Page 24 of Macaron Massacre

My heart sinks right through the floor. “It’s true then. You can’t tell me, but I can see it in your face. Oh my God, Noah is going to blow a hole through Everett and send him straight to the other side.”

Nell holds up a finger. “Now, Lottie, it’s dangerous to surmise what the future might bring. Yes, it’s safe to say that someone’s fate is about to be altered in a significant way. But you do realize you can unravel all the good things that are meant to come your way if you try to nosy around in things that are not of your control.”

Carlotta opens her purse and wipes an entire slew of macarons off the counter and into its giant maw. “In other words, you’ll make things worse. It’s best to let sleeping bullets lie—until they go off, that is. I bet you’ve made good friends with the fine people at the mortuary by now. I’m sure they’ll give you a nice little deal.”

I gasp at the audacity.

“Nell, you have to tell me. Is it Noah or Everett?”

Nell cringes as if she knows it’s futile to keep the gory details from me. “It’s one of them. But, Lottie, what’s coming down the pike is inevitable. You could no more stop it than I can.”

“My God, Noah is going to get hurt on the job. Britney was right. His line of work is far too dangerous.”

Nell waves it off. “Noah will be fine.”

“Ahha! So itisEverett!”

Nell’s eyes widen with guilt, and I feel faint at the thought of anything happening to that blue-eyed stud who has the power to turn the female population on its lust-riddled ear.

There’s a light knock coming from the window out front.

“It sounds like we have a visitor. Maybe it’s someone who’s come to play dirty withyou, Carlotta. How would you like that?” I say as I head on over, and sure enough I see a familiar face—but that’s about the only thing I recognize about him. “It’s Everett, I think.”

“Mr. Sexy!” Carlotta whoops it up. “I bet he came for some early morning loving. Ten bucks says he propositions you right here in the kitchen. I’ll skedaddle so the two of you can make some adorable little grandbabies for me before he bites the big one.”

“I’m not making babies in the kitchen, Carlotta—and he is not biting the big one,” I say as I head toward the door. “Don’t you get any ideas about bringing a suitor around my shop either. This is a bakery, not a brothel,” I say, swinging the door open, and Everett frowns as if I just shot down his best idea yet. I take one look at him and am forced to catch my breath. “Do I know you?” I marvel as my eyes ride up and down over this unfairly handsome man.

He leans in and drops a steamy kiss to my lips. “Did that refresh your memory?”

“Just enough.” I take in his chosen accouterments and give a wistful shake of the head. “You do realize I’ve only seen you in either a suit or naked.”

His fingers rustle through my hair. “I can arrange the latter.”

“I’m serious. I hardly recognize you in sweatpants and a T-shirt. And by the way, I don’t know how you got that shirt to stretch over your muscles.” No lie. His arms are so huge they’re forcing the fabric to ride up toward his shoulders. “What’s happening? Did the cleaners blow up?”

“Funny.” Everett doesn’t smile. “I thought I’d kidnap you and steal you away for an early morning date.”

Both Nell and Carlotta coo in the background.

“Is there anyone who can watch the bakery for a few hours?”

Carlotta jumps forward. “I’m right here, Lot Lot. You just get in his car and let that sexy man take you wherever he wants anddowhatever he wants.”

I blink over at her. “Why do I get the feeling that’s exactly how I got my start in life?”

Nell chortles. “She’s got you there. Go on, Lottie. I’ll supervise here for a bit, and if I get the feeling you’re near a suspect, I’ll be sure to make my way over. Have a good time, sweetheart. The bakery will be safe in our hands until Lily shows up.”

I shrug over at Everett. “Kidnap away.”

We get into his car, and the excitement begins to build.

“Let me guess. This adventure starts with a hiking trail, involves lots of steamy kisses, and ends with a long hot shower for two?”

He ticks his head to the side as we head down the road. “I like where you’re going, but it just so happens this little adventure involves a bunch of unruly kids and my mother.”

Unruly kids? Everett’s mother?

It sounds like I might not only need a nice long shower afterwards, but a nice long nap, too.