“Stop doing that,” Bea said, causing Amy May to drop the peel.
They were right, I did bring them there to talk about Cade, so I laid it all out. Catching Bea up on the stuff she missed, then telling them both about the night he broke in and all the stuff he said about me being the one for him, and the business about calling people darlin’.
“I really like him; when can we go on a double date?” Amy May asked, picking up a loaded potato skin and biting it with a moan. “These are so good.”
“Uh, I don’t know,” I replied, wondering what Cade would think about going on a double date. “That doesn’t really seem like his scene. Maybe we could plan a barbecue or something … a few months from now.”
“A few months?” she asked with a scowl.
“Could you let me get used to this first? He hasn’t even met my kids or anything yet, and I was the first person he ever dated … I’d like to hold off on throwing him into the fire with my friends.”
Bea hadn’t said anything, so I turned my attention to her and asked, “What are you thinking?”
“I’m not sure yet, the jury’s still out.”
“Why?” Amy May asked.
“Because, Amy May, the fact that he’s a man who gets things done kind of freaks me out. I’m not positive he’s on the right side of the law, even if this time he’s working on keeping drugs out of our city. Plus, he’s breaking into her apartment, and bossing her around all the time. I’m not certain he’s the guy for Lila, so I’m reserving judgment until I know more.”
“It doesn’t sound like you’re reserving judgment; in fact, you sound very judgy,” Amy May argued, and I just sat back, munching on taquitos and sipping on my martini as I watched. “He makes her feel safe. He likes her, like, really likes her. He’s never dated anyone before, yet now he’s dating her. He’s a big mountain of Hawaiian hotness, who gets her off like no one has before, especially The Douche, and badass motorcycle man with a dog and a cabin. What the hell’s not to like?”
“We’ll just have to agree to disagree on this one, okay, Amy May?” Bea said, running her hand over her short hair and causing it to spike up. “I’m sorry, Lila, I want you to be happy, I do. I just want to make sure you’re thinking with your head, not your loins.”
“Her loins?” Amy May guffawed, falling sideways in the booth and bumping Bea’s shoulder.
“Shut up,” Bea said with a laugh. “You know what I mean.”
“You need to stop reading those old historical romance novels,” Amy May teased, and I knew their argument was over.
I was okay with the fact that Bea didn’t jump on board the Pro-Cade train right away. I knew she was just looking out for me, and as a cop, wanted to make sure I wasn’t getting involved in anything dangerous.
Well, more dangerous than what I was already involved in with Moose, Hector, Carlos, and the Coke Club. I’d agreed to send her all of the pictures I’d taken so far, along with any information I could think of that Moose had given me over the course of the last few weeks.
“I will say one thing,” Bea said as she finished the last of her wine. “Cade’s right about the kids staying with The Douche and you staying with him. I’ll feel better knowing you’re all safe until we can find Hector and get him off the streets. Hopefully, before his brother finds him. The last thing we need is a drug war in the middle of Greenswood.”
“I talked to him earlier. He’s picking the kids up after school tomorrow, and then I’m going to Cade’s.”
“Another round, ladies?” the hot waiter asked, coming up to clear our empty plates.
“Nah, we’re old,” I said with a chuckle. “We have to get home and go to bed.”
The waiter laughed, probably thinking I was joking, and said he’d be right back with our bill.
“Hey, how’s it going?” a happy voice chimed in and we all turned to see Carmen Santos approaching the table.
Well, maybe not so much approaching as hopping. She was once again smiling happily, her long, two-toned hair straightened so that it fell almost to her waist. She was wearing a maxi skirt and a tank top, with bangles adorning her wrists.
“Hey, Carmen,” I said, smiling back. I looked around to see my friends smiling at her too. So either it was because her smile was infectious, or we each had a good buzz. “These are my friends Amy May, and Bea.”
Carmen gave a little finger wave, then said, “Best cupcakes in the world, and toughest cop in town.”
Amy May and Bea both practically beamed at Carmen’s praise, and I realized she was probably the most positive, uplifting person I’d ever met.
“Carmen’s a reporter,” I added, completing the introductions, although Carmen seemed to know who everyone was.
“And a blogger,” she amended cheerfully. “I’d love to do a post about your bakery, Amy May.”
“Really?” Amy May asked, obviously pleased.