Page 49 of Donut Disaster
“You.” Everett doesn’t make any bones about it. “Learn anything new?”
Ivy takes a breath as she gives the crowd a judgmental once-over. “On the surface, Dr. Dawson was an exemplary citizen, but like most people he had a dark side.”
It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes. I figured that out before the investigation ever started. Once I was introduced to his two girlfriends, I figured there was a screw loose in there somewhere.
Ivy leans my way. “So how’s life with two boyfriends?”
My cheeks grow hot. Okay, so I might have something in common with Dr. Dawson, but I don’t like it.
Cookie barks up at her, and my lips curve with approval.
“I’m narrowing the field,” I say before turning to Noah. “How about you pencil me in for Monday night?”
Noah tucks his head back with a touch of surprise. “I’ll do you one better. I’ll ink you in every night.”
Ivy lifts those heavily penciled in brows as she looks to Everett. “Well, isn’t that romantic. I suppose this is your cue to one-up him in the romance department. Let’s see what you’ve got, Judge Baxter.”
His lips twitch, and his lids hood over as he looks my way. “Lemon knows intimately what I’m capable of. The question is, what can Detective Fox offer?”
Ivy chortles with delight as if his response was designed to titillate. “And what happens if yourLemongoes sour and chooses your opposition?”
Everett lifts his chin. “I bow out graciously.”
A moment of silence bounces by.
Noah hasn’t bowed out graciously for Everett. But then to Everett’s point, Noah and I never had closure.
“Monday night.” Noah’s dimples dig in at the thought.
Monday night.
A part of me wonders if that’s where I’ll find closure.
Chapter 15
On Monday, the Cutie Pie Bakery and Cakery had an explosive amount of sales. The weather was hot, the tourists were plentiful, and the donuts might as well have been Frisbees the way they were flying off the shelves.
Keelie was kind enough to step in and help Lily and me out at the registers. Meg and Lainey are here sharing a cup of coffee and had a chance to witness the tail end of the melee.
Lily leans against the counter once the onslaught dissipates. “Why don’t you get out of here? Your big date with Noah is tonight.”
“Speaking of Noah”—I say as I posture myself so my sisters and Keelie can hear—“his actual birthday is on Saturday. We’re having a do-over at Honey Lake.”
Lily coos, “It’s the last weekend of the festival, last night of the fireworks, last weekend of August. Summer has gone by far too fast.”
Keelie, Meg, and Lainey all zip to the counter at the first sign of juicy gossip.
Keelie’s mouth falls open. “Is this it? His big chance to prove himself to you?”
I wave her off. “Noah doesn’t have to prove a thing. I know he cares for me.”
Meg scoffs. “Grandpa cared about you, too, but that’s not what this is about.”
Lainey nods. “This is about you and what you want. I can’t imagine being in your shoes, Lottie. Most women have two men they’d like to get rid of, not two they want to keep. Forest is the only keeper I’ve ever met—speaking for my own love life, of course. I knew he was special, but those kisses we shared.” Her eyes flit to the ceiling as if she were reliving each and every one.
Meg moans. “Yup. That’s what did it for me. As soon as Hook landed a wet one on me, I knew my single days were numbered.”
“Hear, hear,” Keelie agrees. “As soon as Hook landed a wet one on me, I knew there would be trouble. But then, when Bear kissed me, I knew there would be something incredible to follow.” A throaty laugh bounces from her. “And, believe you me, there was something naughty to follow.”