Class Reunion of Murder (4 page)

“It’s Jason Cantor. I can’t believe he came home for the reunion.”

“Oh, yeah, actually…”

“He’s even hotter than he was in high school. I didn’t think that was possible.”

Lacy turned to study Jason. The street was crowded. He had parked his SUV down the block and was heading in their direction. “You think so?”

“Girl, are you blind? The boy is fine.”

“I guess,” Lacy said. Inside, her heart was doing the twitterpated pitter-pat it reserved for him.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Kimber said.

“You do?”

“You’re thinking he’s no Chester Campbell.”

“I am?”

“I am here to tell you there are much better options that Chester Campbell in the world,” Kimber said. “I wonder if Jason’s single. Of course he is. Prime meat like that wouldn’t take itself off the market so soon.”

“What do you think he would do if I marched up and kissed him?” Lacy asked.

Kimber snorted a laugh. “You? Right.”

“I’ll do it,” Lacy said.

“You will not,” Kimber said.

“I will,” Lacy said.

“I once watched you crawl under a table in the middle of the cafeteria to avoid saying hello to a guy you thought was cute, and now you expect me to believe you’re going to go lay one on Jason Cantor.”

“Bet you five bucks,” Lacy said.

Kimber pulled out her wallet and handed Lacy five dollars. “Show me yours,” she commanded.

Lacy stuffed the money in her pocket. “I don’t need to.” She left Kimber and headed toward Jason. “I’m going to kiss you,” she whispered.

“Is that a thing now? Are we announcing our intentions? Okay, then: I’m going to enjoy it,” he whispered.

“Make it look good,” she said.

“Baby, I don’t know any other way,” he said. She kissed him. He kissed her back. She couldn’t be sure, but she guessed it probably looked pretty good.

“Come meet Kimber,” Lacy said, taking his hand when the kiss was finished.

“I’ve known Kimber since I was five,” Jason said.

“You know Kimber, but you don’t
know
Kimber.”

They walked hand in hand back to Kimber whose face was photo-worthy. “That was weird,” she said.

“I was going to tell you that Jason lives here. We’ve sort of been seeing each other,” Lacy said.

“Hey, Kimber,” Jason added.

“Is this some sort of prank?” Kimber asked. She looked between them, searching their faces.

“No, we’re serious,” Lacy said. “I mean, we’re not serious. We just started dating a few weeks ago. Someday maybe, but these things take time, and I don’t want to rush because you never know where the other person stands. What was the question?”

Kimber tuned her out and focused on Jason. “Seriously, what’s going on?”

“We’re seeing each other. Why is that weird?” he said.

“I’ve known both of you forever, and I never would have put you together. Never,” she added emphatically.

“Maybe you know me, but you don’t
know
me.” Jason said. “Lacy does, and she approves.” He winked and smiled at her while Kimber gawked.

“We can all have a chance to catch up tonight at the welcome party,” Lacy said.

“That’s what I came to talk to you about,” Jason said. “There’s a work thing. I can’t talk about it, but I’m going to be tied up all night. Don’t do the eyes, Lacy. That breaks my heart. I took tomorrow off—I’m yours all day.”

Perhaps it was shallow and immature, but Lacy had been looking forward to debuting their new relationship at the welcome party. If their classmates’ reactions were as dramatic as Kimber’s, then the night would be a lot of fun. Now Lacy would have to go dateless, just like old times. Work was work, though, and she had been busy the last few weeks, too. “No work tomorrow. Promise?”

“I’ll leave my phone at home,” he said, raising his hand as if taking an oath. “But now I have to go. Walk me to my car. Good seeing you again, Kimber.” He gave her a little wave. She was still staring mutely at them.

“My ego is being pummeled by her disbelief,” Lacy said.

“What are you talking about?” Jason said. “She thinks you’re slumming it with me.”

He sounded sincere, but how was that possible? Kimber was obviously remembering the differences between them in high school. When Lacy thought about it, she did, too. What were they doing together? “Jason, you have no idea what people think when they look at us.”

“Lacy, I know exactly what people think when they look at us,” Jason said. “Why else do you think I turn into a jealous, possessive moron at the slightest provocation?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t think you were the jealous type.”

“I’m not. Only when it comes to you, apparently. I’m sorry about tonight. I know you were looking forward to it.”

“Tomorrow will be fun,” she said.

“We could get an early start by meeting for a run,” he suggested.

“I’m staying at the hotel with Kimber,” she reminded him.

“The high school is a few blocks away. We can use the track.”

“Let’s swim,” she suggested. “We can use the hotel pool.”

“Is this another clever way to avoid running with me?” he asked.

“How often do you get to swim in a hotel pool? We should take advantage of the opportunity while we can,” Lacy said.

“That’s true; I often lie awake at night and yearn for the chance to use a hotel pool. Let’s not let this golden moment slip away; although, I’m onto you, and someday you and I are going to go for a jog.”

“I’m not afraid of you,” Lacy said.

“Yeah? You should be. I know things about you.” He kissed her cheek because Kimber was still staring at them. “Good luck with her. See you tomorrow.”

“See you,” she said. She waved and watched him drive away before heading back to Kimber.

“So, what else are you going to spring on me?” Kimber asked when Lacy returned. “I don’t talk to you for over a year, you call me up, tell me you’ve moved back home, you’re a millionaire, and conveniently leave out the part where you’re dating Jason Cantor. By the way, I find that more shocking than the million dollars.”

“Is it really that big of a deal?” Lacy asked.

“Yes, of course it is.”

“Why? I mean, I know we weren’t in the same group in high school, but that was a long time ago.”

“It’s not high school. I know you—you’re looking for Mr. Darcy. Jason isn’t Mr. Darcy.”

“Don’t say he’s Wickham, because he’s not,” Lacy warned.

“No, he’s not Wickham, but thanks for proving my point. Does he even know what
Pride and Prejudice
is?”

“Jason is not stupid,” Lacy said. Kimber’s disbelief was making her defensive.

“Of course he’s not stupid. Not every jock is stupid, but that’s the point: he’s a jock. You’re Elizabeth Bennett and he’s David Beckham. What could you possibly have in common?”

“There’s a lot more to him than being athletic,” Lacy said.

“Yes, there’s being gorgeous. I get it, but how far does the physical attraction go?”

“Surprisingly far,” Lacy said. Her attraction to Jason hadn’t dimmed even slightly.

“Someday he’s going to be old, and then what? What could you possibly have in common?”

“Not much,” Lacy conceded.

“Exactly,” Kimber said.

“But I had everything in common with Tosh, and the sizzle wasn’t there. I don’t know how or why, but Jason and I work.”

“Who is Tosh?” Kimber said.

“He’s my brother-in-law, I guess. Did I not tell you Riley was married?”

“No, you didn’t. Why don’t you start from the last time we saw each other and go day by day?” Kimber suggested.

“All right. Let’s start with the StakelyBuilding.” She hooked her arm through Kimber’s and led her to her pride and joy, the renovated StakelyBuilding. Joe Anton met them at the door wearing the same black shirt and shiny plastic badge he had been sporting for weeks, ever since Michael hatched the idea to hire him.
He’s here every day anyway. Why not give him a job?
The suggestion coincided with Jason’s insistence that she beef up security, so Lacy installed a surveillance system in the building and hired Joe to officially oversee it. He was paid for fifteen hours of work, but he spent all day, every day in the building. After being Lacy’s shadow for so long, he tentatively began making himself known to the other tenants who accepted him with open hearts. Now Lacy only saw him in passing as he made his rounds, and she missed him.

“Kimber, this is Joe, our security guard extraordinaire. How’s everything today, Joe?”

“Quiet,” Joe said. “The ice cream shop is making caramel today. I told them to save some for you.”

“Thank you,” Lacy said. “Do you want to come up to my office and have some coffee with us?”

“No, thanks. My stomach finally stopped burning after last time.”

“Joe likes to play this little game where he pretends my coffee is terrible,” Lacy explained.

“Don’t drink it,” Joe warned Kimber before ambling away.

“Is he really a security guard?” Kimber whispered.

“Sure,” Lacy said.

“His badge was made of plastic.”

“The sheriff’s office gives them out to kids. Jason gave me one as a joke. Joe found it in my office and kept it. He never takes it off. I could swear I saw him polishing it the other day.”

“I’m on weirdness overload,” Kimber said.

“It’s about to get worse. Here comes Michael.”

“Lacy, Cindy told me to ask you to have the heating duct between our stores checked. It may be blocked,” he said.

“Why didn’t Cindy ask me herself?” Lacy said.

“That would have been a bit awkward considering you stole her boyfriend,” Michael said.

“I did not steal her boyfriend,” Lacy argued. “They weren’t dating. They were just friends. They hadn’t dated for years. For her to send you on an errand so she doesn’t have to talk to me is beyond immature.”

“I agree totally. Good thing I made it all up. You should check that vent, though. It’s rattling. Who’s your friend?” He turned his attention to Kimber who had probably been the object of his intentions the entire time. He had an uncanny sense about the nearness of beautiful women, like some sort of internal alarm that sent his charm into overdrive. And while there was no hostility between them anymore, Michael could still drive Lacy crazy.

“This is my former roommate, Kimber.”

“Let me guess: you and Lacy met in prison,” Michael said.

“Work release,” Kimber clarified.

“Go bother the other kids now, Michael. The grownups are taking a tour,” Lacy said.

“As you wish,” Michael said and ambled back to his store.

“He’s fun,” Kimber declared.

“He thinks so,” Lacy said. She shoved Michael out of her mind and gave Kimber the grand tour of the StakelyBuilding, introducing her to the vendors. Except for the introductions, Kimber was quiet as they made their perusal. She waited to speak until they were back outside.

“Okay, I’ll admit that was pretty cool. All of those vendors are implants?”

“Everyone except Cindy,” Lacy said. “I’ve been talking to more of the locals about some ideas. We have room for so many more people; I think we need more artists.”

“Lacy,” Kimber warned.

“What?” Lacy asked.

“I’m not moving back here. Ever.”

“Why do you automatically assume I mean you? I know other artists, and so does Michael. He’s been instrumental in getting the word out to bring people in.” She owed him a lot, and she was puzzled by that. Michael was a newcomer who showed no interest in the town, except for the StakelyBuilding. In that area, his commitment and passion matched hers. He brainstormed with her, brought suggestions of his own, and attended town council meetings when Stakely business was being discussed. Of course more business for the StakelyBuilding meant more business for his guitar shop, but she sensed his interest went deeper than financial. Despite his constant teasing, they had become friends, but he still remained a bit of a mystery.

“You’re calculating, I can tell,” Kimber said, drawing Lacy back to the present.

“You’re paranoid,” Lacy said. “Have I mentioned a word about you moving back here? No. By the way, how is Andy?” Andy was a friend from college, one whom Kimber’d had a crush on since freshman year. They lived in the same city, though Kimber was too proud to ever admit she had followed him there.

“Andy is still Andy. He’s great. We spend most of our weekends together, platonically. He really gets me, you know? When I dropped out of med school and started sculpting, Andy was the only person who didn’t suggest therapy, present company excluded. Thanks for that, by the way. I really appreciate your support. My parents certainly didn’t understand how I could set aside a promising career in medicine to be a sculptor.”

Lacy hadn’t either. But at the time, she had been so mixed up that it had seemed hypocritical to offer unsolicited advice. Not that Kimber would have taken it, anyway. There was a time when Kimber had been a world-class people pleaser. After figuring out who she was and what she wanted, she now leaned the other direction. Pride or anger tended to make her contrary.

“I would love to see some of your stuff in person sometime,” Lacy said. “I have a feeling that the internet doesn’t do it justice.”

Kimber brightened. “Come for a visit. Andy misses you, too.”

“That would be great, but I’ve been so busy lately. Maybe you could bring some of your pieces here.”

Kimber stopped short and planted her hands on her hips. “Lacy, I am not moving back here. Ever.”

“How does me wanting to see your work equal an invitation to move back home?”

“I know you,” Kimber said and faltered. “Or I used to. Something is definitely different with you. Tonight, you’re going to spill your guts until I figure out what it is.”

“That sounds delightful. But first, we have the reunion party.”

Kimber’s expression turned bleak. “Oh, that.” She clutched furtively at Lacy’s arm. “It’s not still going to be like high school, is it?”

“No, of course it’s not,” Lacy said. “High school was a long time ago. We’re not the same people we were then. We’re grownups. We’re totally different.” Her impassioned speech was ruined when she tripped on a root and sprawled on the sidewalk.