how tough Honey Hollow High can be. I was almost a graduate here myself. These bully-laden grounds are just crawling with mean girls looking to make our little Evie’s existence a living heck. But I’ve got the upper hand on the situation. I know just how to handle them. I’ve got a plan that will put Evie large and in charge of every teen queen in Vermont.”
I blink over at her. “A part of me wants to ask about this plan, and yet another part of me knows better. Which part should I listen to, Everett? You’re the one that makes a living out of sound judgment and reason.”
His mouth opens and closes. “That’s not what I meant, Lemon.”
“Oh, it’s what you meant.” My voice shakes without my permission, and truthfully, I can’t remember a single time where my anger had gotten the better of me. It’s as if this hormonal surge in my body was just begging to go here, and I can’t seem to stop it.
“Finally!” Carlotta slaps her hands together. “A good old-fashioned date night fight. I can only imagine the make-up lovin’ the man with a gavel can dole out.” She elbows me in the side. “Go on, Lot. Get him good and worked up. You won’t regret it. In fact, once you take a walk on the stormy side, you’ll never share a kind word with this man again. Which reminds me, I need to pick a fight with Harry before the clock strikes twelve and he turns into a polite pushover.” She leans my way. “If you hear screams coming from my bedroom, that’s just me reaping the benefits of my argumentative efforts. My motto has always been a little raucous rumpus leads to a riotous romp.” She nods to Everett. “Keep up the good work. A little more anger and resentment, and you’ll have her eating out of the palm of your hand—or whatever other body part you want to slap some whipped cream on.” She sucks in a quick breath while looking past him. “I see that celestial canine sniffing around the apple crisps. I’ll go see if I can catch her.” She starts to take off, then backtracks. “Good job, Lot, working your dessert into another homicide. Word on the underground street is, the mob is looking to recruit you as a hitman. If you want, I can help you figure out a fee. With my connections to the underworld, I think you should consider a fifty-fifty split.”
“I’m not considering it.” I belt it out a little too harsh as she takes off. “And hands off of Evie,” I shout.
The room is suddenly flooded with emergency medical workers, not to mention an entire army of sheriff’s deputies.
A wave of nausea takes over, and I let out a dull moan while clutching my stomach.
“Is it the baby?” Everett’s voice is tight with panic.
“I’m fine. I’m just queasy. Nothing some ice water won’t cure.”
“I’m on it.” He hooks his daring blue eyes to mine. “I’m not opposed to getting argumentative if it means protecting our baby.” He gives the hint of a wink, and I’m onto the fact he’s not all that sorry our indelicate disagreements might just have a very real sexual side effect—of the beneficial variety, of course.
I twitch my lips. “I’ll fight you tooth and nail to protect my investigative freedoms. You have to trust that I won’t put myself in danger.” Not on purpose anyway.
His lids hood a notch as his eyes glaze over. “Why don’t we meet up at my place tonight?”
“I don’t go out of my way to have someone tell me what to do. I’m staying home.”
“Fine,” he says it a touch too curt. “I’ll use my key.”
“Fine,” I say with a touch too much vigor myself. “I’ll be waiting in my bed.”
His lips curve with devilish delight as he takes off, and I all but fan myself in his wake.
“Lottie?” a familiar female voice trills from behind, and I’m shocked to see my bestie cradling a blue bundle in her arms.
“Keelie, what are you doing here with baby Bear?” I coo as I peer over at him and pet the soft blond peach fuzz on his head. He’s so perfect with his big eyes and button nose. Even at two weeks old he looks like the perfect combination of Keelie and that papa Bear of his.
“Please, I’m going to blink and he’ll be a senior at Honey Hollow High. I’ve got to get used to