Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 62620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 313(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 313(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
I also tossed it on the floor last night in a fit of passion, and have plans to wear it again tonight, but I’m not going to tell her about that part. I’d love to chat with someone about last night, but I know how easily gossip can spread in this town. Mine and Christian’s best chance of keeping our steamy liaisons a secret from our families is keeping them a secret from everyone else while we’re at it.
“Well, thank you,” she says. “I recommend Mancini’s. They do a great job with larger items and always have a coupon code for a discount on their website.” She pulls in a breath and releases it through pursed lips. “Now, I need to ask you something important.”
“Okay.” I lean back against the counter, refreshed coffee in hand. “What’s on your mind?”
“Is there a chance, no matter how small, that Matty might be involved in something shady?”
“Shady,” I repeat. “Like what?”
“Like…connections to the mob type of shady?” she asks, hurrying on as my jaw drops. “I know, I’m probably crazy, but on my way home last night, I saw his SUV parked behind The Cupcake Factory. He was just sitting there, staring at the back door, like he was waiting for someone to come out and talk even though it was already closed for the night.”
I shake my head. “And?”
“The Cupcake Factory is a mob cover business,” Nora says, like she’s stating the sky is blue or Kyle is the most adorable pet turkey ever.
Like it’s something I should have already known and taken for granted.
“What?” I squeak. “Since when? I thought Cassie Ann Sweetwater owned that place. Isn’t she like…a gazillion years old?”
“She is,” Nora confirms. “And she has connections to the mob going back at least three generations. From what I’ve heard from Gram, Cassie’s taken things in a gentler direction since she came to power—they mostly traffic in stolen designer goods these days, not stolen people or drugs—but a mob boss is still a mob boss and not someone Matty should be getting involved with. Seeing him there, with a hat and glasses on even though it was nearly dark…it made my trouble senses tingle.”
“Huh.” I chew on that for a moment while I take a swallow of my coffee. “I honestly have no idea, but I could feel Christian out about it at work tomorrow. I know he’s been worried about Matty for various reasons, but I didn’t get the feeling it was about anything that serious. I thought Chris was just worried about him racing cars and planning to live in a van while he travels South America for a few years.”
Nora’s brow furrows. “He’s going to South America? For years?”
“Yeah, he’s leaving in a couple months I think, getting out of town before the winter weather hits.” I give her arm a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry. If I’d known Matty McGuire was the Matty you liked, I could have warned you. He’s a cutie and always seemed like a cool guy, but he’s probably not looking for anything serious or long term.”
Nora sighs. “Yeah, I figured. That’s my luck with men. And he didn’t seem happy when I pulled up beside him last night behind the bakery. He couldn’t get rid of me fast enough, in fact. I thought it was because he was worried about me interfering with his mob meeting but maybe he felt like I was getting clingy or something. He didn’t text me after the fair, either. Even though he said he would, so…”
I wince on her behalf. “I’m sorry, honey. I don’t know what’s wrong with the men around here. If I were a dude, I would be camped out in your front yard with flowers and hot caramel lattes every day, hoping you’d give me a chance to date you. You’re the total package.”
Her lips curve in a doubtful smile. “Yep, the whole package. I’m a twenty-nine-year-old woman who still lives with her grandmother, can barely drive without hitting some innocent, non-moving object, and who has a crippling fear of animals.”
“You’re also smoking hot, generous, fun, creative, and kind,” I say. “And guys like it when they’re better than you at something. Your future boyfriend can take pride in being the best driver in the relationship. It’ll make him feel better about the fact that you’re a wildly successful businesswoman and the most fashionable human in Minnesota, if not the world.”
Nora giggles behind the rim of her mug, swallowing her gulp of coffee before saying, “Thanks. You’re right. I do have plenty to offer. If Matty McGuire doesn’t see that, he’s not worth my time.” She shrugs. “And if he’s tangled up in the mob, that’s none of my business. I’ll stick to living my best life and buying cupcakes from Stone Bowl Bakery and hope he leaves town before he gets on the wrong side of Cassie Ann’s people.”