Page 49 of Poison Apple Crisp
“Nothing is ever going to get back to normal, Lottie,” she’s quick to inform me, and we both sigh at the thought. “Hey?” She perks up. “I heard about that Hannah chick and her booty-ful buns workout. Hannah Beckham of the Beckham Butt Lift fame? Naomi and I are going out later today and buying brand new workout gear so we can partake properly. Expect to see us on the front lawn with the sun. We’re so excited, I think this is actually repairing our relationship.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Lily and Naomi have been feuding ever since they both thought it was a good idea to date the same man. The man in question was Noah’s brother, Alex, and he’s since moved on to greener younger pastures.
I make a face. “Is it wrong that I’m praying for rain?”
Lily laughs. “What’s the matter, Lottie? Afraid Noah and Everett are suddenly going to develop a wandering eye? Don’t worry. You could morph into Godzilla and they’d still be fighting over you. Plus, you’ve hooked them with that baby. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that with Alex while I had the chance. We could have been sisters-in-law.”
“I’m married to Everett.”
“Sure you are.” She rolls her eyes. “Don’t fret, Lot. You don’t have to keep your special arrangement a secret from me. I overheard Everett and Noah the other day talking about building a house together to make things easier.”
“I think they were talking about the house that Hannah hijacked with her promises of a butt lift. It’s pretty much off the table now. Come to think of it, I should have fought harder when I had the chance.”
Lily chuckles. “I’ve never seen you so insecure. It’s probably a side effect of having your own hot little bun in the oven. Try not to get too worked up.”
“Easy for you to say. You don’t have fifty women ready and willing to moon your other half.”
“Or in your case, otherhalves.”
The next few hours drift by with my thoughts all in a jumble. I’m not really insecure, am I? Lily is right. I’m never that way. Or at least I wasn’t before I found myself in a bun-cooking predicament. And who cares if I start to look like a deep-fried pickle, a jelly roll, a cream puff, or all of the above?
Okay, fine. I guess deep down, I care. But that doesn’t stop me from indulging in a couple of fresh fried crullers. And boy, are they ever delicious.
Carlotta and Evie pop in. Carlotta has her hair up in a ponytail, a look I’m not used to on her, and she seems to be wearing workout clothes of some sort, an old pair of my pink sweats and a baggy shirt that saysMargaritas because it’s Mexico somewhere. And Evie has on her black yoga pants and matching formfitting jacket. Her long dark hair is pulled into a messy bun, and her cheeks look piqued.
“Evie!” I hop over and give her a firm embrace. “How was practice?”
“Great. Tryouts are next Friday.”
“Oh, I’m so excited for you. I’ve seen you run through your routines out on the driveway and you’re amazing. I just know you’re going to make the team.”
Carlotta gives Evie a knowing look. “Oh, she’ll make the team, all right.”
A smug grin takes over Evie’s face. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ve got this one in the b-a-g.”
“Why do I not like the way this sounds?”
My phone buzzes in my pocket before I can needle them both with a proper inquisition, and I fish it out. “It’s a text from Lainey! Aw,” I coo at the screen. “She wants to know if I’d send over a box of cookies and donuts. She misses real food.”
“I’ll do it, Lot,” Carlotta offers.
“I’m going, too,” Evie insists. “I need to see that baby again.”
“You can’t keep me away either.” Just before I can ask Lily to man the fort, Cokie Hickman saunters into the place with her auburn hair looking windblown.
“Whew!” She gives a little laugh as she forks her fingers through her tangled tresses. “It’s really fall out there.” She nods to the pumpkin and the silk autumn leaves I’ve got strung up over the bakery shelves. “And it’s autumn in here, too. How are you feeling, Lottie?”
“So much better,” I say. “I’m really sorry you had to see that.”
“Not to worry, I know all about morning sickness.” She leans in. “And that wholemorningbusiness is the first lie they feed you.”
“Ain’t that the truth.” We share a quick laugh over that one. “What can I do for you?”
“Well, I just ran by the B&B and let your mother know we’ll be hosting the final fundraiser at the campus instead. We did a little survey of the parents and they’re beginning to experience a bit of burnout, so we’re going to have a simple silent auction on back-to-school night. That way the kids can be there, too. I imagine they’ll influence their parents on what to bid on as well.”
“Cool.” Evie hops with enthusiasm. “I’d much rather shop than sit with my parents while my teachers drone on.”