Page 2 of Donut Disaster
“Lottie?”
“Oh yeah, the lake is perfect. We’re going to have a great time.” My adrenaline kicks in as I lead us toward the big event. We’re just about twenty feet away from the crowd, and I can hardly stand the excitement.
We get close and Noah stops dead in his tracks before curling me into him in one svelte move as if we were seasoned ballroom dancers, seasoned lovers for that matter—and we were once.
“Lottie”—Noah’s eyes burn into mine as a smile flirts with his lips—“I’m in love with you.” He presses the words out sweetly, lower than a whisper. “I don’t want there to be anyone between us anymore. You don’t need to say anything—just kiss me. I’ve missed your kisses as much as I’ve missed your body and soul.”
A panic sets in. More people are listening in than he realizes, so I give Meg the signal and the entire area lights up as the crowd screamsSURPRISE! in unison.
Noah takes a staggering step back as he glances around at the party decorations —black and gold foil banners, and party tinsel that flickers like flames under the duress of the gorgeous twinkle lights. Cormack, the aforementioned delusional woman who believes she’s engaged to Noah, hired an event planner for the occasion. I didn’t mind too much because I happen to know Amanda Wellington, and I also know she really could use the money. And since the money being ponied up for fancy tinsel belonged to Cormack, I gave it my blessing.
“What in the heck?” Noah laughs as an entire cast of characters from his past steps up to wish him a happy birthday, starting with his brother. “Alex?”
Alex Fox is exactly the same height as Noah, same dark hair, same winning smile, but his dimples are more comma-like and he looks like a hulk in spite of Noah’s muscular frame. I’ve yet to officially meet this mysterious brother. We’ve been texting for the last couple of weeks, shoring up details and making sure Noah knew nothing of the party. Noah knew Alex would be coming out at some point this month to celebrate his big day, but since his official birthday isn’t for a few weeks, I’m sure we caught him off guard.
Everett comes up with a naughty grin blooming on his lips.
“You did good, Lemon. You don’t need to say anything. Just kiss me,” he teases as his arms swivel around my waist and he lands a kiss to my lips. Everett might be open to me exploring my feelings for Noah, but it’s clear who he wants the winner of my heart to be.
Everett is drop-dead gorgeous, and I mean that in the literal sense. Even now, half the women in the vicinity are craning their necks just to get a better look at him. Everett has black hair, eyes the color of a stormy sky, and a face that makes just about any woman hope he’ll dole out a delicious punishment her way. Everett is slow to smile, serious as a bullet, and is always the smartest person in the room—with the exception of whenever Noah is around. At that point, it’s pretty much tied.
I feel very lucky to have two handsome, brilliant men pining after me, but in all honesty, I’m terrified at what will become of us. Someone’s heart is destined to be broken, and I can’t stand the thought of breaking anyone’s heart.
“Lottie, Everett!” Noah waves us over as he pulls his brother in. “Lottie, this is my brother Alex, ex-Marine turned investment banker.”
Noah’s doppelgänger takes a step back as he appraises me. “So this is the famous Lottie Lemon.”
“Best baker in town,” Noah adds.
“Most beautiful baker on the planet,” Everett offers.
Alex laughs and sets his hand out. “Nice to finally meet you. You are as sweet as Noah said you’d be—and as beautiful as Everett suggests. Full disclosure”—he looks to his brother—“Lottie helped me plan the whole thing.”
Cormack jumps into our small circle with her blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail and her flawless face looking a bit too ironed out as if she just had her wrinkles paralyzed into submission and I’m betting she did.
“Lies, lies! All lies!” Cormack wraps herself around Alex like a viper around a tree trunk. “Alex, I can’t believe it’s been so long since I last saw your handsome face.” She pulls back with her cheeks piqued with color, and for a moment I’m hoping Cupid has struck again and she’ll finally set her sexual sights elsewhere. “Did you hear the news?” She shoves that rock on her left hand in Alex’s face. “I’m about to join the family!”
The ring on Cormack’s finger is a replica she had made of the one that she found in Noah’s closet—the very one that was meant for me. But since there is no stopping Cormack’s delusions, I choose not to debate her upcoming nuptials. That’s Noah’s problem, not mine. He swears he’s set her straight but that things keep going sideways and she doesn’t believe his protests.
Before Alex can congratulate the unlucky couple, a tall man with a familiar grin enters our midst and both Alex and Noah lose their minds. Everett is the first to greet him by way of a manly half-hug.
“Morgan!” the brothers chime in unison before slapping their way through a manly hug-fest of their own.
Noah looks my way. “Lottie, you remember Dr. Dawson from Everett’s brief stay in the hospital last month?”
How can I forget? A loon abducted Everett, and Noah and I took him to the ER ourselves.
“Of course,” I say, giving the good doctor a quick wave. “So glad you could make it.”
Dr. Morgan Dawson is a striking man. There’s a boyishness about him in general, but he has an affable aura that draws people to him. I can tell he’s one of those people who has an easy time in life just because he’s so well-received.
“Wouldn’t miss it.” He slaps Everett on the back. “How are you holding up, buddy?”
“Alive, just the way I like it.”
I give Everett’s hand a tug. “The way we all like it. Hey, did you grow up with Morgan, too?”
He nods. “We played b-ball back in the day.”