Page 40 of Toxic Apple Turnovers
Everett’s brows peak as he cranes his neck, trying to get a better look at the stage.
“I’ll be right back, Lemon.”
He takes off and Cormack gloms onto his arm, begging him for just one spin on the dance floor.
“And then there were two,” I flatline as I look to Noah.
He motions toward a couple of seats at the bar and we take them. “How was your day?”
“It’s ending in Hades, so if that’s any indication...” I can’t help the downer routine. I’ll admit, there’s a part of me that’s very much envious of Cormack Featherby. Why is she always with Noah? I get that he’s trying to break off their non-relationship gently—in fact, I was the one who encouraged him to do so, but in the end—as greedy as it sounds, I’m afraid of losing Noah again. Of course, he’s no longer mine to lose. After I lost him abruptly last winter, it sort of traumatized my heart. I guess you can say that Cormack has been a trigger in that sense.
I press my shoulder playfully to his. “How was counseling? Are you and the missus on the road to happily ever after?”
His dimples flirt shamelessly with me. Come to think of it, so is he. “Tonight was the first real session. I pulled the counselor aside before we began and let her know that I was trying to break it off with Cormack. I explained the situation to her, and she said this sounded like a classic obsessive compulsive relationship disorder.”
“Who has the disorder? You or her?” I couldn’t help it. He walked into that one.
“Very funny.” He presses his shoulder gently to mine. “I also told her about you.”
My cheeks flush with heat. “Me?” This takes me aback. “I’m surprised you remembered who I was.” I’m teasing again but also still stunned.
“Lottie,” my name presses from him, low and guttural, just the way it used to in our most intimate moments. “You are unforgettable. I’ve tattooed you over my heart, my mind—and when I close my eyes at night, your beautiful face is right there staring back at me. I breathe you, Lottie. I remember who we are, and I’m hoping that I’m right about who we’ll be.”
My heart detonates one raucous explosion at a time as I look deeply into his lime-green eyes.
“What can I get for you?” a chipper male voice calls from across the counter, and I clear my throat as I look to none other than Slater Wellington himself. His hair was red to begin with, so in this garish light it makes it look as if it’s aflame. His smile is warm, and if I squint, I can see Amanda hiding there in his features.
I open my mouth as if to say something, then scoot back in my seat a notch. “It’s you,” I say enthusiastically. Works every time—I hope. “I recognize you from my engagement party.”
He blinks over at Noah and me. “That’s right. But weren’t the two of you engaged to different people?” He holds out a hand. “Never mind. You’re in a safe place. I’m not saying a word. What can I get for you lovebirds tonight?”
“Oh”—I look to Noah, unsure of how we got to this awkward place—“just a tonic water for me.”
“Beer.” Noah waits until Slater disappears to work on our orders to say anything. “I think I like where he’s going with this. Your hotel room or mine?”
A familiar cologne engulfs us. “I heard that.”
We turn to find not just Everett, but his sister, Meghan, as well.
Her dark hair is slightly mussed, and she’s red-faced as if she ran a mile around the dance floor. “Well, if it isn’t Lucky Lottie and myfavoritebrother.” She winks at Noah. “Don’t tell the others.” She pulls us into an impromptu rather sweaty embrace. “Group hug!” The scent of vodka plumes from her as she says it.
Everett frowns as he helps her into the seat next to me. “Meghan is here with friends. Male friends.” He scowls back at the dance floor.
“Did you hear me singing?” she practically roars the words out at Noah and me.
“That was you?” This floors me. “You were fantastic!”
“Essex’s got a set of pipes, too,” she laments. “Rumor has it, he only uses them in the bedroom.”
He does, but it’s strictly in the capacity of barking out orders. Everett likes to be in charge of the carnal production, and I’ve never minded one bit.
She dips her chin my way. “But you know all about that, don’t you? My brother has always been a hot commodity. I’ve often wondered if he’d ever settle down. I didn’t think it would happen, but I’m glad it’s with someone like you, Lucky. Hey? You don’t mind if I call you Lucky, do you?”
“I don’t see why not.”Join the club, I want to say. Not many women seem to care for my proper moniker anyway.
Noah flinches as if he thought it was funny. “Or you can call her Lemon. Your least favorite brother can’t seem to get her name right either.”
“Oh?” her voice squeals as if Noah just let a juicy morsel fly. “Do I sense a little dissension among family?”