Page 10 of Poison Apple Crisp
“Lottie.” He squeezes his eyes shut a moment. “I need you safe. I need to know that you’re not going to put yourself or the baby in the line of danger.”
Everett plucks Noah off me with a slice of the arm. “I agree, Lemon. We need to leave this one to the pros.”
Carlotta pops her head between us. “Where’s the fun in that? Lottieisa pro.”
“Thank you,” I say with a marked irritation. “Look, I’m not endangering the baby. But I did see some suspicious things tonight, not to mention supernatural things.”
Noah fiddles with his phone, already calling it in.
“We’ll talk,” he says as he heads off to manage the scene.
Everett takes a breath, his eyes lock over mine, and I can sense the exasperation emanating from him.
“Lemon.”
“Everett.” I scoff. “You know I’m extra careful when I’m involved in these situations.”
“Just a few months ago, you were dangling off the ledge of a balcony. I don’t want to think what would have happened if I hadn’t pulled you to safety.”
My mouth rounds out, because honestly, I don’t want to think about what could have happened either.
Carlotta smacks me on the arm. “He’s right, Lot. You focus on mothering that sugar booger you got brewing, and I’ll mother Evie.”
“No,” both Everett and I say in unison.
Carlotta sputters and gags. “Et tu, Mr. Sexy?”
“Yes.” Everett gives a wild nod. “Especially me. I make a living out of sound judgment and reason.”
I gasp. “I don’t like what you’re implying.”
“Lemon.” Everett moans as he closes his eyes, just the way he’s prone to do when we’re in the throes of a much more heated situation back in my bedroom, or his. For a married couple, we still haven’t bothered to cohabitate.
“Don’t you worry,” Carlotta is quick to offer up her false assurance. “I know how tough Honey Hollow High can be. I was almost a graduate here myself. These bully-laden grounds are just crawling with mean girls looking to make our little Evie’s existence a living heck. But I’ve got the upper hand on the situation. I know just how to handle them. I’ve got a plan that will put Evie large and in charge of every teen queen in Vermont.”
I blink over at her. “A part of me wants to ask about this plan, and yet another part of me knows better. Which part should I listen to, Everett? You’re the one that makes a living out of sound judgment and reason.”
His mouth opens and closes. “That’s not what I meant, Lemon.”
“Oh, it’s what you meant.” My voice shakes without my permission, and truthfully, I can’t remember a single time where my anger had gotten the better of me. It’s as if this hormonal surge in my body was just begging to go here, and I can’t seem to stop it.
“Finally!” Carlotta slaps her hands together. “A good old-fashioned date night fight. I can only imagine the make-up lovin’ the man with a gavel can dole out.” She elbows me in the side. “Go on, Lot. Get him good and worked up. You won’t regret it. In fact, once you take a walk on the stormy side, you’ll never share a kind word with this man again. Which reminds me, I need to pick a fight with Harry before the clock strikes twelve and he turns into a polite pushover.” She leans my way. “If you hear screams coming from my bedroom, that’s just me reaping the benefits of my argumentative efforts. My motto has always beena little raucous rumpus leads to a riotous romp.” She nods to Everett. “Keep up the good work. A little more anger and resentment, and you’ll have her eating out of the palm of your hand—or whatever other body part you want to slap some whipped cream on.” She sucks in a quick breath while looking past him. “I see that celestial canine sniffing around the apple crisps. I’ll go see if I can catch her.” She starts to take off, then backtracks. “Good job, Lot, working your dessert into another homicide. Word on the underground street is, the mob is looking to recruit you as a hitman. If you want, I can help you figure out a fee. With my connections to the underworld, I think you should consider a fifty-fifty split.”
“I’m not considering it.” I belt it out a little too harsh as she takes off. “And hands off of Evie,” I shout.
The room is suddenly flooded with emergency medical workers, not to mention an entire army of sheriff’s deputies.
A wave of nausea takes over, and I let out a dull moan while clutching my stomach.
“Is it the baby?” Everett’s voice is tight with panic.
“I’m fine. I’m just queasy. Nothing some ice water won’t cure.”
“I’m on it.” He hooks his daring blue eyes to mine. “I’m not opposed to getting argumentative if it means protecting our baby.” He gives the hint of a wink, and I’m onto the fact he’s not all that sorry our indelicate disagreements might just have a very real sexual side effect—of the beneficial variety, of course.
I twitch my lips. “I’ll fight you tooth and nail to protect my investigative freedoms. You have to trust that I won’t put myself in danger.” Not on purpose anyway.
His lids hood a notch as his eyes glaze over. “Why don’t we meet up at my place tonight?”