Cupcake Explosion (Cupcakes 4)

“Well, I just wanted to check and make sure everything was all right. I hope your friend’s okay.”

“Thanks, Cynthia, she’ll be fine,” I assured her. “I’ll be over in a minute to grab a coffee.”

“Sure, I’ll get that started for you. Remember, don’t even think about trying to pay. Your money’s no good here.”

I smiled gratefully at her. A while back I’d caught a thief who’d been terrorizing her shop, which had earned me free coffee for life.

“Do you think I should go talk to Amy May?” Carmen asked, worrying her lower lip.

I shook my head.

“Give her some time to cool off. Amy May can be hotheaded, but she’s usually quick to come to her senses and listen to reason. Don’t get worked up about it, she’ll be okay.”

Carmen tended to take things to heart and stress over them, and I hated to think of the anxiety she’d have, worrying about Amy May being upset with her.

“Okay, I’m gonna grab a cup and get to work, got a runaway to find,” I said, then added, “And, I think we’re due for a Ladies Night. We’ll have to get one on the books.”

“Need any help with your runaway?” Bea asked.

“Not yet, but I’ll let you know,” I said.

“Oh, let me know too, you know I love to help you investigate,” Carmen added, her tone conveying her excitement.

I chuckled and said, “I will, promise,” then went off in search of free coffee.

And, a cupcake.

“CLARICE, HOW’S THE world of beauty?” I asked as I walked into her salon.

“Hey, Lila, long time. What’s new?” she returned, glancing up from the leg she was currently pounding on.

“Oh, not much,” I said airily, walking up to her with my hand outstretched.

I wiggled my fingers for effect, smiling when Clarice’s eyes got wide. She grabbed my hand, hers a bit greasy from the lotion she’d been rubbing on her client’s leg, and stood up quickly.

“Sweet Baby Jesus, is that what I think it is?” she asked.

“If you think it’s an engagement ring from a hot, badass, motorcycle man . . . then, yes!” I replied, jumping up and down.

The three teenaged girls sitting in the pedicure chairs were looking at us like we were nuts, but I didn’t care. There were few things in life that were jump worthy, and this engagement was definitely one of them.

After I’d gotten divorced from my ex, formerly known as The Douche, now just called Eric, I’d vowed never to fall in love and get married again. Even when I started seeing Cade, he’d been pretty clear that he wasn’t the type to settle down and get a white picket fence, but, to both of our surprise, here we were. Engaged, about to move in together and be married, and I had never been happier.

If that didn’t deserve a little booty shake in public, I didn’t know what did.

Once I was done jumping and shaking my booty with Clarice, who, although wasn’t one of my besties, was a cool chick, I struggled to catch my breath and shot a happy smile to the teens I was here to interrogate.

I mean . . . question.

“Wow, I can’t believe you got that man to settle down,” Clarice said, her voice filled with awe. “What is that?” she asked, her eyes on the stone.

“Sea glass, from Hawaii. Cade made the ring himself,” I replied, my heart getting all squishy. I didn’t tell her that he’d made it in class when he was in high school, and told his mother to save it for the woman he married. Or that he’d said when he met me and saw that my eyes matched the sea glass perfectly, he’d known I was the woman for him.

That was a tale for those closest to me.

“It’s beautiful. Congrats, Lila, you deserve a man like Cade, especially after that shit your asshole ex pulled.”

“Thanks. Now, I need a kick-ass manicure to show this baby off.”