Page 19 of Wedding Cake Carnage
“Funny. But we’re not getting near a wedding of our own as long as Cormack is wearing my ring.”
A warm chuckle bounces through him. “She gave the ring back to me for safekeeping a few days after she took it. She had her jeweler make up a replica.”
I suck in a quick breath. “And you let me keep thinking she snaked my ring!” I give his arm a playful pat.
He lifts a shoulder. “Maybe I wanted to see if you cared.”
“Noah”—I reach up and give his scruff a scratch—“you know I care. You know I love you. And you also know we wouldn’t be in this predicament if—”
He runs his finger softly over my lips. “I know. And it agonizes me to hear it.”
I glance down at the water and a peculiar sight catches my eye. “Hey? Look at that,” I say, pointing over to where my new brother has an arm around a familiar blonde bombshell—the official Mrs. Fox herself. “Maybe you’ll be getting that divorce just in time for your birthday next month.” My stomach squeezes tightly because honestly, that feels all too soon.
“Maybe I will.” He pats my back. “I’m surprised you remembered my birthday.”
“I remember everything about you, Noah Corbin Fox.” I hike up onto my tiptoes and offer his cheek a kiss. “And as long as I have breath in my lungs and I highly suspect afterwards, I will never forget you. And speaking of not forgetting, how about we grab some Chinese in honor of Everett before we head home?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Noah and I call it in and run into the Wicked Wok to pick it up. The cashier runs Noah’s credit card—Noah is far too stubborn to ever let me pay.
“Hey guys,” he says, pulling up the receipt. “One order of Kung Pao chicken, one order of beef with broccoli, and two orders of cream cheese wontons.”
I exchange a mournful glance to Noah. That was Everett’s favorite and he always insisted we get two orders of those cream cheese wontons.
“Here you go.” The cashier slides the bag our way. “Funny thing is, we’ve gotten this exact same order every single night for the last two weeks. I thought I was finally going to meet the mystery woman.” He chuckles. “But it turns out, we already delivered that one—all the way out in Hollyhock.”
“I guess it’s a popular order,” I muse.
We say goodnight to the young man and head back to my place.
And all night I wonder why it feels as if I’ve heard that same story about Hollyhock before.
Chapter 7
The Cutie Pie Bakery and Cakery is nearly cleaned out after a vigorous morning rush. It’s almost eleven as another crop of customers head on in, this time with far more familiar faces.
Carlotta trots my way, and I spot Naomi Turner scuttling in after her wearing a tight pink dress and matching heels. There’s a hot pink gift bag wagging in her hand as she makes her way to Lily.
“What’s up, Lot?” Carlotta points to the coffee machine, and I get right to pouring her a cup. “Any news on that beefy boyfriend of yours?”
“Nope. The nutcase who has him has come by the bakery, though, so Noah is out back having a security system installed that will cover this place from every angle.”
“Wow. Do you think they’re coming after you next?”
“I doubt it. Whoever she is seems quite content to keep things status quo.”
Keelie bops over along with Lily and Naomi.
Keelie lands an arm around my shoulders. “Still no word, huh?”
“Nope. Contrary to unpopular opinion, Everett is being held against his will.” I take a moment to glare at Naomi.
Lily huffs, “I bet he ticked off someone in his courtroom. Rumor has it, he was just as hard on people in the courtroom as he was in the bedroom.”
I don’t bother teasing apart that double entendre.
Naomi swoons as if she were trying to envision it. “Hopefully, he’ll be back before Lainey’s wedding. I was looking forward to cutting in on a slow dance with him.”