Free Grapes of Death by Joni Folger

ridiculous , she told herself. It’s just Jackson.
    To her irritation, white teeth flashed in a grin that was just a teensy bit wicked and told her he was reading her thoughts perfectly and enjoying every bit of it.
    The band started the next lively song in their set, and without taking his eyes from hers Jackson annoyed her a tad more by holding a hand out to her best friend. “Hey, C.C., you wanna dance?”
    C.C. jumped up and gave a hoot. “You know it, gorgeous! I love this song.”
    Elise watched them make their way through the crowd to the dance floor. Though she was loath to admit it, she recognized jealousy as it reared its ugly head in the middle of her chest.
    Which, of course, is just stupid , she thought with a frown. She and Jackson may have a strong chemistry, but she had a damn boyfriend. For crying out loud, she had no business mentally drooling over her brother’s best friend. A friend she’d known for most of her life. Besides, if they hadn’t been able to hook up by now, it probably wasn’t meant to be in the first place. Who wants to mess with a close family friendship like that? Not her.
    She tried to rid herself of the feeling by silently repeating Stuart’s name, and it irritated the hell out of her that she couldn’t quite picture his face. Every time she tried, all she could see was Jackson’s handsome face smiling at her from across the table.
    â€œI’m hitting the ladies’ room,” she announced to no one in particular. Maybe all she needed was some air.
    As it turned out she’d been right and the break did wonders. By the time she’d freshened up her makeup and fluffed her hair, she was feeling much more in control.
    â€œHey, Elise,” a soft voice said from behind.
    She looked up as Harmony Gates came out of the third stall. “Hey, Harmony, how you doin’?”
    â€œI’m good.” The other woman giggled and swayed a bit as she stepped to the sink to wash her hands. “Man, it’s really packed tonight, huh? Like a great big party. I’m having the best time.”
    â€œYeah, they’re making a killing, all right. Are you here with Bud?”
    â€œHell no! Bud and I broke up awhile back. No, I’m just here with some friends, same as you.” Harmony snickered and wiggled her eyebrows. “We got us a designated driver, so the rest of us are cuttin’ loose.”
    Maybe it was the poppers, or maybe it was her imagination, but as Elise touched up her lipstick, she got the distinct impression that Harmony was studying her in the mirror.
    And it felt a little creepy.
    â€œI saw Jackson come in,” the woman said, never taking her eyes off Elise as she dried her hands. “You know, he and Maelene called it quits. You think you two might finally get together?”
    Good Lord, is that what this is about?
    Maybe Harmony wanted to make a move on Jackson and she was trying to clear the way. Or maybe it was the alcohol talking. She was unsteady on her feet and obviously a little tipsy. Either way, her question was too close to Elise’s earlier musings, and she thought it was prudent to set the record straight immediately. The last thing the family needed now, with a murder investigation getting underway, was the rumor mill powering up at her and Jackson’s expense.
    â€œLook, Harmony, if you want a shot at Jax, you go right ahead. I have a boyfriend in Dallas.”
    Harmony laughed out loud. It was a harsh, unpleasant sound that grated on Elise’s nerves. “No. I’m engaged to someone else now—someone smarter and better lookin’ than Bud will ever hope to be. You and Jackson have always seemed perfect for each other, that’s all. You should go for it now that he’s a free agent. You know, Elise, Dallas is a long way off.” The woman gave her a quick wink, took a last look in the mirror, and then slipped out of the ladies’ room, leaving