Page 29 of Donut Disaster
Everett leans toward Noah. “Try not to use them for target practice. I’ve got plans for those lips later.”
Noah scowls as we head deeper into the club.
The music sounds like techno pop meets disco, and both Keelie and Cormack join the tangle of bodies as they gyrate with the best of them.
Bear frowns at the crowd. “I think I’ll sit this one out. Tell Keelie I’ll be at the bar.” He takes off.
Naomi pulls Alex to the dance floor by the tie, and Alex sheds some easy moves that make it clear this isn’t his first rodeo with those swivel hips of his. Naomi sure doesn’t seem to mind. She can’t take her eyes off him. Poor Lily. A part of me wonders if their friendship will survive Hurricane Alex. For their sake, I hope so.
Everett nods to Noah. “Your girl’s out there. Why don’t you go join in on the fun? Lemon and I will rate your moves.”
Noah’s brows pull into a straight line. Honestly, with these two, there is bound to be a murder one day. A double homicide.
“No thanks.” He glances to the back. “I’m betting that’s where we’ll find Anika.”
“Why’s that?” I ask, completely curious as to the logic of it.
Noah’s dimples press in. “Because the cool kids always sit in the back.”
“Figures. I sat in the front.”
Everett warms my ear with his lips. “I bet you had better grades to show for it.”
“Yes, but I’m pretty sure I’ve been a suspect in more murder investigations than the rest of my classmates, so I’m not sure if I’m coming out on top.”
Noah leads the way as we weave through a human wall of moving limbs. And sure enough, there’s an entire seating area in the back filled with semi-circular couches, each one brimming with the so-called cool kids.
A sparkle of light shimmers in the corner near the sofa on the end.
“I’ll be darned.” A laugh percolates through me. “Cookie is here.” I quickly point over to him as if they could see him.
“And check that out.” Everett leans in close. “The girl on the end sipping on a daiquiri looks just like the girl from the lake.”
Noah squints. “That’s our girl. You want to go in, Lottie?”
“There she is,” I say. Anika’s hair shimmers like copper as she moves her shoulders to the rhythm of the music. “I don’t know. She looks awful lonely. Like maybe she could use a male companion?” I look to the two of mine.
Noah shakes his head. “I grilled her the day after the murder. I’m not even pretending to hit on her. She’s all yours, Judge Baxter. Do what you do best and bring that woman to her knees—see if you can get a confession out of her in the process.” Noah pats him on the back as if he were suddenly his wingman.
Everett takes off, and Noah and I gear up to watch the spectacle from a safe distance.
She’s on her feet. No sooner does Everett get there than she’s smiling wide, looking around. Everett points back over to me, and she gives a friendly wave.
“There goes that,” Noah quips. “I guess he’s lost his touch.”
“That would be my fault. Besides, I think she recognized him.” Everett is rather unforgettable.
I head over and offer a chipper hello.
“You’re the girl from the lake.” She shakes her head as if she’s remiss she can’t remember my name.
Anika is cute and looks about sixteen, even though she’s in her early twenties. Her hair shines as it hugs her jawline, and there’s something very likeable about her in general. Her lips are glowing a pale pink, as are her eyelids and fingernails. Cassie has a harder edge, so I can see where Anika would be a breath of fresh air for Dr. Dawson.
Cookie vocalizes something that sounds like a cross between a bark and a yodel. “Get to the good stuff!” The wordstuffcomes out with a bark.
“Lottie,” I’m quick to remind her as I shake her hand, and her pink fuchsia lips expand with approval. “And this is my boyfriend, Everett.” Shoot. I hope he didn’t hit on her. But then if he did, it would most likely be par for the course for a girl like her. Anika is used to sharing men.
Why in the world would Dr. Dawson have two girlfriends?