Things We Do in the Dark(104)

“Since I married Jimmy, my entire existence has been one big raised eyebrow,” she says dryly. “I have two perfectly good unused guest bedrooms upstairs, and you already know the food and the pool here are better than at any hotel. Just stay, okay? It’s…” She pauses. “It’s nice having you here.”

They make eye contact. Paris looks away first.

“All right, you’re stuck with me for a while longer.” Drew rubs his face. “I could use a shower and a shave, and of course a razor is the one thing I forgot to pack. Any chance you have one I can borrow? Otherwise, I can run back out.”

“I have a Venus disposable I can lend you.” Paris snorts when he makes a face. “Kidding. I’m pretty sure there’s a pack of Gillettes upstairs. I’ll find them for you.”

The doorbell rings. They exchange a look.

“Want me to hide?” Drew asks.

While he says it in a joking tone, they both know it’s a legitimate question. A houseguest so soon? And a man, to boot? There’ll be questions. And judgment.

“No,” Paris says, sounding more decisive than she feels. “You’re my guest. You don’t have to hide from anything or anyone.”

The doorbell rings again, and then there’s a muffled knock, as if someone is using an elbow or a knee to bang on the door.

“You sure?” Drew says. “I can make myself scarce. Although my rental car is parked in the driveway.”

“I’m a free woman now, and you’re my friend. I don’t owe anybody an explanation.” Paris pads toward the front door, and Drew follows. “Although, there’s no reason to give specifics if anyone asks how you and I know each other. Let’s just keep it vague.”

She unlocks the door. Zoe is standing on the porch, her hands full. She’s got her laptop bag over one shoulder and a large cardboard box from the post office in her arms. Piled on top of the box are several unopened packages she must have also picked up. The box is more of Jimmy’s fan mail, of course, a reminder that Paris is going to have to deal with Ruby, and soon.

Not that Ruby would ever let her forget. By now her mother must be well aware that Paris is inheriting everything Jimmy left her, and she’s betting that Ruby will push even harder for her money now that the murder charge has been withdrawn.

Paris is a millionaire now. As is the frizzy-haired woman standing in front of her.

“Why didn’t you just let yourself in?” Paris reaches forward and takes the packages off the top of the box before they can slide off. “You still have your door code.”

“I didn’t want to assume it was okay to use it again,” the former assistant says, stepping inside. “And is that a rental car in the driveway? I saw an Avis sticker—” She stops when she sees Drew. “Oh. Hello.”

“Let me grab this for you.” Drew reaches out to take the box from Zoe’s hands, and then flashes her a charming smile. “I’m Drew. An old friend of J—” He coughs. “Of Paris’s.”

“I’m Zoe,” she says, appearing not to catch the near blunder. She gives him a once-over, and Paris stifles a smile at the slightly breathless tone in the other woman’s voice. “Great to meet you.”

“Can I put this somewhere for you?” Drew asks, his smile widening.

“Anywhere is fine,” Zoe says, still staring up at him.

Paris points down the hallway. “Jimmy’s office is good, if you don’t mind,” she says to Drew with a small smirk. “Thanks.”

When he’s out of sight, Zoe takes the packages back from Paris. “Where did he come from?” she asks. “And is he single? I didn’t see a wedding ring.”

“He’s … actually, I don’t know. We haven’t had a chance to catch up fully yet, but the last time we saw each other, he was in a serious relationship.” It’s the truth. Paris just doesn’t bother to mention that this was nearly twenty years ago. “You want some coffee? And you know you didn’t have to stop by the post office, right? You’re not on the payroll anymore.”

“Yeah, about that,” Zoe says, following her into the kitchen, where she places the packages on the table. “What if I was? I know I said I was planning to move on, but I don’t feel right leaving you to deal with all this. There’s stuff I’ve ordered for Jimmy that will still be arriving that needs to be sorted and returned. There’s his fan mail—”

“I can help with that,” Paris says quickly.

“—and I have to make updates to the website. Also, Jimmy was involved in a lot of charities. He was always talking about starting a foundation, and I thought I could—” Zoe hesitates. “I was going to propose that we honor him by starting it on his behalf. If that’s something you’re interested in. There’s already money earmarked for it in his will, and you wouldn’t have to do much, as I could—”

“Do it,” Paris says immediately. “I’ll kick in ten million. I’d like to be involved, of course, but only behind the scenes. You should be the one to run it. Why don’t we talk more about it after the funeral?”

“Sounds like a plan.” Zoe smiles and squeezes her arm. “Speaking of which, Elsie should be here soon. She wants to help with the arrangements. My advice? Don’t let her take over. Because she will. She thinks she knew Jimmy better than anyone.”