Cupcake Overload (Cupcakes 2)

“What’s Cade up to?” she asked, then we moved a step closer in line.

“He’s working, probably looking into the same thing that I am.”

“Why don’t you work together?” Carmen asked, but it was our turn to order, so I didn’t answer her right away.

Once our order was in and we moved down to the pickup counter, I leaned close to her and said, “I don’t think he’s all to jazzed about me working on this one. What with it involving murder and all.”

“Well, if he’s not going to help you, I’d love to.”

“Really?”

“Hells yeah,” Carmen said with an excited smile.

“But, it can be kind of dangerous, I don’t want to involve you in anything like that.”

“Come on,” Carmen said, sounding slightly offended. “I’m a journalist. My job is to get the story, and I don’t mind fending off a little danger to do it.”

“Sometimes it’s harder than you think,” I replied. “There are bad guys, weapons, and often you end up seeing nasty things that you’ll never be able to unsee.”

“Just give me a chance,” Carmen pleaded. “If it doesn’t work out tonight, or I can’t handle it, I won’t ask again.”

Carmen widened her eyes and pouted her lips.

“Don’t give me those puppy dog eyes,” I said with a laugh. “Okay, okay. But you need to put your hair up and dress skankily. We’re going to The Stagger In.”

Carmen clapped her hands together with glee.

“How’s your cardio?” I asked, then added, “Best to not wear heels.”

“It’s okay,” she replied.

“You know, I started taking self-defense with my friend Bran. You should totally come with me.”

Carmen grimaced and asked, “Where, the gym?”

At my nod, she said, “But, sweat … and pain…”

I started laughing when I noticed the man himself walking toward us.

“Oh, there he is now. Hey, Bran.”

“Hi, Lila, I was just about to call you,” Bran said as he sidled up next to us. “We need to make our plan for this week. I don’t want you skipping out on me like you did last week. I want at least two mornings.”

He paused when he noticed Carmen next to me, and when I turned to introduce them, I saw Carmen staring up at him, her mouth slightly open.

“I know, and I’m sorry. Things were just so hectic with my move and stuff, I promis

e to do better … Carmen, this is Bran,” I started, pointing at my tall, handsome friend, looking dapper in his lawyer suit. “And Bran, this is my friend Carmen. I was actually just telling her she should come with me to work out with you.”

“Nice to meet you, Carmen,” Bran said, then smiled sweetly when she just kept staring at him without responding. “Well, it was great bumping in to you, but I’ve got to get back. Call me when you know what day and time you want to meet up.”

“Sounds great,” I replied, then turned to Carmen when he walked away.

I never thought I’d see the day, but my hyper, always chatty, gorgeous friend was speechless, and it was all due to Branson Braswell.

Amy May got back to me and said I could borrow one of her wigs, so I swung by her place and picked out a short blonde bob. Think, Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Then I sent her a text to say thanks and let her know I got it.

I looked at the clock and realized I had time to check up on another case.