Page 50 of Homecoming

Ellery shrugged. “We’re still open, so that’s something, I guess.”

She’d struggled for years to make her bed-and-breakfast business profitable.

“I had to hire a part-time person to handle the breakfast and checkout so I could get the kids to school.”

“How’re the kids?”

“They’re getting so big. Annabelle is obsessed with cheerleading, and Keaton is all about soccer. They keep us busy.”

“Keaton scored two goals last weekend,” Jessie said.

“That’s amazing! Dan and I want to come see him play while we’re home.”

“How long will you be here?” Ellery asked.

“I’m not sure yet. It depends on what happens in the next week or so.”

“The whole situation is so shocking,” Jessie said. “No one knows what to think.”

“I sure as hell hope they know Kirby had nothing to do with whatever happened to that woman,” Renata said.

“A friend of mine was at the bar they were at Friday night,” Jessie said. “They saw Keith dancing with her and said he had his hands all over her. The cops talked to her and took her statement.”

“Dancing isn’t the same as murder,” Renata said.

“I never said it was,” Jessie retorted in a sharp tone that took Kara by surprise. “I’m sorry. I know he’s your cousin and brother, and you guys don’t want to think he’s capable of something like this.”

“He’s an asshole, not a murderer,” Renata said.

Kara had never experienced such an uncomfortable moment with her three closest childhood friends, who’d also been close to one another.

“How’s my cousin?” Ellery asked Renata.

“He’s fine.”

“Heard a rumor that you’re his plus-one to Nate’s wedding.”

“It’s just as a favor so people won’t drive him crazy asking why he’s not dating anyone.”

“So you want them to think he’s dating you?”

“No! Not at all. We’re just friends or whatever.”

“Right,” Ellery said skeptically. “Does he know that?”

“Yes, I told him it’s just a favor. Nothing else.”

“Poor Myles,” Ellery said. “He’s crazy about Renata, and everyone knows it but her.”

“He is not crazy about me,” Renata said, sounding panicked. “That’s ridiculous.”

“No, it isn’t,” Ellery said. “He’s a nice guy, and for some reason, he’s decided you’re the one he wants.”

“‘For some reason’? What the fuck does that mean?”

Ellery shrugged. “Take it however you want.”

Renata glared at Ellery. For a second, Kara worried her cousin might reach across the table to smack their friend.

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