“Don’t worry, Mom.” Evie strides by my side. “I won’t let them defile Uncle Noah either. These women are creepers. And I don’t want anyone who grew up with Cressi-duh to get anywhere near my uncle.”
Cressida Bentley is Evie’s biological mother.
Everly, Evie, Baxter was hidden away from Everett right up until last year because Cressida was waiting to use her like a playing card in order to winnow her way into Everett’s heart. I’ll admit, she sure waited a long time to play that card, but nonetheless Cressida has disqualified herself as mother material. She’s not interested in being Evie’s mother as much as she is in managing her. Thankfully, Everett and I have full custody of Evie now.
I clear my throat as I enter their midst but not a fake eyelash bats my way. The women continue to ravage the men I came with as if I were nothing more than a conduit to making all their high school fantasies come true.
Evie nudges me. “I’ve got this, Mom.” She steps into the middle of the chaos and cups her hands over her mouth. “Free Birkin bags while they last, right next to the refreshment table.” Almost every last one of them trots off in that direction. “And while you’re at it, have a slice of Bundt cake!”
A trio of women is left in their wake. A brunette with long wavy hair and a hip-hugging red dress. And along with her are a redhead in a tiny green dress that glitters as if it were comprised solely of emeralds with shoes to match and a petite blonde in a basic black dress that looks as if she could have plucked it right out of my closet.
The brunette with long hair laughs as a blob of socialites dashes off in the hopes of procuring a pricey handbag.
“Some things never change.” She runs her finger down Everett’s tie. “Like my feelings for you, Essex.”
“Essex?” Evie growls as if she was about to shank the woman.
“Easy.” Everett’s lips flicker just this side of a smile as he steps between Evie and me—wisely, considering he’ll need a human shield to fend off his fan base. “Jasmine”—he nods to the brunette first—“Jen, Ariella, this my wife, Lemon, and my daughter, Evie.”
The three of them gasp in unison.
“Lottie Lemon.” I nod their way.
Noah steps in on the other side of me and wraps an arm around my shoulders. “And Lottie is my girlfriend as well.”
I watch as their jaws unhinge simultaneously, but neither Everett nor I deny it.
Jasmine, the brunette stunner with the waist long hair and the dazzling green eyes, looks as if someone just asked her to swallow a live goldfish.
“Lottie Lemon, I don’t think I care for you too much,” she teases.
The three of them break out into a warm laugh, and oddly, it takes the edge off the rather odd introductions.
“Nice to meet you, Lottie.” The blonde with a cherry red smile holds a hand out my way and I’m quick to shake it. “I’m Jen. Don’t let any of these women intimidate you. Obviously, you’re a real go-getter or you wouldn’t be here with the two most handsome men on your arms.”
“Speak for yourself.” The redhead raises a brow my way. Her hair dusts her shoulders and is layered in soft waves and there’s a down-to-earth quality about her. “I’m Ariella.” She gives my hand a quick shake. “And I have to say, my husband is the most handsome of them all.” She winks over at Noah and Everett when she says it.
Evie jolts. “Wait a minute!” Her eyes widen like a pair of golf balls as she looks to the brunette with the freakishly long hair. “You’re Jazzy Albright! You used to be on that show Money on the Med!” She lets out a howl. “I can’t believe this!” She turns and socks Everett on the arm. “How could you not tell me you went to school with someone famous?” She jumps as she turns back to the woman. “Oh my gosh, does this mean your BFF Stassi Maxwell is here? And that no-good cheat of a husband of yours, See You Later Slater Sutton?”
The smile melts off her face as she tips her head back. “Yes, they’re both present and accounted for.”
“No way!” Evie leaps in her heels. It’s bad enough she’s a full head taller than me without shoes, but she’s a human skyscraper with heels on. “I’ve gotta go call my friends. I’ve got to tell everyone. Carlotta and Lily!” she shouts as she takes off like an enthused bullet.
But Jasmine doesn’t look all that enthused. And I’m guessing her cheating husband has something to do with it.
Jen cranes her neck into the crowd. “I think I see Stassi over there.”
“Don’t look at her.” Jasmine is quick to smack Jen on the arm before she forces a smile in my direction. “It’s common knowledge that Stassi Maxwell invited herself to my soon-to-be ex-husband. I didn’t let the fact she was coming today stop me from showing up myself. In fact, that’s all the energy I have for her this evening.” She looks to Noah and Everett. “I’d ask what’s keeping you busy these days, but well, let’s face it. Everyone has heard about your latest misfortune regarding the arrest. Who knew our two most studious graduates would find themselves on the wrong side of the law—and for body snatching no less?”
It’s true. Everett and Noah helped me steal Florenza Canelli’s body from the morgue last January and we’ve been paying for it ever since.
Correction, Everett is the only one feeling the heat. He’s going to trial for it next month. And even though Noah is still suspended, we suspect he’ll be back at his desk soon enough. That whole body-snatching scheme was my fault, even though both Noah and Everett agree it was Noah’s fault. I made the final call.
It was technically Flo’s fault. She was the ghost who came back to help solve her crime—a supernatural twist in and of itself. And once she found out about the horrible casket, dress, and hairstyle her friends and family were planning for her big farewell, she demanded I steal her body until they came to their senses. In exchange, she promised not to trash my bakery, trash Everett’s judicial career, and help Noah stop a mob war. Stupid decisions were made and here we are.
Noah takes a breath. “All of the charges will be reversed soon enough,” he assures his friends. “What’s new with you guys?”
A smile floats back to Jasmine’s glossy pink lips. “I’m glad you asked, Noah.” The tiny white Maltese gives a few barks as if vying for her attention. “Now that we’ve wrapped up Money on the Med for good”—she leans toward the redhead—“as if I’d ever stay on with the cheat and the snake, I’ve moved on both personally and professionally. My new business, Door-to-Door Gourmet, is almost six months old and is well on its way to becoming the next Fortune 500.”
Jen snorts. “Let’s not get carried away.” She averts her eyes before she looks to Noah. “And I’m about to open my second Hennifer’s Fried Chicken.” An easy smile glides over her lips as she looks my way. “Hennifer is a play on my name, Jennifer.”
“That’s adorable.” I suck in a quick breath. “Wait a minute. I think I’ve heard good things about your place.” My hands float over my swollen belly because, let’s be honest, I wish I were at Hennifer’s right now.