Page 42 of Wedding Cake Carnage

“Nope.” I shake my head as I pull out another batch of pink champagne cupcakes. It’s the morning after and I’m a little exhausted, seeing that Noah, Everett, and I stayed up well past my bedtime. I just finished relaying everything to Keelie as Lily walks into the kitchen.

“Lottie, your mother is here to see you.”

We head out front, and I find Carlotta and an irate looking Greer Giles by her side.

“Lottie Lemon!” Greer bleats. “Who in tarnation gave you permission to put that little brat in charge of the B&B?”

I wince because it would seem my haunted sins have come home to roost.

“I can explain everything.”

Carlotta inches me forward by way of her finger. “Can you explain why Harry Nash has invited me out on a dinner date?”

I gasp because I’m not sure which is worse: a child poltergeist haunting the B&B or my bio parents planning another hookup. Things didn’t exactly go so well the first time.

Keelie waves as she heads next door. “I’m in on this next adventure, Lottie! Do not leave without me or I’ll short your staff for the next solid week.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” I pull Carlotta to the side, and Greer is quick to float along with us.

Greer growls as efficiently as Beasty. “It’s bad enough there’s a tiger with a terrible temper roaming those halls, but that kid you stuck us with? She’s certifiably insane. She’s writing ‘leave or else” on all the mirrors in bright red lipstick. She’s casting terrifying shadows and moaning far too loud in the night. People are downright frightened, Lottie! It’s not cute, and it’s not what the customers came for. Trust me, I know what they like. And once they start wetting the beds, you know things have gone too far. Your mother is going to have one stinky mattress mess in the very near future unless you oust that little twit.”

“I can’t get rid of her. She helped me free Everett. That was part of the deal. I told her if she got Everett back safely, I’d give her run of the B&B in exchange.” My fingers fly to my lips with the impromptu confession.

Greer sucks in an unnecessary breath. “Lottie! Winslow and I thought you were our friend! Now where are we supposed to go?”

“Nowhere. Aren’t the three of you gunning to be one big haunted family? You’re the ones that wanted to adopt. Remember? You handpicked Lea, if I’m not mistaken. You finally have everything you wished for. You’re welcome.”

“AARGHH!” Greer roars so loud, the teacups rattle on their saucers as she disappears.

“That went well.”

Carlotta makes a face. “So, what do you think? Should I go out with him?” Carlotta doesn’t miss a beat, continuing our conversation from earlier.

“Mayor Nash?” I cringe at the thought. “You do realize he’s my mother’s boyfriend, right?”

“That’s never stopped me before.”

“Touché. But how about this? You ask my mother first.”

“Miranda?”

“Yes, ask Miranda. And if she gives you her blessing, go for it. But, if she deflects in any way, back off. The last thing anyone needs is weirdness between the two of you. And, in my opinion, Mayor Harry Nash isn’t worth getting weird about.”

“Huh.” She ticks her head to the side, and it’s like looking in a mirror. Eerie. “Fine. I guess I’m off to talk to your mother.”

“Sounds good. Hey, Carlotta?” I stop her as she heads for the door. “What made you change your mind about Harry? I mean, one minute you hate him and the next you want permission to go on a date. You can’t have it both ways.”

“Oh honey, I’ve had it both ways with that man for years.”

I watch, sullen, as she takes off. I don’t want that for my life. I don’t want to be uncertain about love for so long. I want answers. I glance down at the ring on my finger. I want the wedding, the kids, the minivan. More than all of it, I just want certainty of what to do next.

Keelie bops back in and waves a key in my face. “I got a present for you.”

“What’s that? Don’t tell me it’s the key to my heart.”

“Better. It’s the key to the apartment Jana March shared with Felicity. I talked Felicity into letting us look around. She says we can head over now if we want.”

“We want.” I hop to my feet and ask Lily to man the bakery as I hustle Keelie right out the back with me.