The conservatory is teeming with men and women putting on the ritz. Women in glamorous frocks, men in dapper suits.
The music is loud, the bodies are swirling, the scent of coffee and cologne are clashing, and the carpet is still hot pink. Personally, I’m shocked Cormack and Cressida don’t have better taste than this. By the time my mother gets her B&B back, she’ll have to burn it to the ground and start from scratch. God forbid she hires Bear to rebuild it. She’ll have to stand in line behind both of the houses he’s working on for me—Grandma Nell’s old place and my dream house with Everett.
Lily and Suze are serving up my lemon Bundt cake at the dessert table, and standing to the side of it I see Stassi Maxwell and Jen Olsen with their heads knit together. Cormack and Cressida are working the room with their annoying high-pitched cackles. And my mother and Evie are helping with the refreshments.
A banner is tacked up over the back of the glass conservatory that reads Welcome to the Fallbrook Premier Academy Class Reunion! Take two!
“You ready to do this?” I try to hike up on my tiptoes to kiss my handsome hubby, but my girth is too much for my poor feet so I simply pucker up instead.
“I’m always ready to kiss you.”
He plants a wet one on me, and it quickly transforms to something deeper and far too heated for the environment we’re in.
I pull back and give him a stern look. “As soon as this is over, we’re going to have to get busy in the bedroom. It’s time to give this baby its eviction, and Dr. Barnette said that some lovin’ with my husband could speed things along. Lord knows I can’t take these Braxton Hicks contractions anymore. Um—I mean, like the kind I had at my baby shower. Have you ever had sex with a woman in labor?”
“Not to my knowledge. Nor have there been any with child, that I know of.”
“Well, buck up, buddy. You’ve got one serious job to do, and we will do it all weekend—in every way, all day if that’s what it takes. I guess I really will have a happy birthday.”
“I guarantee it.” His lids hood and those delicious lips of his curve. “Those are orders I will happily follow.” His expression hardens once again as he exhales. “But I won’t lie, I’m still weary of putting you in danger.”
“I’m so angry with the Canellis,” I growl. “But we’re going to have to put them aside. I’m not kidding, Everett. I’m two weeks overdue. We’re in the red zone. You’re going to have to do your part to help me out. Don’t make me recruit another man for the position.”
A dark chuckle strums from him. “I wouldn’t bother with amateurs, Cupcake. You’re in need of a pro. We’ll make this work.” He shoots a quick glance out at the crowd. “I’ve got a plan, Lemon. Don’t worry. I have a feeling everything will work out as far as the Canellis go. I hope.” He says that last part under his breath.
I’d quiz him on it, but one of our suspects is headed this way.
“Slater.” Everett pulls him in for one of those manly half-hugs. “Glad to see you here.”
I nod up at the poor man I all but attacked the other night. He’s clean-shaven for the event. He’s donned a dark inky suit, matching tie, and enough cologne to outfit a half a dozen men. His eyes look bright, but his smile is apprehensive.
“I owe you an apology,” I tell him and his features soften. “Please forgive me for the shakedown I was giving you the other night. My hormones have been all over the place, I can hardly move, my bladder is the size of a dime, and I’m two weeks past my due date. It’s safe to say I’m a little rough around the edges.”
“No apology necessary.” He gives a little laugh. “I get it. We all have our days. And two people were killed. It’s been an emotional month for me, too. I can’t get over the fact things have changed so drastically. It’s like a bad dream.”
“You said it.” Everett nods. “Stassi’s here.” He hitches his head toward the refreshment table. “How are things between the two of you now?”
“Ice cold. I’d have better luck winning the lottery than her even looking my way. We’re done. As far as I know, she’s denying we ever happened. But that’s an old wound, and I’m ready to march on.” He twists toward the crowd, and there’s a green glint to the side of his suit jacket. Instantly, my memory is jogged. It’s the same green glint I saw on him that night. “I’d better mingle. I’m planning on making this quick tonight.” He shoots Everett with his fingers. “Congratulations on that baby. And don’t be a stranger. It feels good connecting again.”
“I agree,” Everett says as we watch Slater disappear into the crowd.
“He’s wearing the same jacket he wore that night,” I say it low as if it were a secret.
“That’s understandable. He probably hasn’t had a chance to take it to the cleaners yet. Most men never take their suits to the cleaners. Take Noah for instance.” Everett takes up my hand and kisses it.
“Very funny.”
Noah spent the day in Ashford at the precinct, but he said he wouldn’t miss this, so I expect to see him here any minute now.
My stomach begins to harden once again, and I try my darnedest not to squeeze the life out of Everett’s hand as I power through it.
“Are you okay?” He leans in, and I can feel those blue lasers he sees the world though inspecting me with scrutiny. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able
