Murder By Muffin (Lucy McGuffin, Psychic Amateur Detective 3)

You know what I think?

I think Will was faking it when he told me he’d never heard of J.W. Quicksilver. As a matter of fact, I’m going to go out on a limb here and bet my last muffin tin that he’s read at least one of J.W.’s books, only he doesn’t want to admit it because Will is a book snob, preferring the classics over popular fiction.

I wonder if I can trick him into admitting it.

“So, what do you say? If Betty Jean can get J.W. Quicksilver to attend one of her book club meetings, will you come too?” I observe Will’s face carefully for any clues.

He stuffs his hands in his trouser pockets. “Sure. If Betty Jean can get this Quicksilver guy to attend one of her book club meetings, then I’ll come. If Betty Jean invites me, that is.”

“Oh, she’ll invite you. You’re a man, and you’re good-looking, so you’re a shoo-in.” The instant I say it, I wish I could take it back.

But instead of acting embarrassed or awkward, Will does something he’s never done before. He places his elbows on the counter and leans in toward me. “Lucy,” he says slowly, “is that your way of telling me you think I’m good-looking?” There’s a slice of humor there, but he’s also serious.

My mouth goes dry.

This is it.

I’ve been waiting twenty-six years for this moment. Well, not twenty-six, exactly, because I was seven when I first discovered my feelings for Will, so it’s more like nineteen years but almost the same thing.

I clear my throat and try to gather my thoughts. How do I start?

A knock on the kitchen door startles us both.

“Lucy! It’s me, Brittany!”

Will and I lock gazes.

“Lucy! I know you’re in there. I need to speak to you now!”

Will blinks, and the moment is lost. And here I was about to spill my heart out to him. I sigh. “Come on in. The door’s not locked.”

Brittany Kelly and a man I don’t recognize walk into the restaurant kitchen. Even though today is Saturday, she’s dressed in one of her business power suits (size 2) and heels. Brittany is the PR person for the Whispering Bay Chamber of Commerce and my ex-nemesis. The two of us went to school together, but we were never friends on account of way back in kindergarten, I accused Brittany of lying about stealing a set of brand-new paint brushes (which she did). Afterward I was labeled a tattletale. But a few weeks ago, circumstances made us look back on the incident in a different way. Apparently, all this time, Brittany has wanted to be my friend. So that’s what we are now. Friends.

I have to say, though, being Brittany’s friend requires a lot of energy.

The man is maybe in his early forties, medium height, with sandy-colored hair and the kind of bland good looks that belong to a bank vice president or a game show host. He’s wearing a Florida State University sweatshirt and smiles like he’s embarrassed by Brittany’s pushiness.

“Lucy!” Brittany nearly knocks me down with her hug. “I just heard the terrible news. How are you holding up?” She studies my face, then notices Will, and her eyes go wide.

Will has had a mad crush on Brittany since forever, and the two of them went on a date a couple of weeks ago. I tried not to act too gleeful when he told me the date was a bust.

I wish I knew how Brittany felt about Will, but I haven’t had the guts to ask her. If Brittany tells me that she has feelings for Will, then it will put me in a terrible pickle because I’m not the kind of girl who goes around trying to steal her friend’s crush. Even if I’ve been crushing on him longer.

“I just went to see Tara,” says Brittany. “Lucy, she’s threatening to kick you off the show. She says you gave The Gazette an unauthorized interview and that according to your contract, it’s grounds for dismissal.”

Before I can say anything in my defense, my timer goes off. I open the oven and pull out the tray—six perfectly golden on the outside super-size apple walnut cream cheese muffins baked to absolute perfection.

The man sniffs appreciatively. “Smells good.”

“Oh!” says Brittany. “So sorry! I almost forgot. This is Darren Winters. He’s the head of the chamber of commerce for Catfish Cove. He’s here in town for a few days to get some PR pointers from me.”

“Will Cunningham.” Will reaches out to shake Darren’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”

I follow Will’s suit. “Lucy McGuffin. Go Noles!” I add, pointing to his sweatshirt.

Darren chuckles. “You a Seminoles fan, Lucy?”

“I grew up in north Florida, so yeah, I’m definitely an FSU fan.”