Charlotte stands up, dabbing at her eyes with the monogrammed napkin. “I should go meet her. Text me the schedule, okay? I just need a hug from my best friend more than anything.”
“We’ll start this afternoon!” Macy calls after her as Charlotte hurries toward the door.
“Can’t wait!” Charlotte chirps back, sounding almost human again.
I turn back to my co-conspirators, my suspicion meter rising like a hot air balloon at the county fair. “What exactly is this afternoon’s kickoff event?”
Macy and Camila whisper to each other as if they’re planning a covert operation, then grin at me with matching expressions of barely contained glee.
“Champagne and Complaints gossip circle,” Camila announces with pride as if she’s just invented the wheel. And she might have—the gossip wheel.
“With traveling nail techs doing pedicures while we dish about everyone we hate,” Macy adds with a satisfied smirk. “It’s like therapy, but with better alcohol and prettier feet.”
They rush off to gather supplies like overly caffeinated cruise directors, leaving me standing in the café wondering how my quiet inn turned into a wedding command center.
“Bizzy, honey, there you are!” Mom’s voice echoes through the café as she swoops in wearing giant neon green earrings that could guide the mothership home. She scoops up Ella from her stroller, and my daughter immediately starts babbling and tugging on Mom’s plastic baubles with her chubby fingers.
Ella shines like a princess in my mother’s arms with her dark wavy hair that’s finally growing in properly, light gray eyes just like Jasper’s, and enough dimples to start a trend. She’s also discovered the joy of squealing at maximum volume, which she demonstrates with enthusiasm every chance she gets. And I love every single happy sound.
“I heard something about a bridal rescue mission!” Georgie appears behind Mom, draped in a watermelon-print kaftan and white sunglasses the size of salad plates. “I’m in. What’s the plan?”
Mom adjusts Ella on her hip, bouncing her gently to stop the squealing but to no avail. “Is it time to kick this investigation into gear?”
I nod, narrowing my eyes toward the patio where Charlotte and Kiki are now embracing like long-lost relatives at a family reunion.
“Yes,” I say. “And we’re starting with our first suspect.”
I lock eyes with the brunette through the window, watching as she and Charlotte settle into chairs with their heads bent together in what looks like a serious conversation about something that definitely involves opinions.
In fact, I’m formulating a few of my own.
Kiki Parker, we’re coming for you.
CHAPTER 5
It’s less than a few hours later and the inn’s main lawn has been transformed into what can only be described as a cross between a high-end spa and a sorority house during rush week.
White fluffy robes flutter in the ocean breeze, champagne bubbles catch the afternoon sunlight, and the scent of summer jasmine mingles with coconut-scented nail polish and fresh-cut grass. Twenty women lounge on cushioned chairs under flowing curtains and large umbrellas, while nail techs work their magic at portable stations scattered across the grass.
“Ladies!” Charlotte stands up with her champagne flute raised high, still looking slightly puffy around the eyes but significantly more human than this morning. “I want to thank my amazing mother for flying in from Boston to support me through this crazy season of my life.”
She gestures toward the silver-haired woman I recognize from last night’s argument with Tessa, and the woman offers a stiff smile to the crowd.
Aha. So that’s the mysterious mother figure I saw. And shedefinitely had words with our deceased wedding planner before her untimely demise.
“And I’d like to thank my bestie since college, Kiki Parker, who dropped everything to be here for me,” Charlotte continues, pointing to the brunette who waves enthusiastically from her chair.
I nod over at the woman who slapped Tessa silly just before I found the poor woman’s body. Perfect. Two suspects, one gossip circle. This should prove fruitful.
“Today is about sisterhood, secrets, and sharing our truth!” Charlotte declares, and the crowd of women cheers as if she just announced free designer handbags for everyone.
Truth? Oh honey, you have no idea how much truth I’m about to uncover.I toast her with my glass as if I’ve said those words out loud. Or at least I hope I’m about to uncover the truth. Or at least a coupon to help pay for all of these nail techs and mimosas. The vendors keep billing the inn, but Jasper assured me that Charlotte’s mother would be covering all the fees in one fell swoop by the time the wedding was through. Here’s hoping I can float the bill until then.
Since Ella was fed and is due for her afternoon nap, Gwyneth and my father are babysitting at my cottage, which means I can focus entirely on this investigation without worrying about my daughter’s next shrieking performance. Even though I secretly think they’re adorable—not so much at three in the morning, but still pretty cute even then. She has both Jasper and me wrapped around her little finger, and what a cute little finger it is. And don’t get me started on her tiny little toes. I’ve already done five sets of handprint and footprint impressions with her. It’s safe to say I’m obsessed with every sweet inch of my baby girl.
The hoomans are gathering in a circle to share secrets,Fish mewls while padding across the grass with her nose twitching.This is either going to be fascinating or terrifying.
My money is on both,Sherlock gives a soft woof, sniffingaround the appetizer table with a hopeful gleam in his big brown eyes.
