Page 11 of The Princess and the Pizza Man

Will didn’t have to go very far before running into his sister; Bells was already in the main foyer, perched on the bottom stair and looking like she’d been waiting for him to emerge.

“Will…”

“Think you shoulda clued me in?” he said, embarrassment shaking his voice. She shrugged innocently, batting her eyes in the way she’d always done when she knew she was wrong.

He sighed. “I’m goin’ to bed.”

“It’s only eight o’clock.”

“Nine where we’re from.”

She pushed off the stair and clacked her way over, her dress swishing with every movement. Noise from the dining hall echoed in the distance. Will looked over his shoulder, hopin’ Winter wasn’t following him. He’d most likely scared the living daylights outta her. But she’d acted well, only once seeming to break character. He’d seen it in her eyes, the character disappearing and a person taking its place. Who else was in on it? Joshua, obviously. What about her security guard, Ms. Vancouver, the man sitting next to Bells at dinner…?

I’m a fool.

“Is our entire stay a murder mystery?” he asked. Bells gave him that innocent look again.

“Yes. But don’t look at me like that. It’s fun. You’ll love it. Adds a twist to the whole place, right?”

“If you’re so confident in me liking it, why didn’t you tell me?”

He had her there. She pursed her lips and crossed her arms in defense. “You’d thrown such a fit when I asked you to come with me, not to mention all the whining on the drive up here, and you’ve been a party pooper since we walked through those exquisite double doors. So don’t you go accusing me of making things worse when it’s you who needs an attitude adjustment.”

“I just humiliated myse—”

“And another thing.” She jabbed a finger into his shoulder. “Stop moping about the weather. We’re inside for pete’s sake.”

“Geez, Bells, I’m not trying to—”

“This could be it, Will. This could be the place I find the love of my life. I brought you for support, so support me. Put on a smile, even if it’s fake as all get out. You owe me that much.”

He let her take a beat. Her face had turned the color of fruit punch, her hair loosening from its up-do. Her dramatics didn’t surprise him much anymore, but they did when she brought up some good points in her ranting. The way she made him feel bad when he was initially irritated with her was one of her super powers. And she used it often.

“’Kay,” he said when he was sure he wouldn’t get interrupted again, “I’ll smile. I’ll enjoy it, a’right? But, gosh, Bells, try to fill me in on the detailsbeforeI think someone’s been murdered right in front of me.”

She snickered, the tension leaving her shoulders. “This way was much more fun to watch. You shoulda seen everyone when you dragged the star of the show from the room.”

He ran a hand down his face, covering the rising heat. “I should makeyouexplain all of that.”

She waved him off. “Oh, everyone just thinks you’re a part of the act.”

“Not the actors.”

“Winter will tell them, I’m sure.” She twisted a finger around one of her red curls and let it bounce against her shoulder. “They’re really good. Not a single person broke character. I’m actually not one hundred percent sure who’s a guest and who’s an actor.”

“Guy next to you is in on it.”

“Garreth?” she said, disappointment tickling the edges of her voice.

“The big guy.”

“Oh, that’s Michael. Yeah, he’s definitely one of the actors.”

“What makes you say tha—”

“But Garreth… he’s a guest.” She sighed, her mind gone to whatever else this Garreth was, besides, obviously, a woman-magnet.

Will shucked his hands into his pockets. “When should I talk with him?”

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