Wicked Whoopie Pies Addison Moore (the false prince series TXT) 📖

shoves her arm to mine. “It’s a little bit true. The woman stalked you for months. She’s creepy. And she’s wearing your face. It doesn’t sit well with me either. But then again, I got used to it on you, I’ll probably get used to it on her, too.” She gives a quick glance around. “And just a heads-up, I’m looking to move from my condo. So if you’re looking for someone to lease your grandma Nell’s place, I’m open. Hook and I broke it off.” She holds up a hand. “I don’t want to talk about it. Keep me in mind for the house.” She takes off before I can dive into a post-breakup analysis.

Hook Redwood and Meg have been going out for a couple of years now. He was on the verge of proposing at one point.

Hey? Maybe that’s why she sent him packing.

Whatever occurred, I hope it ended amicably.

“Can you believe that?” I say to Everett and Sergio, inadvertently interrupting their conversation. “Hook and Meg broke up just like that.”

Sergio shrugs. “I’m not surprised. I happened to witness the event. Unfortunately, they treated half the guests at Mangias to the spectacle the other night as well.”

“Ooh.” I wince. “Sorry to hear it. So much for ending amicably.”

“Speaking of not ending amicably, neither did that.” Everett nods to the front of the room where a small army of deputies swarms around poor Terri.

I spot Clementine not too far from there, patting Evie on the back as she does her best to comfort her.

“Excuse me,” I say as I speed in that direction, and both Evie and Clementine look my way at the very same time.

“Mom.” Evie lunges at me with a firm embrace and tucks her mouth next to my ear. “Turns out, she thinks I’m deeply distraught and I won’t have to turn in my paper next week.”

I pull back and shoot Evie a look. “Don’t you have some friends waiting for you outside?”

“You’re right.” She flashes a quick smile at Clementine before sobering up once again. “You know Dash, Conner, and Kyle. They’re out there waiting for me. I’d better run. But thanks for extending the due date on that paper.”

“No worries.” Clementine grips her neck with her fingers. “And please, just forget about the paper altogether. You just focus on happy things like prom. It’ll be here before you know it.”

“Prom!” I say, startled by my own voice just as Evie bullets past me. “I forgot all about Evie’s junior prom. I guess that takes me out of running for Mother of the Year.”

Clementine waves it off. “Didn’t you just have a baby? And you’re still running your own bakery? Believe me, you’re still in the running in my book.”

“Thanks,” I say as we look toward the melee before us together. “So very tragic.”

“I guess it depends on how you look at it.” She glares at Terri as if she were still fuming about whatever it was they were arguing about. “Excuse me,” she whispers as she speeds right out of the building.

I turn back and spot Nelson Stalwart, Noah’s buddy from the precinct, speaking with the woman with the bun and the two of them can’t take their eyes off of Terri as they shake their heads.

Ironic how they’re suddenly sorry for Terri, when earlier I saw the two of them getting heated with her. But then, I bet they feel terrible about it now after the fact. I know I would.

“Carlotta Junior?” a voice calls out from behind.

I turn to find Jimmy Canelli staring back at me with nefarious dealings twinkling in his dark eyes. Jimmy is somewhere in his sixties, with his shock of gray hair. He’s pretty fit, if you don’t count the paunch, and I’m betting he’s always packing heat. As he should be, considering he’s a walking target for rival mob families in the area.

Behind him is a tall, beefy man who looks as if he could lift this whole building off its foundation with one arm. My guess is he’s one of Jimmy’s henchmen.

“Jimmy.” I practically jump at the sight of him. “I mean, Dad.” I shrug before offering him a somewhat awkward embrace. If this ruse is going to work, I had better make it believable. Now that Jimmy is convinced he’s my father, Everett and I don’t have a hit to worry about in the world. “Thank you so much for coming out today. Lyla Nell and I really appreciate that.”

Everett walks up with my baby bag in hand and I take it from him and hitch it to my shoulder.

Everett nods to Jimmy. “Thank you from me as well.”

“Not a problem.” Jimmy looks from me to Everett. “You’re good kids. And you’re my kids now. Don’t forget it.”

“Oh, we won’t.” I shake my head a little too enthusiastically as his henchman strides past me and bumps into my baby bag. “Ooh, I’m sorry. My fault.” I wave to the man, but he keeps on walking so I turn back to my new Daddy Dearest. “When can we see you again? I mean, now that we’re family, I think we should get together more often.”

“I agree. You’ll both be seeing me around. I can guarantee you that.” He takes a moment to glare at Everett before nodding my way. “Would you like me to throw away that coffee cup for you?”

“Oh no, I’ve hardly had a sip. I’ll take care of it. Thank you, though. And I look forward to getting to know you better.”

“Likewise.” He takes off with his henchman in tow and a chill rides up my spine just watching them go.

Everett pulls me in. “Are you okay?”

I give a tiny nod. “But Terri isn’t.” I glance to the front where the coroner has just begun taking pictures of what will eventually pan out to be a crime scene. “The ghost of a skunk isn’t here because Terri died of natural causes. We’ve got a murder on our hands, Everett.”

“And I already know there’s