Keelie shakes her head. “I couldn’t find anyone else to watch little Bear, so Daddy’s got babysitting detail. He said we could role-play once I got home. I’ll be the cute burglar looking to rob the handsome contractor’s home, and he’s going to teach me a lesson.”
“Taking a page right out of my playbook, Keelie Nell.” Carlotta pats her niece on the back before taking in a sharp breath as she stares off at the buffet. “I see oysters and king crab legs. Come on, Keels. It’s time to get our seafood game on. Good thing I brought my big purse.” They take off without giving it a second thought, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that large platter of skewered shrimp and pineapple wasn’t calling my name. I’m about to drop a shrimp-shaped hint to the handsome steeds before me when a couple of all too familiar faces head this way. “Oh no.”
Noah and Everett turn in the direction I’m gawking at and they both straighten at the sight.
Not only are we staring down the barrel of Suze Fox, but striding up beside her is Serena Digby.
Suze has donned a floor-length beaded crimson dress that looks as if it’s weighing her down. Her short blonde hair swoops across her eyes, and that scowl of hers is accentuated with dark lipstick that matches her gown. Serena, however, looks light and airy in a black flowing gown. Her dark hair gleams like a raven’s feathered plume, and her eyes sparkle in this dim light like emeralds.
“Lottie Lemon.” Serena offers something between a frown and a smile my way before looking to Noah and Everett. “Hot Cop, Hot Judge.” She nods their way. “What’s happening here?”
“I thought this was the new location of our birthing classes,” I say, rubbing my belly. Thankfully, Lainey had given me a plum velvet maternity dress and I look somewhat fashionable, and somewhat like a house—a house that ate a small condo complex for breakfast.
Suze sneers my way. “Don’t listen to her, Serena. That was a weak attempt at humor. It’s clear they’re crashing your sister’s wedding.” She doesn’t bother hiding her disapproval as she looks to Noah. “I thought you said you learned your lesson and wouldn’t be following Essex into any more of his tomfoolery.”
“Following me?” Everett takes a step back as he examines Noah in this new light.
I can’t help but scoff over at my handsome hubby. “When you say it like that, it’s as if you expect me to be the one in charge of the tomfoolery around here.”
Neither Noah nor Everett says a single word.
Suze growls my way, “Well, if the broken glass slipper fits.”
I knew I would regret not letting her fry a few months back when I had the chance. It just so happens Suze was the prime suspect in a murder investigation, and I, of all people, helped prove her innocence. She has a funny way of saying thank you.
“Serena, I apologize for crashing your sister’s wedding.” I take a quick breath. “Everett was working on an early Valentine’s Day surprise for me, and I guess he thought the planetarium was open.”
“That’s right.” Everett glides an arm around the back of my waist. “My sincerest apologies from us all. Unfortunately, Lemon and I rarely get a moment alone without having a few tagalongs come for the ride.”
Smooth.
It didn’t even occur to me to cover for the fact Noah, Carlotta, and Keelie were here. This kid really is munching on my brain.
Noah’s chest expands as he sheds an easy smile to Serena. “This was Everett’s version of a babymoon. Of course, I’ll be taking Lottie on a babymoon myself.” He points those dimples of his my way. “How does a trip to the lodge sound? Weekend after Valentine’s Day?”
Everett pulls his shoulders back. “Sounds like fun, sweetheart. Lemon and I will take the honeymoon suite. If you’re lucky, I’ll school you on the slopes.”
“Ooh”—I do a little hop while strangling Everett’s arm—“I bet Evie would love to come, too.” I nod to Suze. “She’s practically a world-class skier.”
“I couldn’t care less,” Suze huffs.
“Mom.” Noah dares to raise his voice to the woman who bore him. “You should care. Evie is my niece. I’d do anything for her.”
Suze smirks. “Would you do anything for me?” She waves someone over, and before we know it, we’re treated to Noah’s look-alike younger brother, Alex.
Noah and Alex look as if they could be twins in every way. And it just so happens that Alex runs a finance firm along with Meg’s boyfriend, Hook Redwood.
“Hey”—Alex laughs as that famed dimpled grin takes over—“if it isn’t all the hot stuff Honey Hollow can afford. Lottie, you look great.” He pulls me into a half-hug. “Are these two knuckleheads still making you nuts?” He slaps Everett on the back. “How’s my favorite brother?” He turns and gives a wink to Noah. “And you? Still unemployed, huh?”
Suze pins a false grin to her face. “They’re both unemployed. Apparently, that Hearst curse has bled over from their betrothed and into their own lives. You know, there is one way for the two of you to be free of it.”
“What’s that?” My heart pounds as I ask. Because Lord knows I would certainly like to be free of it myself.
“They leave you,” Suze spits the words out with her dry sense of humor. Only I’m not so sure she was joking when she said it. “Anyway, boys, the photographer here is my friend, and now that we’re all spiffied up, I’d like a formal portrait taken with my sons. And that means you, too, Essex,” she says, linking her arms through Noah’s and Everett’s. “Come, Alex. This will just take a moment.”
The four of them whisk off in a blur, and it’s just Serena and me left standing there.
“Alex is here as my date, if you must know,” Serena says as she continues to look
