Sealed with a Hiss by Addison Moore (read 50 shades of grey .txt) 📕

“Speaking of meatballs, I’d love to take a juicy bite out of that one.” She nods to Macy. “Way to go, kid. Try not to take a page out of your sister’s playbook. Word on the street is she wears flannel to bed.”

I do, but in my defense, it’s one of Jasper’s flannel shirts, and he happens to like me in it. I think.

“Well, well,” Lacey purrs. “If it isn’t Macy, the tiger tamer, and our favorite big cat. Careful, Macy”—she wags a finger playfully at my big sis—“rumor has it, this cat bites.”

“Oh, he does.” Macy nods with that bored look she gives when she’s being sardonic. “In all the right places.”

Georgie leans my way. “Bet you’re sorry you ended up playing seven minutes in heaven with your brother instead of this guy.”

“Eww.” Macy swats me for no good reason. “Tell me the rumors aren’t true. You did not make out with our brother.”

My mouth opens and closes. “It was an accident.”

Everyone in our small circle frowns my way, and I could swear I just heard someone hissing at me from behind.

Macy straightens. “Have no fear, girls.” She smears a tight smile to Lacey and Bobbie. “Unlike my sister, I am not a freak of nature. Tiger will be my official plus one tomorrow night.”

Lacey averts her eyes at the thought. It’s probably for the better. Although, I’ll need a date before the big event or the sheeple we’re leading toward the Valentine’s Day slaughter might actually accuse me of not practicing what I preach. And with Bobbie off the hook this year, it’s up to me alone to paddle this loveless canoe.

I guess she’s feeling pressured to find a plus one for tomorrow night. And ironically, the pressure is coming from her own platform.

A thought hits me. “You know, Lacey, my best friend’s brother works at the inn, and he’s hoping to find a date by tomorrow night.” I whip out my phone and quickly flash a picture of him her way and her lips part as she ogles him.

“Oh, that boy is already taken—by me.” She laughs, and the rest of us laugh along with her.

Macy tips her head my way. “Good to know you’re holding strong with that whole brother theme. Too bad ours is getting married tomorrow night.”

“I’m not laughing,” I say.

“I’m not being funny.”

Diane pats her belly. “I’d better go fill up while there are still meatballs to be had.” She looks to Bobbie and Lacey. “Girls, you’d better eat, too. You’ll need to get your energy up for tomorrow. You’ll have to show up an hour early for the book signing.” And if we’re still in the red by tomorrow night, they’ll both have to go back to selling insurance. Lord knows those empty words they’re spewing into the world aren’t racking up the dollars. She looks to Georgie and me. “I’ll see you both mañana.”

“Feel free to bring Gizmo,” I tell her. “Sherlock, Fish, and especially Sugar are looking forward to seeing him again.”

“Great. At least this way I won’t be without a date. I’d bring my husband, but he’s in bed by seven.”

Georgie gives a commiserating nod as she points my way. “And her husband wishes he could get her in bed at any hour.”

A nervous laugh escapes the poor woman as she makes her escape.

“Would you stop?” I say to the mumbling menace.

Georgie narrows her eyes over mine. “When was the last time you said those words, Bizzy? Be honest. Was it last night?”

Bobbie chortles as she shakes her head our way. “Georgie, you are adorable.” At least Chip has stopped his foray into fornicating with someone other than his wife. And that’s exactly why we’re all here today. “Attention, ladies!” she calls out. “Let’s get those bodies moving and grooving. This is a celebration, after all.” She sashays her way into the crowd while shaking her hips to the sound of the jazz band, and Lacey tips her head back as she watches.

Too bad these women don’t realize this is exactly where their hopeless hearts will lead them one day. Lacey laughs to herself. A cheating louse of a husband, lying cold in a grave, and wife with over one million shiny new reasons to celebrate. Now that is a love story I can get behind.

She takes off, and I scoff in her wake.

It sounds as if Bobbie did get that life insurance payout.

I guess she lied to Diane after all. Or maybe there was a mix-up and Bobbie will make good on that money she owes her yet?

“Come on, kiddo.” Georgie bumps her hips to mine. “I’ll show you a few dirty dance moves you can incorporate into your routine. There might be hope for you yet.”

She bops off into the crowd, bumping hips with anyone who stands in her way.

A pair of arms wraps themselves around me from behind, and a familiar spiced cologne takes over my senses.

“I’ll give you a hint who this is,” a deep voice strums in my ear. “It’s not your brother.”

“You’re hilarious,” I say, turning around and looking into Jasper Wilder’s eyes, the exact color of lightning in a bottle. “There’s a nasty rumor going around that I’m frigid.”

His brows narrow playfully. “For the sake of your honor, I’ll help you dispel them. Your side of the bed or mine?”

“I was thinking more along the lines of Chip Buckingham’s office.”

Jasper offers up a genuine frown, but he doesn’t say a word.

Most likely because he knows I won’t listen.

Sometimes not saying a word is the best form of communication of all.

The mysteries are piling up.

Here’s hoping Chip himself will end a few of those for us, by way of a paper trail.

And hopefully, the mystery of the unnamed mistress will end tonight.

Chapter 15

Jasper Wilder’s detective skills are bar none when it comes to hunting down Chip Buckingham’s office.

The Village Kitchen not only owns the spacious eatery, but it owns the entire building. Chip’s office is on the second floor and overlooks