Always Room for Cupcakes (Cupcakes 1)

Amy May took the phone out of my hand and studied the picture, then her face turned red and her free hand covered her mouth.

I braced, ready for hysterics, then got the second shock of my life when rather than crying, she started to giggle.

“Amy May,” I said softly, thinking she was losing it.

She busted out in a full-on laugh after that, then shook her head and said, “Sorry, Lila, I didn’t mean to laugh, especially when you look so devastated, but Jason isn’t cheating on me.”

“I was there last night,” I replied, taking the phone and pushing it into her face. “Look at the picture, Amy May, the evidence is right in front of you.”

“You look at the picture,” she said, turning my hand so the camera was facing me. “Look at her face, Lila … That’s me.”

“What?” I asked, squinting to look at the picture, then realized what I was doing and touched the screen to zoom in on the woman. It was hard to tell in profile, but I could see that the woman did resemble Amy May. “What are you talking about?”

Amy May blushed as she explained, “Well, you know what it’s like, being married as long as Jason and I have … Sometimes we like to spice things up and role play.”

“What?” I asked again, this time shouting.

“It was just for fun. I get dressed up, put on a wig, and go to a bar. Then he shows up and we pretend to be strangers. He picks me up and we go to a hotel… “

I sat there, staring at her, eyes wide before I blinked one time slowly.

“You’re telling me that I spent the night in emotional hell, devastated that a man that I love and trust was cheating on my best friend, and it was all really just you guys playing out your kinky sex life?”

Another giggle, then Amy May replied, “Well, I don’t know how kinky it is, but it does keep things interesting.” She covered my hand with her own and said, “I’m sorry you were worried, and I really do appreciate you looking out for me, but, honey, all men aren’t like your ex. Jason wouldn’t cheat on me.”

I hung my head and said, “I know that, I do. I just saw you from behind and freaked out. I’m sorry … Don’t tell Jason?”

“Oh, I have to tell Jason,” Amy May said with a laugh when I looked at her with despair. “He’s gonna die!”

“He’s going to hate me,” I countered, worried that he’d see it as a betrayal, since he was also my friend.

“You know better than that,” she said, then took pity on me and added, “I made some cream puffs this morning. Want some?”

I nodded, knowing my face looked pitiful as I sulked about looking like a fool.

“Lila,” Amy May said, pulling me up to stand with her. “I love you.”

“Love you, too, Amy May.”

After that embarrassing, but happy, turn of events with Amy May and Jason, I was happy to be hot on the trail of another perp.

I needed to go in, get the shots, and prove to myself that I had what it took to do this job.

I needed a little reassurance.

So, I was back at the sleazy motel, this time on the second floor, following a lead Moose had sent about a man who was suspected of sleeping around.

Right in my wheelhouse…

I’d followed the man, a tall, distinguished-looking man who appeared totally out of place in this part of town, and a stringy-haired brunette with literally the biggest tits I’d ever seen in my life. No way those things were real. In fact, I figured she must have to special order bras and tops and stuff, because those things were impossible to contain.

I’d been getting ice out of the machine as part of my cover and almost got hit with a nipple when she walked past me.

I paid attention to what room they went in, but found luck was not with me when I saw they’d drawn the curtains.

Knowing I needed to prove myself to not just Moose, but to me, I racked my brain for a solution. I needed these shots.

Coming to a conclusion, I reached my hand up and knocked loudly on their door, then took off running and hid around the corner.