Page 32 of The Backup Groom

I gave her a thumbs down. “No deal.”

“Are you serious?” Maggoty Mercedes moved even closer and ground her teeth. “You’re out of your mind.”

I drolly rolled my eyes. “Must be the hormones from my pregnancy.”

There was a loud bang behind me that made me jump in my seat.

I flipped around and froze.

Dean was standing close by, mouth open, his broom on the floor. “Whoops. Sorry about that.” He scooped up the broom and scurried back to the front counter.

There was no doubt he heard at least part of the conversation.

Which meant Scotty would know soon enough.

Which meant I was going to die of embarrassment any minute.

ChapterSeven

Scotty

Dean rushed back from his latest unapproved-by-management spying escapade and practically cut off the circulation in my left bicep when he squeezed it. “Amber is looking for a baby daddy.”

“Did you hit yourself in the head with that broom?” I asked.

“I’m serious.”

“Hang on a second.” I snapped a top on the cup and set the drink on the counter. “I’ve got a Klingon Cappuccino for Uhura!”

She came over for her drink, smiling. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure. Thanks for coming in.” I turned to Dean, ready to discuss his latest round of nonsense. “Okay, genius, let me see if I understand everything that’s going on, because there’s a lot. First and foremost, Amber is looking for a husband.”

“Correct.”

“After she marries him, she’s going to murder the guy.”

“You got it.”

“Then she’ll collect five million dollars from the life insurance policy.”

“You betcha.”

“And now you’re telling me she’s looking for a baby daddy on top of that?”

“Yes!” Dean said.

“Where did the baby come from?” I asked.

I couldn’t believe I was still playing along with him.

There was no way Amber was pregnant.

Dean leaned closer, a compassionate look on his face. “Oh, boy. Nobody ever told you how babies are made? This is awkward, considering your age.”

“Moving on . . .” I sighed. “Why does she need a baby daddy then? Why not a babysitter?”

“Too immature. A baby sitter will be tethered to her phone. She won’t be able to keep her trap shut. Amber needs someone emotionally and physically invested, if you know what I mean. Enter the baby daddy, who she’ll also get rid of at some point. Man, the bodies are going to pile up at her place.”