Page 16 of Poison Apple Crisp

I give a slight nod. “And if you dare try to French kiss Evie’s principal, I’ll personally cause great bodily harm.”

His brows hike a notch. “To me or her?”

“Don’t push it.” A tiny smile crimps my lips. “You and Everett can babysit me all you want, but you’ll have to do it on my terms.”

Noah takes a deep breath. “Why do I feel as if I’ve just been bested by a baker?”

Carlotta steals a rose from my bouquet. “Don’t get her angry, Foxy. In her state, she’s liable to take you outside and have her way with you behind the bushes.”

A sly smile rides up Noah’s cheek, and I shake my head at him.

“Don’t tempt fate,” I say.

I don’t plan on tempting fate either. I simply plan on tracking down Brenda Phillips’ killer.

My stomach does a hard roll, and I run right outside and puke in the bushes.

Carlotta had it half-right.

I tangoed with two men and tempted fate, and now the universe is having its way withmebehind the bushes.

I sure hope things get easier.

Noah comes out with a glass of cold water and holds me, whispering into my ear that everything will be okay.

But deep down inside, I don’t think either of us believes it.

Chapter 5

Why?

Why in the name of all things good, and holy, and right, did I suggest we go to Mangias?

A hard sigh expels from me as I stare up at the cheery red and green neon sign. I know why. Because some of my best culinary memories have occurred right inside this place. It’s where Noah and I came when we dated. And we’ve brought Everett here so many times it’s technically his place, too.

“All right, Lemon. One more try, and if you can’t do it, we’ll pick up some Wicked Wok and head home. I don’t want to torment you.”

“No, it’s okay. I can do it.” I take another deep breath. I’ve already set foot inside this famed Italian eatery three times, and three times I ran right out the door with a green face. I had such bad nausea all afternoon, Keelie taught me how to tie a ribbon around my wrist to stave it off, and when I talked to Lainey about it, she suggested I grate some fresh ginger into my water. Suffice it to say, I chugged enough ginger water to fill a fish tank, and all the while doing it with pink ribbons dangling from my wrists.

“All right.” Everett pulls me close and smooths his thumbs over my cheeks. “Have I told you lately how beautiful you are? Your skin looks illuminated from the inside. And your eyes have a sparkle to them like no other.”

“Hey?” I give his tie a playful tug. “If the argumentative side of you was a ploy to land in my bed—is this tender side a way to get rid of me?”

A deep laugh rumbles in his chest. “No way. You’re the last person I’d want to be rid of.” He nods toward the restaurant. “Those people waiting for us in there? I’m already anxious to make a getaway.”

“Very funny.” I hike up on the balls of my feet and dot a kiss over his lips. “I’m in, Baxter. Let’s do this.” I gird myself. “This will most likely turn out to be a puke fest, but in all honesty, I’m so hungry I might just start eating food off people’s plates as we walk to our seats.”

“I’ve seen people arrested for far more colorful offenses. You do what’s best for our baby. I’ll provide the bail money.”

A smile glides over my face. “That’s why I love you so much. And thank you for the flowers. I might just pick a fight with you more often.”

“Not if I land us in a heated argument first.”

We step on into the dimly lit establishment, brimming with laughter and freely flowing red wine, when I decide I can’t hold my breath anymore and it feels as if I just inhaled an entire garlic clove or twelve.

A hard moan comes from me.

Mangias is comprised mostly of dark wood floors and dark-stained tables. The pizza is out of this world and the breadsticks are a close second.