’s services to help with the prep work. They spent the afternoon slicing cheese, mashing avocados, and stuffing mushrooms. The ingredients were all organic and/or artisanal.
    Overall, it was the best Summer Solstice party Aiden had ever attended. Of course, it was also the only Summer Solstice party he’d ever attended.
    “Oh, these must be your friends!” Jennifer said as she swept in from the dining room wearing a long, flowing, batik-printed dress. “It’s such a pleasure to meet Aiden’s friends. I’m so glad you could make it!”
    “Well, hello there,” Larry said suavely. His exceptional good looks, athletic build, and thick dark hair always made him a hit with the ladies. Not to mention his clothes, which were always one step ahead of the latest fashion trend. He liked to play this up whenever possible. “The pleasure is all mine.” He took Jennifer’s hand and kissed it.
    “Oh! My!”
    “I’m Larry,” he said, still using his suave voice, one eyebrow raised.
    “Short for Lawrence?”
    “No, actually, short for Larry.” He switched to the other eyebrow. Aiden couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
    “Your given name is Larry?” Jennifer looked confused.
    “Well, yes, Larry is the name that was, uh, given to me.” Larry’s tone was losing its flirtatiousness.
    “So, your proper name is Larry, not Lawrence?”
    “Right.” Larry dropped Jennifer’s hand.
    “Larry, this is Jennifer Cooper,” Aiden broke in. “And Jennifer, this guy over here is Steve Lickerman.”
    “Steve?” Jennifer asked. “Or Stephen?”
    “Ste…phen,” Steve said, pausing halfway through his name as Jennifer’s attention was called elsewhere and finishing as she turned to give a half-hearted hug to another new arrival. It wasn’t uncommon for him to get lost in the shuffle. His height (well over six feet) and hair (bright red) should have made him more noticeable, but his quiet demeanor and mismatched, rumpled clothes tended to push him into the background. Aiden considered him, in so many ways, the anti-Larry.
    Having lost interest in Jennifer, Larry wandered away in search of other females to chat up.
    “She’s got something about proper names,” Aiden said to Steve, answering his puzzled look. He gave a shrug that said he didn’t really get it either and led Steve through the archway into the dining room.
    “What a spread!” Steve gazed at the laden table.
    “Help yourself.” Aiden gestured to the stack of square white plates.
    Steve did so, filling his plate with hors d’oeuvres until it resembled the Leaning Tower of Pisa. He looked around for a place to sit and eat. The dining room chairs had been placed around the edge of the room, making the buffet more accessible. The chairs were filled with guests who chatted and munched. “Where should I…?” Steve trailed off.
    “Let’s try the great room.”
    This room was, if