Page 34 of Toxic Apple Turnovers

“Noah?” I step off the beaten path and stagger into the dining room to find him seated with Cormack enjoying what looks to be delicious Egyptian cuisine.

“Lottie.” His lids fly up like roller shades. “I can explain.”

Cormack swats him with her linen napkin, and personally I’m cheering her on in that department.

“We just came from our very first couple’s counseling session.” She giggles like a schoolgirl. Cormack looks exquisite tonight in a bright red dress, her hair glossy in perfect gold ringlets running down her back. “And guess what? He’s signed us up for a couple’s belly dancing lesson! Isn’t that perfectly romantic?”

Meg laughs under her breath. “Perfectly.”

“So that’s what this is about,” I mutter. “I can’t be a part of your schemes because you already have a partner—yourfiancé.” I turn Meg back around and we join Keelie and the waitress kind enough to navigate us to the bowels of this establishment. “Onward and forward.” I’m getting to Janelle first.

The studio in the back is spacious and airy. The floors are comprised of dark stained wood, and there’s an oversized mirror that takes up the entire wall in front of us.

A smattering of women and couples are already here, and I spot Janelle herself right up front. I don’t waste any time as I speed over.

“Janelle Hastings?” I say in that exaggerated tone people utilize for the classmates of yesteryear. “Is that you?”

Of course, it’s her. That blonde hair of hers is swept up into a bun, and she looks just as perky and delightful as she was the night I met her. Her nose is turned up a hair, and her lips are naturally pouty. She has an air of likability about her and an—owl over her shoulder.

“Boo!” Owlbert chortles and hoots as he floats above her. “She’s the one, isn’t she, Lottie? That’s why you’re here. That’s whyI’mhere!”

I twist my lips at him before reverting my attention to her. “Amanda introduced us that horrible night. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Oh my goodness, yes!” Her whole affect brightens. “What in the world are you doing here?”

Meg pops up next to me. “It’s her bachelorette party. We’re hoping you can teach her all the tips and tricks to keep her man happy at home.”

A guttural laugh emits from her. “You betcha. Hey? When’s the wedding?”

“July,” I say without thinking and cringe on cue once I realize the proximity of my bachelorette party to the main event.

“Wow, you’re really starting early, but I commend you.” She winces. “Amanda wasn’t your wedding planner, was she?”

“She sure was.”

“Well, don’t worry. I hear Hazel has absorbed all of her clients.” She rolls her eyes. “Hazel has spent her whole life living in Amanda’s shadow. I guess you could say she’s really stepping into her own these days—her own sister’s life.”

I sort of came to that conclusion myself.

“Come on. It’s time to get started!” She claps the class to attention, and we’re all positioned to stand in rows.

Noah and Cormack sneak in the back just as the music gets going. It’s twangy and sultry, and every now and then it sounds as if someone is clanging pots and pans.

Noah scoots in close to me.

“Lottie.” His dimples dig in deep, and he has that look on his face as if imploring me to understand.

“Don’t youLottieme.”

“Lottie?” Janelle waves from the front. “Since you’re the bride-to-be, let’s have you come up and demonstrate.”

Noah’s brows arch. “Bride-to-be?”

“That’s right, Detective Fox. Two can play at that game. And who knows? I may not be playing.”

I make my way up front, and Janelle teaches me how to sway and swivel my hips with the best of them.

“All right!” Janelle cries out over the music as Owlbert floats in our midst, observing the masses while purring like a feline. He’s a boy that way. He’s probably enjoying this immensely. They often do.