“Uhh,” Bree said. “Is she okay?”
Both my sisters were studying me.
“You look kind of… not okay,” Audria said. “Constipation again? I’ve told you a million times you need to keep up with the fiber. It’s not just something you do when you feel like it, it’s-”
“No,” I said. I shook my head. “It’s just that I already met him. At the vending machine.”
Bree squinted. “You guys exchanged names?”
“Yeah, and he looked like he wanted to murder me with an axe when he heard mine. For some reason, I don’t think we’re going to like whatever he has to tell us.”2LandonI tossed the bag of Skittles in the trash. My father’s death had me feeling stupidly sentimental, I guess. I hadn’t eaten the things in years.
I was waiting just outside the lobby where I was supposed to meet the Wainwright sisters—Andi, in particular. But I’d accidentally gotten a jump on that directive, hadn’t I?
Even though I wasn’t sure I’d ever come face to face with the Wainwright sisters, I’d always known how the encounter would go. I’d hate them. It wouldn’t matter if they were Kindergarten teachers, charity workers, or the hottest damn women on the planet. I’d hate them purely out of principal, just like I had from afar for most of my life.
Meeting Andi unexpectedly hadn’t been part of the plan. But it was just a quick conversation. Sure, I hadn’t hated her. I’d even enjoyed the little exchange, but I was certain I could put it all behind me once I’d had a little more time. After all, hating people was much easier than the alternative, and God knew I had plenty of practice.
I raked a hand through my hair and tried to refocus. The Wainwright sisters were the enemy, I reminded myself. Even Andi. Especially Andi.
Fuck it.
I walked into the lobby, spotted them all gathered around a pair of armchairs in the corner, and headed toward them.
Andi was facing me with her head down as she read something on her Kindle—probably one of the many trashy novels I’d seen in her library. She had a simple look about her—with brown hair, brown eyes, an upturned nose, and a slightly too-wide smile. And yet I’d found it hard to look away from her. Maybe it was just the effortlessness about her. She’d been wearing an “I don’t give a shit” outfit, didn’t appear to be doused in makeup, and probably hadn’t spent more than a few seconds on her hair. She’d felt real. Far more real than the women in my life.
Her youngest sister was in the chair across from her. She had the pretty, innocent teacher’s pet kind of look about her. A black-haired Wainwright sister sat on the floor cross legged. She was glaring at something in her lap.
Andi looked up when I stopped in front of them. It looked like she wanted to say something but couldn’t quite figure out how to word it. Instead of giving her the chance, I started talking.
“Your grandfather asked me to come,” I said. “I’m Landon Collins. I just need Andi to come with me.”
“What?” asked the black-haired one. I’d never let myself look up pictures of the girls, but I knew Audria was the oldest, and undoubtedly the one sitting on the ground. “Why just her?”
“My job isn’t to answer all your questions. Andi can come with me and find out what she needs to do to get her share of the hotel, or she can stay here and get nothing. Simple as that.”
All three of them were glaring at me now. Good. This was more like the way I’d imagined meeting them would go. Hostility. Anger. The way it should be.
“How do I know you’re not a serial killer?” Andi asked.
“I had you alone just a few minutes ago. I could’ve done whatever I wanted with you.” I inwardly cringed at the way the words sounded once they left my lips. I had imagined what it would be like to do a few things to her before I’d heard her name. Pinning her against the wall and tasting her with a kiss, for starters. Tying her wrists together with those fluffy pink socks…
“Where am I supposed to go?” Andi asked.
“Downstairs, to The Golden Pecker.”
The girls exchanged a look, then burst out laughing.
“What?” Andi asked. “If that’s a joke, I don’t get it.”
I stared. “He never told you about it?” I shook my head. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter. You can come with me now, or not. Your choice.”
“You’re sure the lawyers said his name was Landon?” Andi asked Audria.
Audria nodded.
Andi looked back up at me. “I’m going to assume my Grandpa wouldn’t have asked someone to take me to the basement if he thought there was a chance it’d lead to my murder. So, I’m trusting him, not you.”