Eggnog Trifle Trouble (Murder in the Mix #28) - Addison Moore Page 0,43

to get rid of anything just yet. The baby is still firmly tucked in my belly.”

Carlotta clucks her tongue. “Not after that bawdy ballet you partook in last night.”

Evie chuckles. “Cressi-duh sent me this last night.” She holds out her phone to Lainey and Keelie, and I crane my neck to take a peek, too. “Check out my new screen saver.”

Both Keelie and Lainey let out a sharp cry, inciting every customer in this place to turn their heads our way. Lily comes running over and takes a peek herself.

It’s a clear shot of me hanging upside down with that red cable wrapped precariously around my ankle. My dress is down around my armpits, and my belly bulge and parachute panties are protruding for all to see.

“Knew it,” Lily says, making her way back to the register. “They should make procreating without a license illegal. I expected better from you, Lottie. I’d hate to think what would happen if Noah and Everett see that baby blasphemy taking place. I’d hide that from them if you know what side your Honey-Hollow-after-dark-loving is buttered on.”

“It’s too late,” I hiss. “Noah and Everett showed up and saw the whole thing.”

Another round of gasps ensues from the peanut gallery.

“And they’re angry, too,” I add.

“Wow.” Lily looks downright frightened for me. “And seeing that you live with Everett now, you’ve got nowhere to hide.”

“You can say that again.” I catch a glimpse of the time on Evie’s phone. “In fact, I’ve got a doctor’s appointment in less than twenty minutes, and both Noah and Everett are going to be there. Evie, why don’t you come with me and be a buffer?”

“Sorry, Mom. This is my last week of school before Christmas break, and all of my teachers thought it would be a good idea to send me off with a big test on Friday. Dash is meeting me here. We’re going to stuff our faces with cream puffs and cram.”

I look out at the rest of the pool of prospective body shields.

Keelie stretches her arms. “Well, break’s over. I’d better head back to the Honey Pot. Hope it all works out for you, Lot. I’d hate to see you go from having a husband and a boyfriend to being single once again all in one afternoon.”

Lainey cinches her diaper bag to her shoulder. “It’ll be fine. If Forest even looked at me crooked while I was pregnant with this little peanut, I’d cry and he’d feel so bad he’d give me a massage. It’s a tried-and-true tactic, Lottie. I’d use it if I were you.”

Both Keelie and Lainey scatter.

“I’ll see you at the tree lighting ceremony tonight!” I shout after them.

Dash walks in and Evie runs over to her as they exchange screaming hugs.

I look to Carlotta. “And then there was one.”

“Sorry, kid, but these kinky candles aren’t going to sell themselves.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve got a whole new customer base for you.”

I swipe up my purse and head out into the frozen December snow with Carlotta in tow as we head off to Dr. Barnette’s office.

Certainly Noah and Everett have cooled off by now.

Here’s hoping.

Noah looks to Dr. Barnette. “She was tied up and yanked God knows how many feet in the air.”

Dr. Barnette giggles as she looks to Everett. “My, my, Essex. Still up to your old tricks, I see.”

No sooner did I pee in a cup and change into my gown than Noah and Everett entered the room with looks on their faces that explicitly suggested they were about to tell the teacher all about my acrobatic antics.

Dr. Barnette looks my way with a touch of amusement. Her dark hair is pulled back, and she looks sharp as a tack with her dark-framed glasses and that white lab coat she’s wearing.

Everett’s chest widens. “I can assure you, Priscilla, my bedroom tactics had nothing to do with this one.”

I shoot him a look that screams traitor.

“Dr. Barnette”—I soften my voice a notch—“I left a platter of Christmas cookies for you and the office staff up front. It’s loaded with gingerbread men, peppermint pinwheels, peanut butter blossoms, crème brulee sugar cookies, raspberry thumbprints, snowballs, shortbread bites, and Linzers. And I even included a box just for you to take home to your family.”

“Why thank you, Lottie. I certainly appreciate that.” She sheds a tight smile from me to Carlotta.

“That’s my, Lot Lot.” Carlotta sheds a greasy grin. “Bribing her way out of a pickle with the best of them. Don’t be surprised if she threw