I’ve never been a fan of reading my sister’s perverted mind, but on an occasion like this, I consider it a necessary evil. Who knows? Macy might just pick up on something I don’t and it could crack the case wide open. It’s doubtful, though.
As soon as Macy got wind of the sexy security situation at this place, she zipped over to my place on her broom. Okay, so it was with her broom, which was just as odd if you ask me. But Macy said she was sweeping her shop when Juni called with the tempting invite. So there’s that. Macy owns Lather and Light, a soap and candle store just about a block from the Country Cottage Inn.
She clears her throat. “When you said there would be some serious honey buns on patrol, I had no idea they’d be this delicious.”
“I said they’d be tasty.” Juni hobbles forward. “And, boy oh boy, is my mouth watering for something delicious to eat.” This little pop tart better step back. A man like this is going to need a real woman to contend with.
My lips invert to keep from smiling. Juni has on a short leather skirt, which she paired with fishnet stockings, and her top looks to be a cross between a bustier and a back brace. It’s clear she came to win some serious security prizes today.
A husky laugh strums from the senior among us as Georgie gives her wild, shaggy hair a quick flick with her fingers.
“Stand back, girls. This level of handsome is going to take a woman to conquer.”
Juni yanks her back as she jockeys for the lead position in this perverted parade.
“You stand back, Mama. It’s best you let me vet them first. I’d hate to have another man out there walking around in your Brockenstocks.”
I suck in a quick breath. “Georgie, did that man from last night steal your shoes? Is that why you were running around in house slippers this morning?”
Macy rolls her eyes. “Please, Brockenstocks should solely be relegated as house slippers. That man did you a favor.”
“Believe me, I was the one doling out the favors last night.” Georgie takes a moment to adjust her turquoise kaftan. “Watch and learn, girls.” She takes off to the room to the right with black walls and onyx floors, with nothing more than a reception counter in it. The entire place is crawling with sexy security detail, so it’s safe to say I shouldn’t have to worry about any of these women for hours.
A familiar blonde mills around near a sign to the left that reads formal dresses and I jab Macy in the side.
“That’s her, that’s Michaela.”
Juni slaps her hands together. “Bizzy found her mark. Let’s head on over and survey the landscape. I bet there’s a buffet of biceps to choose from, and they’re ripe for the picking.”
We head that way in a herd, and Michaela spots us right off the bat.
“Bizzy!” Her face brightens at the sight of us. “McKenna said I should be expecting you.”
A tall man with a dark tan complexion and a fitted suit strides by and Macy latches onto him like a koala bear.
“Hey, big boy,” my sister hums. “Have you been expecting me?”
I make a face as I step on over to Michaela and give her a friendly embrace.
“Sorry. My sister survives on a steady diet of champagne and men.” I hike my glass of the bubbly brew her way.
Michaela belts out a laugh. “Lucky for her, we’ve got copious amounts of both.”
Juni smacks me on the arm. “Box of hot cross buns at ten o’clock. I’m taking Silver Fox and Bedroom Eyes. You can have Bad Boy and the one with the unnatural lump in his pants.”
“What?” I squawk as I turn my head that way.
“Relax, Bizzy,” Juni hisses. “It’s in his pocket. It’s probably a pickle.”
She takes off and I offer a wavering smile to the blonde before me.
“You look so much like your sister.” I shake my head. “I’m sure you’ve heard that all your life.”
Michaela averts her eyes a moment. “Actually, we weren’t raised together for long.” Sometimes I wonder if we were ever raised together at all. We’re that different. McKenna doesn’t realize it, though. “You probably know our parents died in an accident.”
“That’s right,” I say it lower than a whisper. “In a car accident during McKenna’s freshman year of high school.” McKenna and I were good friends in both junior high and that first year of high school, but as soon her parents died, she moved.
She nods. “I was just heading into junior high. My aunt took us in. McKenna got into Gloucester Boarding School after that with a full scholarship and finished out her scholastic career there. I was stuck at home with my colorful aunt.” She squints over at Juni. “She was a lot like your friend. A little too much of a good time.”
We share a warm laugh. “Sounds like you had a colorful upbringing because of it.”
“Oh, I did. My aunt had a hard time, though. She wasn’t expecting to be saddled with two kids. She couldn’t even take care of herself most days. It was no surprise McKenna ran for the scholastic hills. But we made out okay.” Her expression grows sober as she eyes the men behind me.
“And then I reunited with McKenna at Dexter University,” I say. “And do I have some wild stories to share with you someday. Maybe when we’re old and gray and they won’t embarrass your sister too much.” We share another laugh at the thought. “How about you? Are you a Dexter girl? Or did you cross the great divide and head over to our rival, Ward? And before you answer, I won’t hold it against you if you went to the wrong school. My fiancé happens to be a Ward
