Page 34 of Kill for a Kiss

“Mm-hmm.” He grumbles something that vaguely resembles a greeting and gives a lazy grin. “Mornin’, Ma. Mornin’, Elle.”

“Good morning.” I quickly look back at my tea, pretending to study the honey settling at the bottom.

Stan stretches and drops into the chair beside me. He tilts his head. “Did I interrupt something?”

Clo smiles over her teacup. “Not at all. Elle and I were simply having a chat.”

Stan hums, already looking halfway back into a nap, his body slouching into the chair. “Hope it wasn’t anything too serious. Mornings should be easy, y’know?”

My gaze flicks toward him. He looks so at home, so effortlessly himself, even when he’s half-asleep. It’s intriguing, really, the way he seems to fit into every moment.

Clo’s eyes move from him to me. “Yes,” she says, “mornings should be easy.”

The words feel off, as if there’s more to them. A chill ripples down my spine again. Beside me, Stan leans back with one arm stretched along the back of my chair, the other idly twirling a butter knife between his fingers, far too casually for how precise he’s doing it.

I should eat. I know I should. Clo would want me to, but instead, I watch them. They talk while Clo pours tea into Stan’s mug. Her words glide, light as silk. And Stan’s relaxed, grinning, as he grabs his mug and a piece of toast, biting into it with casual indulgence before glancing at Clo. “You’re gonna tell me to sit properly, aren’t you?”

Clo hums, nudging his mug closer. “You read my mind. And drinkyour tea. It’s good for you.”

He smirks, wriggling a little in his chair without really changing his posture. “You stress over small stuff, but look at me, Ma. I turned out alright, didn’t I?”

Clo sighs, long-suffering, but still smiling a bit. “Debatable.”

I blink a few times, watching them interact and continue their conversation, while I observe, forgetting why my shoulders are tense, so I draw them down. I press my teacup to my lips to hide the small smile starting to form, mirroring hers.

“Don’t let her fool you, Elle,” Stan says, turning to me. “She spoils me rotten. Always has.”

Clo lifts a brow. “Do I?”

“Oh, absolutely.” He leans forward, elbows resting on the table. “I’m the favorite.”

“You’re the youngest,” Clo corrects.

“Tomato, tomahto,” he says, chin up.

I let out a quiet giggle, warmth fluttering in my chest. Their rhythm is so natural, it pulls me in. For a moment, I forget the weight I always seem to carry. I forget the gaps, the missing pieces, and the strange sense that something is always just out of reach.

Stan leans back, stretching his arms with a satisfied sigh. “Alright, Elle,” he says, glancing over at me. “How about we go for another ride today? You’ve still got a lot of practice to do, holding onto me.”

The suggestion comes so easily from him that my breath hitches. I try to speak, but Clo does it for me. “Oh, that’s a lovely idea,” she says, setting her full cup down. “But I have a better one.”

Stan raises his brows. “Yeah? What’s the occasion?”

Clo stirs her coffee. “I’ve been working on a new line of wine. Something exclusive from the family’s collection. I’d love for you both to try it.” Her gaze finds me. “There’s a venue that’ll start serving it exclusively soon. It’s by the coast. You’ll love it,Elle.”

There’s no question in her voice, but it doesn’t feel like a command. Clo never seems to demand. She simply suggests, and somehow, it always feels like the most natural choice in the world.

Still, Stan scoffs. “So basically, I’m playing chauffeur while you show off some wine of yours?”

Clo gives him a look. “You love driving. Almost as much as you love driving me crazy.”

He presses a hand to his chest, dramatic. “I’m wounded by these accusations, Mother.”

Clo laughs gracefully, then turns to me again. “What do you say, Elle? A scenic drive, a beautiful venue… Maybe even a taste of something truly special?”

The way she says it, like I’ve always been part of this, makes warmth settle in my chest. I nod before I can think too hard. “That sounds…special.”

Stan sighs, heavy, but still throws me a wink. “Well, looks like we’re getting wined and dined.”