Lei'd With Cupcakes (Cupcakes 3)

“That’s fantastic, Amy May; we should definitely be celebrating. And, Bea, a baby? You and Shannon will be terrific parents.”

“We’re still in the talking about it stage, but, yeah,” Bea said, positively glowing, “I think we’re going to go for it.”

I turned to Carmen, fully expecting to see her glowing back at me, but my smile fell when I saw the look on her face.

“What?” I asked warily. “Did something bad happen?”

Carmen gave a half shrug and said, “I don’t know. The date didn’t quite go as well as I thought it would. I was in my head, you know, and it threw me off. It was the most awkward, boring date of my life.”

“Really?” I said, completely shocked. I’d totally thought that Bran and Carmen would be perfect together. They were both strong, independent, successful, funny, and great people. And, it couldn’t go unsaid, they were both freakin’ hot. I thought it was a match made in heaven. “I can’t believe it.”

“Yeah, well, it was bad, believe me. We didn’t talk, we just sort of looked at each other while picking at our food. It was a relief when the waiter brought the check. I ran out of there as soon as I could, said I had a deadline to meet.”

“That stinks, Carmen,” I said, feeling sad and guilty. “I’m sorry if I pushed you too hard to say yes.”

“It’s not your fault, sometimes things just don’t work out.”

“Well, I’m not giving up. There’s someone out there that’s just waiting to prove that he deserves someone beautiful, classy, smart, and funny like you, and we’re going to find him,” I promised.

Carmen shrugged again, then said, “Let’s change the subject back to one of you guys. I don’t want to bring the table down.”

“You’re not,” Bea and Amy May said in unison.

“But,” Amy May added, “I would like to hear more about when Cade and Lila went skinny dipping with his parents.”

I groaned while everyone else laughed, and I couldn’t help but think again, how good it is to be home.