Page 34 of Donut Disaster
Dark clouds congregate over Fallbrook as if serving an ominous warning to summer. It’s putting the season on notice—letting it know its days are numbered. Fall is nipping at its heels, and, within weeks, our world will explode in all its fiery glory.
Noah, Everett, Cormack, and I drove out together.
Yes. Cormack Featherby is still very much a part of our social circle, but this time it’s entirely my fault. Noah and I ran into her on our way back from the bakery and Lily had already told her about the gala tonight. I could tell Noah was ready to blow a hole in her world right then and there, but I couldn’t bear to see her heart splattered all over Main Street so I extended the invitation myself. Technically, that would make her my guest for the evening.
I told Noah later that he should break it to her gently, and he thanked me for it.
The Hillshire Hotel is a glittering throwback from an era gone by. It was built in the 1920s by a count with far too much money and not enough ladies on his arm. History has it that he had an entire harem of willing partners once he built this testament to himself.
We come upon the entry to the ballroom and find Alex and Lily looking every bit like a super couple. Keelie and Bear look adorable as if they were headed off to prom. Lily stuns in a red skintight number, and Keelie is rocking a little black dress with a flirty pink bow just above her rear. I happened to have donned a recycled royal blue gown that conforms to my figure like wet paper. Both Bear and Alex look slick in their best duds. But Noah and Everett look as if they could stop time in their dark suits. It’s not fair that they both have the power to make my heart go pitter-patter.
And as tough as it was to swallow that Noah’s divorce was finally official this afternoon—as the day went on, it started to feel like a relief.
Maybe now Noah and Everett will relax a bit. MaybeI’llrelax a bit as I take my time getting to know the two of them better. It feels as if we were on some demonic racetrack and our cars finally rolled away from the melee for a breather. At least that’s what I’m determined to believe.
We pay for our tickets and head inside to find the innocent ballroom transformed to look just like a Vegas casino complete with every wheeler and dealer, glittering lights, and a bartender at every turn.
“Oh, wow.” I take a few steps in. “I should have invited my sister, M—” Before I can finish, I spot a familiar looking brunette sweeping cards over a blackjack table working as the dealer. “Meg?” I traipse over as fast as my heels will allow. “What are you doing here?”
Meg gives a quick glance around before leaning my way. “One of the guys on the board frequents Red Satin. He had a sign-up for volunteers to work the venue and who knows Vegas better than me?”
“True.” Not only did she work there as a female wrestler, but she lived there and enjoyed the fast life for a number of years. “Are you telling me all of the people working the tables are from Red Satin?”
She shrugs. “Mostly the casino workers.” Red Satin Gentlemen's Club is located in Leeds, and they happen to have an underground Casino—literally underground. Among other criminal offerings.
I glance back to find Alex and Lily trying their luck at the roulette table. Keelie is seated at a one-armed bandit, and both Bear and Hook Redwood are making themselves at home at a poker table nearby.
Noah takes a seat in front of my sister. “Hit me.”
Meg’s lips flicker. “You want it in the eye or below the belt?”
Everett’s chest bounces with a silent laugh. “She doesn’t miss a beat, does she?”
Everett is looking fierce tonight. He might have said all the right things this afternoon, but it’s clear he’s still bringing his A game. Noah is, too. Suddenly, it feels far too dangerous to be me.
Everett does a double take behind me. “It looks like we have a friend working at the next blackjack table.”
I turn and gasp when I spot Cassie Montgomery doling out cards to a couple of lonely looking men in ill-fitting suits.
“I thought she said she was a banker?”
Meg honks out a laugh. “That’s what all the casino workers call themselves. It’s true in a sense. They take people’s money and hold it for them at zero interest.”
“Meg? Does Cassie work at Red Satin?”
She glances back and nods. “Casino girl. She’s been with us forever. Her dad is Jake Montgomery. You’d think she could do whatever she wanted with her life, but that girl has a dark side. I think she likes the danger of it all. You know—doing something illegal, the thrill that she might get caught. The casino likes her because she’s eye candy. The boss probably told her she needed to work this gig. We’ll be scoring pretty big tips tonight. I’m betting she’s getting a bonus, too.”
“Interesting.” I cock my head to the side. “I wonder if this is the dark secret Anika was alluding to?”
Everett and I head over in her direction just as a sparkling ball of light swirls near the table. Cookie bounds with a tiny red bowtie around his neck, and all I want to do is drop to my knees and hug him hard for looking so adorable.
“My, aren’t you dapper?” My heart fills at the sight of him.
“Thank you.” Everett graciously receives the compliment and I giggle.
“You too, but I was talking to Cookie. He’s got a red bowtie on for the occasion. He’s perfectly handsome.” I hike up on my heels and peck a quick kiss to Everett’s cheek. “You look simply dangerous. You know I never did get the chance to thank you for being so gracious.”
Everett presses his warm gaze over me, and my cheeks heat as he looks at me.