Baby Bundt Cake Confusion (Murder in the Mix Book 31) by Unknown (best way to read books .TXT) 📕

“Some nut job named Slater. He’s a good friend of theirs.” She shrugs. “I might take him home. I haven’t decided yet. Check out the menus.” She nods our way. “Figure out what’s for dinner, and I’ll be back.”

“We’ll take the feast!” Carlotta shouts. “We want the works.” She gives me a pat and slightly dislodges the tiara sitting on my head that I forgot all about. “Our little princess here is about to pop out a little squirt. It’s her last night of freedom before she’s thrown in baby jail and locked up for eighteen long years.”

A hard groan comes from the blonde. “Enjoy it while you can, sister. Once you’ve got one hanging from the girls, you’ll long for the simple things like showers that last more than three minutes and a good time in the back of a Cadillac.” A dreamy look crosses her face. “Good times indeed.” She takes off and I lean toward Noah and Everett.

“Did you hear that? Slater is good friends with these wise guys. I guess he likes to run with the bad boys.”

Carlotta leans in. “Sort of like you, Lot.”

I shoot her a look.

Noah lifts a finger. “Stassi mentioned that his money was drying up from the record label he started. He might be looking for a new gig right here in Scooter Springs with those good buddies of his.”

Everett doesn’t say anything. He’s got this far-off look in his eyes as he stares at the bar, and I can tell his wheels are turning.

“I think we should head up,” he says.

“We will.” I nod. “But after I’ve inhaled whatever that feast entails.”

The waitress comes back with an army of her kind, at least fifteen strong, and each server lands a heaping platter of Italian goodness in front of us. The chipper blonde gives a quick intro to our meal. We’ve got vitello tonnato—roasted veal with a fishy mayo sauce—Frutti di mare—linguini with every tiny crustacean known to the deep sea—a luscious looking lasagna, cheese filled tortellini with besciamella sauce, and seafood risotto.

Carlotta shouts grace and we don’t waste any time in chowing down, and I’ll admit, hearing Everett grunt and moan his way through his meal is making me hungry on a whole new level.

And once we finish up, Keelie, my sisters, and Carlotta whisk me to the dance floor.

“Wait,” I call out as Noah and Everett speed toward the bar. “I can’t miss out.” I try craning my neck in their direction, but a sea of screaming women, and the men howling after them, blocks my view.

“Loosen up, Lot,” Meg shouts in her black lace top and black leather mini skirt as she tosses her arms over her head and swings her hips to the music. “This might be the last time we share a dance floor until we’re bopping around at Junior’s wedding.”

A dull laugh pumps from me. “I’m sure I’ll escape the house a time or two before then.”

“Not really,” Lainey says. “Not without feeling an intense amount of regret.” Tears spout from her eyes as she starts in on a horrific wail. “What am I doing here? I miss Josie. My boobs miss Josie. They’re hard as bowling balls and they’re starting to leak.”

Keelie leans in, and for a second I think she’s going to set my sister straight, but she, too, starts in on a tear-filled wail.

“I miss baby Bear.” Keelie tips her head back and roars with grief. “I never want to leave the house again!”

The two of them clutch onto one another, and soon they’re wailing in unison.

Keelie sniffs hard. “Let’s go to the bathroom and pump.”

“And what?” I shake my head at my bestie. “The music is so loud I thought you said pump.”

“That’s right,” Lainey says as she pulls Keelie along. “And we’re going to do a little FaceTime with the kiddos while we’re at it.”

“Wait!” I call out after them. “What are you pumping?”

“Their boobs,” Meg shouts with a note of irritation. “Even I know that.”

“That’s right, Lot.” Carlotta’s voice hikes over the music and the laughter. “That’s whatcha got to look forward to. Stealing a little alone time in public restrooms while you get to second base with yourself.”

Meg snorts. “And to think you once had two hot men who could handle the situation for you. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.”

“I still have two hot men,” I say as I spot Noah and Everett having what looks to be a heated debate by the bar. They’re close to Slater but seem too distracted to care. “Hold down the fort, girls,” I say. “I’ve got a whole gaggle of men I need to deal with.”

Carlotta swings her hip to mine and sets off an unwanted contraction. “That’s my Lot Lot. Going out with a bang. Bring a few boys back for us, too, would you?”

I take off as Meg and Carlotta gyrate their limbs with the best of them.

Dom and Enzo are seated on either side of who I can only guess is Manny. And to Dom’s left is Slater, who just so happens to be regaling them with a story at the moment.

Dom spots me and does a double take, and I don’t bother waiting for Noah and Everett, who seem to be lost in their own world, before heading over.

“Well, look who’s here?” Dom Canelli stands and nods my way as the other three men turn to look at me. The three Italian Stallions all have dark hair and chiseled features. Dom has glowing hazel eyes, while Enzo’s are pale as an afternoon sky. And Manny has dark bruised-looking eyes, pouty lips, and a general air of darkness about him—handsome in a dangerous way. And there’s Slater, who looks dressed to kill this evening in a suit and tie with his facial hair trimmed into a neat goatee just like it was that first night.

“Loretta Limon,” Dom says as he breaks into an easy smile.

“Lottie Lemon.” I give a quick