Page 151 of Tell No Lies

Slowly, her body began to relax, and her back hit the chair. “That’s actually really smart.”

“I told you!” Brandon was looking among the three of us as if he was wondering how he’d missed the boat.

“No. You didn’t. You never explained why it looked like this, or why our waiter looks like he hasn’t bathed in weeks. I get it now.”

Mike began chuckling. “Actually, that’s just how Adam always looks. He thinks the ocean is the same as a shower.”

Liv groaned while raising the menu to cover her face.

Brandon watched her then turned and caught my eye. Drama queen, he mouthed, and her arm shot up and slapped him in the arm. He yelped in surprise.

“I know you well enough, Brandon, to know you just made fun of me.” The menu never lowered. This woman was a ninja.

Mike and I shared a look before bursting out laughing. Brandon shot us each a glare while rubbing his arm.

“Now who’s being a drama queen?”

Brandon jerked, and Mike yelled out. “What was that for?” He looked a mix between mad and containing his laughter.

My quiet chuckles exploded, causing Liv to finally drop her menu. With a look at the three of us, she swatted Brandon with the folded menu. “What did you do to the children? We’re supposed to be their chaperones, not get them kicked out of the restaurant.” She looked around at the other tables with an overly apologetic expression.

I followed her motion and realized we had the attention of every person in the surrounding area. Using one hand to cover my mouth and, hopefully, my laughter, I used the other to wave apologetically to the guests.

“You are a menace!” Liv whisper-yelled at Brandon.

He looked truly remorseful for about half a second, before pointing a finger across the table. “She started it!”

I gaped in shock. Did he really just try to pull that? Was he three?

Liv looked at me and winked. “Say you’re sorry to your sister for embarrassing her in front of the entire restaurant and her date.”

Brandon’s eyes narrowed, challenging her.

“Say it.”

In a barely audible whisper, he grumbled, “I’m sorry, Aubrey.” He side-glanced at Liv to make sure she was happy.

When Liv nodded and looked back at the menu, he turned back to me.

You’ll pay later, he mouthed.

I stuck out my tongue and shrugged. Watching someone tell Brandon what to do was new for me. Even when he lived at home, Mom knew better. Having Liv around would be very convenient for me.

Adam came back to take our orders, and our food was out suspiciously fast.

“See! Look how good it all looks.” Brandon was trying hard to get back on Liv’s good side.

“It looks great, but that doesn’t mean very much when it comes to food.” She poked at her fish with little interest.

“Liv, if I can eat it, you know it’s good.”

She laughed and cut off a piece. “You’re right. I’m surprised to see you eat something other than Mexican food. I didn’t know you had such a broad palate.” She winked and took a bite.

All eyes were on her, waiting for a reaction. She chewed slowly, being overdramatic in her careful consideration.

“Hmm … it’s not bad.”

“That’s it?” Mike seemed to be getting as frustrated with her as Brandon.