Page 18 of Wedding Cake Carnage
Hook nods in the direction Steven just took off in. “Did that dude just try to rope you into binary options?” He pinches his eyes shut a moment. “Steer clear, guys. That’s not what I would call a solid investment.”
Hook is a solid investment for my sister. As much as I didn’t care for his younger brother, Hook is an outstanding guy—especially now that he’s no longer tangled up in a quasi-threesome with my sister and bestie. Hook used to run Wall Street before he moved back to run the real estate empire his father left him.
I lean in. “Have you ever heard of Underwood Investments? That’s the investment firm Jana March’s fiancé owns and runs.”
He ticks his head back a notch. “I have heard of Underwood Investments. It’s a pretty big deal. They employ half of New York City. Sounds like I’ll have to catch up with the guy and chew the financial fat.”
“Here. Take this.” I hand Hook the business card in my hand. “I’ll share with Noah.”
“Thanks.” Hook slips it into his back pocket. “And if there’s anything I can do to help bring Everett back, just let me know. I’ll do whatever I can.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
Noah and I take off for the boulders shrouded with evergreens where it’s just a touch quieter and the ground is elevated enough to give us a bird’s-eye view of the lake.
A spray of glittering stars seems to be moving near the waterline and I take a breath at the sight. That glorious tiger hops right out of the supernatural constellation and lands deftly at the base of the lake. The shadow of a little girl is seated on his back.
“Noah, I wish you could see this. Beasty just trotted to the lake and is trying to lap up the water. Little Lea is riding him like a pony, spanking his backside.” I give a little laugh just as a couple of luminescent beings steal my attention. “And if I’m not mistaken, that’s Greer and Winslow sitting at the water’s edge.”
“It sounds like every soul in Honey Hollow came out to see the fireworks.”
“Every soul but Everett.” My gaze locks on the ripples shimmering out from the center of the lake. “Noah, be honest with me. Do you think he’s—you know, still alive?”
A warm breeze pushes my hair away from my face, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say it felt as if it just offered up a tender kiss to my lips.
“I do.” Noah wraps his arms around me as he pulls me close. “And I’ll tell you why. Everett finally admitted to loving someone other than himself—and that someone was you.” He leans in and dots a kiss to my nose. “Sorry.” His brows bounce with something just this side of regret. “And if I know Everett like I think I do, he’s not going anywhere if he can help it. He’s going to fight to get back to the best thing in the world, and that’s you, Lottie.” He tightens his grip for a moment. “I know I’d fight like hell to get back to you, Lot.”
“You’re very sweet.” I bite down over my lip as I consider what Everett must be going through. “I’m thinking she has a gun.”
“And maybe a cage. Honestly, I don’t know what in the hell is going on.”
“She could be drugging him.”
The first flare shoots up into the navy sky and the entire lake glows pink as it explodes overhead in a spray of fiery glory.
“He’s coming home to you, Lottie. I’m making sure of this myself.”
“You?” I tease as I pull back to get a better look at him.
“Yes, me.” Noah’s dimples dig in deep and my stomach bisects with heat. I hate that they still have their power over me. “I’m doing it for you—and I’m doing it for him. I care about him. I always have and I always will. We were brothers for a season. And believe it or not, before things went south, there was a bond between us. Everett used to toss the ball around with Alex and me.”
“You hardly ever talk about your brother.”
He shrugs as the fireworks explode overhead once again, a purple umbrella that sprays over the sky and disappears with less than a whisper.
“He’s younger by a year. Ex-Marine turned investment banker. He’s in Florida with my mother. He said he might come out next month to visit with friends. And I hope he does. I’d love for you to meet him.”
“Oh? Is he single?” I tease.
Noah pushes his shoulder to mine as the fireworks spectacular picks up steam. We watch in awe as the sky lights up like a neon rainbow, as fanciful fireworks create a pattern of wonder and beauty and leave us breathless and mesmerized. It goes on for what feels like a blissful eternity, and when the grand finale hits, I’m already a bit mournful that’s its coming to an explosive conclusion.
The last burst detonates, followed by the quiet hush of smoke and the din of a faint applause.
Noah leans over and lands a kiss to my cheek. “Happy Fourth of July, Lottie. I’m glad I got to share it with you.”
“I’m glad I got to share it with you, too.”
“Maybe next year we’ll have Everett back and he’ll be the best man at our wedding.” He helps me to my feet.