Page 5 of Toxic Apple Turnovers
The lights blink on and off again, and this time another felt sign unfurls next to the first eyesore, and this one readsCongratulations, Lolli and Essex.
“Oh my God.” All I can muster are those three words as the room breaks out into a riot of cheers around us.
Everett glances my way, his eyes wide with surprise. I have seen Everett in just about every situation, and not once has he been caught off guard the way he is now.
“Don’t look at me that way. I had nothing to do with it.”
“I’m not looking at you that way,” he says and I follow his gaze behind me to find his mother, Eliza, and sister, Meghan, dashing over with their arms held wide.
“Congratulations!” Eliza shouts into my ear and blows out an eardrum. She’s essentially another version of Everett, beautiful and cultured and all those good things. Meghan is a bit grittier, but she still bears the signature Baxter black hair and blue eyes, and intoxicating combo if ever there was one.
“Come here, sis.” Meghan pulls me in and smothers me against her chest. “I just knew this day would come.”
I pull free and gasp for air. “I certainly didn’t expect it to come so soon.” I lift my brows toward Everett.
Mom bounces over with her boyfriend, the new pastor of Honey Hollow Covenant Church, Pastor Stephen Gaines.
“Lottie Lemon!” Mom scolds playfully with tears in her eyes. “A surprise engagement party? I can’t believe you managed to pull this off right under my nose!”
I glance to Cormack and frown. “Neither can I.”
Noah comes up with his brother, Alex. You would think they were twins if you didn’t know Alex was just a hair younger. Alex shares Noah’s dark hair and serious green eyes, but he’s beefier and looks as if he belongs in a heavyweight boxing ring. He’s been dating my assistant, Lily, and her best friend, or should I say herex-best friend, Naomi Turner. Naomi’s twin sister, Keelie, is actuallymybest friend.
“Lottie”—Noah shakes his head, a sign he’s filled with remorse—“I can’t apologize enough.”
Cormack is quick to swat him. “No apologies necessary. In fact, they’ve already thanked me by way of those dazzled looks on their faces. Of course, I myself put together the custom cocktails.” She brays like a donkey. “The Lottie Toddy and the Gavel Buster—I threw in an extra for Essex, the Mr. Sexy Sangria. And for Noah and me, I have the Foxy on the Roxy and theCormapolitan. Please feel free to enjoy! It’s an open bar courtesy of Daddy.”
I’d like to strangle both Cormack and her daddy right about now.
Mom accosts Everett’s poor mother just as Meghan excuses herself, something about needing to inhale all of my delicious desserts.
Amanda pops up again, and Pastor Gaines asks to speak with her in private.
I pull Cormack in by the elbow. “Are youinsane?”
“Ugh,” she grunts. “You hate the color scheme. I knew I should have gone with something more garish that was guaranteed to please you, but it’s my special day, too, you know. Don’t be selfish, Lonnie.”
Her mini-me, Landon, comes by. “Congratulations, all! It wasn’t that long ago we were all amassed right here for my fabulous divorce party. How I wish I had another upcoming matrimonial dissolution. Everett, you’ll have to hook me up with one of your rich lawyer friends. No one under the thirty-seven percent tax bracket, I’m pleading with you.” Her gaze hooks to someone in the corner, and I glance over to find a couple of men in suits—a tall bald man a little older than me perhaps, clean-shaven, an air of superiority about him, and next to him is a smooth looking dude with a dark inky suit and heavy lids.
“Whoa.” Landon wiggles her chest their way as if showing off her wares. “Come to mama!”
Amanda pops back up. “The one to the left is taken.” She giggles. “That’s Mark Russo, my fiancé.”
Both Cormack and her younger sister inch back as if they were blown away by this news.
Landon chokes as she struggles to speak. “TheMark Russo?”
Amanda laughs. “The one and only. That’s Chrissy Castaneda next to him. He works as a manager at one of Mark’s plants by day, and he’s a wedding singer by night. A darn good one, too. You should both consider booking him for your weddings.”
“Chrissy?” I say under my breath as I inspect the man with dark curly hair and a prominent chin.
Everett leans in. “Odd name for a grown man.”
Amanda waves it off. “Some nicknames never die. I’ve known Chrissy forever.” She makes a face as yet a third man joins them, a redheaded man who looks ready to kill in a sharp gray suit. “Chrissy is my brother’s best friend.” The smile glides off her face. “Excuse me.” She takes off in the opposite direction.
“I’m betting that’s her brother,” I say, looking back at the redhead, this time seeing a family resemblance.
Noah takes a breath. “And I’m betting they don’t get along.”