Cupcake Explosion

by Bethany Lopez

  Cupcake Explosion

  Copyright 2018 Bethany Lopez

  Published May 2018

  Cover Design by:

  Makeready Designs

  Editing by:

  Red Road Editing / Kristina Circelli

  Proofreading by:

  KMS Freelance Editing

  Interior Design & Formatting by:

  Christine Borgford, Type A Formatting

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this ebook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. All rights reserved.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please don’t participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This ebook is also available in print at most online retailers.

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  Young Adult:

  STORIES ABOUT MELISSA—SERIES

  Ta Ta for Now!

  xoxoxo

  Ciao

  TTYL

  With Love

  Adios

  Nissa: a contemporary fairy tale

  New Adult:

  FRIENDS & LOVERS TRILOGY

  Make it Last

  I Choose You

  Trust in Me

  Indelible

  Contemporary Romance:

  A TIME FOR LOVE SERIES

  Prequel—1 Night

  8 Weeks

  21 Days

  42 Hours

  15 Minutes

  10 Years

  3 Seconds

  7 Months

  Novella—For Eternity

  THE LEWIS COUSINS SERIES

  Too Tempting

  Too Complicated

  Too Distracting

  Too Enchanting

  THREE SISTERS CATERING

  A Pinch of Salt

  A Touch of Cinnamon

  Romantic Comedy/Suspense:

  CUPCAKES SERIES

  Always Room for Cupcakes

  Cupcake Overload

  Lei’d with Cupcakes

  Cupcake Explosion

  Women’s Fiction:

  More than Exist

  Short Stories:

  CONTEMPORARY

  Christmas Come Early

  Harem Night

  FANTASY

  Leap of Faith

  Beau and the Beastess

  Cookbook:

  Love & Recipes

  Love & Cupcakes

  Children’s:

  Katie and the North Star

  Contents

  CUPCAKE EXPLOSION

  Also by Bethany Lopez

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Epilogue

  Enjoy an Excerpt from Too Tempting, The Lewis Cousins Book 1

  About the Author

  FOR THE FIRST time in a long time, life is good. I've got a smokin' hot motorcycle man as my fiancé, the best friends a woman could have, a couple of great kids, and things have been relatively quiet on the PI front.

  You know what that means . . . the other shoe was bound to drop sooner or later.

  I’ve been around long enough to know something bad usually happens when you least expect it. Blindsiding you and turning your life upside down.

  And, of course, after a few months of calm, that’s what happened . . .

  Just when I was ready to settle down and plan the coolest wedding Greenswood has ever seen, the shit hit the fan, and hit it hard.

  My friends are fighting, because Amy May caught Bea and Carmen at my new friend Cynthia’s place, Cynthia’s Coffee and Books, eating pastries. Amy May thinks of it as a betrayal, while Bea and Carmen swear they just stopped to shop for books. Now I’m stuck in the middle.

  Cade's been out of town doing God knows what for the club, not giving me input on the wedding at all. But, I guess I should have figured that, he is Cade after all, the man who said he didn’t do white picket fences.

  And, my sweet little twins are turning into hair-pulling pre-teens with more drama than my old daytime soaps.

  I feel like I'm being pulled in a million directions, and I've been going so crazy that Elin's swear jar is near to overflowing. I've been eating cupcakes like a woman possessed, and if I'm not careful, there's going to be a Cupcake Explosion . . . in my pants.

  “YOU’RE SO ANNOYING. Why can’t you just leave me and Cassidy alone and go play with your stupid video games?”

  What the hell? Was that really my sweet little Lena, talking to her twin brother like a jerk?

  “Elena, I don’t want to hear you talking to Elin like that, you understand?” I asked as I turned the corner into her room.

  And I kid you not, the little she-devil rolled her eyes at me.

  When did my little sidekick turn into a preteen nightmare?

  “Elin, go to your room and leave the girls alone please,” I asked my son, ruffling his hair as he walked by me.

  “I didn’t want to hang out with a couple of stupid girls anyway,” Elin grumbled.

  “Hey, language,” I said, shocked to hear him talk that way. “And, it looks like you’re the one who owes money to the swear jar this time.”

  Elin sighed and walked out of the room.

  I turned back to my darling daughter, who was sitting on her bed with my best friend, Amy May’s daughter, Cassidy. She’d been Lena’s best friend almost since birth. Cassidy was looking worriedly at me, but Lena had a who gives a fuck look that I knew well.

  It was like looking in the mirror.

  “Lena,” I said, fighting for calm. “Don’t talk to your brother that way, or look at me like that. I have no problem taking Cassidy home and letting you spend out the remainder of the weekend staring at that wall.”

  I could tell she really wan
ted to pull a face, or maybe roll her eyes again, but she managed to get her shit together and say, “I’m sorry.”

  I nodded, then turned and got out of there as fast as I could.

  Lord save me from budding teenagers.

  I’d thought dealing with Elin and his hormones was going to be what pushed me over the edge, but, nope, it was going to be Lena’s newly found attitude that was sure to give me gray hair way too early.

  I walked through the house, CB following at my feet as always, and decided a cupcake break was just what the doctor ordered.

  I opened the fridge, pulled out the box of cupcakes Amy May had dropped off with Cassidy, and took out custard filled with chocolate icing, which was a current favorite.

  My mouth was full of custard when my phone rang.

  “Ha . . . bo,” was my greeting when I answered.

  “May I speak to Delilah Horton?”

  “Mmnhmmm.”

  “Is this Delilah Horton?” the woman on the other end asked again.

  I swallowed and replied, “Yup, you got her.”

  “Of Horton Investigations.”

  “Yes,” I said, beginning to get annoyed.

  I’d started off as an investigative photographer, after the picture I’d snapped of my ex with his face full of snatch had made its way around town. And, yes, it made its way around because I’d taped it up all over town.

  Anywho, I’d started working for Moose, who was a private investigator. Unfortunately, during a crazy case with a Mexican drug cartel, Moose had been killed, and, to my surprise, had left all of his worldly goods to me.

  His PI firm, his house, everything.

  My fiancé, Cade, and I . . . Man, I get a buzz every time I realize Cade’s my fiancé . . . I digress. Cade and I had totally flipped the house and made it something that the kids and I were proud to call our own.

  I felt awful about the way Moose died, and the fact that I was the closest person to him in his life, but I would be forever grateful to him for everything he’d given me. He’d taken on a bitter, divorced, single mother, and given me a purpose. A job I enjoyed and was actually good at.

  “Are you listening to me? Hello . . .”

  Oops. I stopped woolgathering and replied, “Sorry, can you repeat that.”

  There was a sigh on the other end.

  “My daughter is missing. The police say that because she is eighteen, they can’t do anything. But, she’s a senior in high school and hasn’t been home all week. They keep trying to tell me that she ran away, but I know my Misty, and she wouldn’t do that. I’d like to hire you to find her.”

  I walked to my office and grabbed a pen.

  “Tell me everything,” I said, then started writing as the distraught mother on the other end gave me her daughter’s description, names of her friends, and the last place she’d seen her. “Okay, ma’am, I’ll get right on it and let you know when I find her.”

  “Thank you.”

  I shoved the rest of the cupcake in my mouth, then sat down at the computer to do a little research, figuring it was best to start by looking at Misty’s social media.

  My phone pinged again, this time signaling a text.

  I’ll be a little late, want me to pick up grub?

  I smiled at the picture I had saved as Cade’s contact photo. It was from our trip to Hawaii, and he’s wearing only board shorts. His long hair is falling around his shoulders, his body is tan, and he’s built like a badass.

  Sounds good. I just caught a case, so I’ll probably be out late, too.

  Anything I should know about?

  I rolled my eyes.

  Cade expected me to get into trouble every time I started a case, but that really only happened a couple times. Sure, the times that it did happen, I’d stumbled across some pretty scary dudes, but I was positive that wouldn’t be the case with this missing person.

  At least, that’s what I’d tell Cade.

  Nope, just a runaway. Easy peasy.

  All right. Let me know if that changes. Later

  My fiancé wasn’t the hearts and flowers type, but I was content with him feeding me and constantly giving me the D the way I liked it. We were pretty much a perfect match.

  I’D PARKED IN a coveted spot along Main Street, and was walking, intent on Clarice’s Nail Salon, where a couple of Misty’s friends had posted they were getting pedis, when I looked up and saw the sign for Cynthia’s Coffee and Books.

  Hmmm, maybe I need a coffee, I thought. And, it didn’t hurt that Clarice served up larger-than-life cupcakes. Shhhh, don’t tell Amy May.

  I opened the door and recognized the voice of my bestie screeching.

  My first instinct was to shut the door and run, but I looked toward the commotion and saw Amy May standing, hands on her hips, and yelling at our other two friends, Bea and Carmen. They were sitting on one of the plush couches looking up at Amy May with guilty expressions.

  Uh-oh, I thought, mentally pulling on my big girl panties and walking over there.

  I waved at Cynthia, who was eyeing my friends with a worried look, and gave her a reassuring smile.

  “Amy May, what’s going on? Why are you screaming in the middle of the book store?” I asked softly, keeping my tone light so as not to fuel her flame.

  She turned to me, eyes narrowed, and I knew it was too late. That flame was stoked.

  “Can you believe this?” Amy May seethed, throwing her hand out toward Bea and Carmen. “I was walking by, minding my own business, when I look in the window to see these two Benedicts sitting in here eating her cupcakes.”

  “Do you mean like, Eggs Benedict, or Benedict Arnold, cause the second one makes a bit more sense,” I asked, hoping to distract her and get her to calm down.

  It didn’t work.

  “Don’t get cute with me, Lila, you know very well I’m talking about the traitor . . .”

  “Hey,” Bea said, standing up and crossing her arms over her chest. She was still in her police uniform, obviously having just gotten off work. “Carmen and I met here to look at books, and since they happen to serve coffee and pastries, we decided to treat ourselves. There’s nothing wrong with that, Amy May. It’s not like we’re boycotting your bakery in favor of Cynthia’s, it just happened.”

  I looked at the table, and sure enough, there was a stack of historical romances, Bea’s favorite, and in front of Carmen, there were self-improvement books.

  “See, it’s not a big deal,” I started, but Amy May wasn’t having it; instead, she turned on me.

  “And, what are you doing here? You stepping out on me, too?” she asked, her eyes beginning to fill.

  Oh no, she is going from pissed to hurt, real quick.

  “No, Amy May, come on . . . You know we all love you and your baked goods to pieces. I was coming in to grab coffee, because I work tonight, and because Cynthia is my friend. I wanted to say hi. Bea and Carmen have already said they came in to shop for books . . . No one is stepping out on you.”

  “Whatever,” Amy May said, wiping angrily at her cheeks. “Enjoy your books,” she told Bea and Carmen, then looked at me and said, “And, enjoy your new friend.”

  I watched, mouth hanging open as she stormed out of the shop.

  “What the hell was that?” I asked, swinging my head back to Bea and Carmen.

  Carmen looked shocked.

  “I don’t know. One minute we were talking about Bea and Shannon trying for adoption, and the next Amy May was towering over us letting it all out. I have no idea what happened, but I’ve never seen her so mad.”

  “There must be something else going on,” Bea guessed. “Because she’s never blown up like that before. And, there’s no way she was just walking by, I think she saw us come in and came down to bust us.”

  “Hmmm, I’ll have to check in with her and see what’s up,” I said, just as Cynthia came over.

  “Everything okay?” she asked, her voice serene.

  Cynthia was pure hippie with a side of gypsy. Totally
cool with her long curly hair and flowing skirts. She had so many bracelets on her wrist, they jangled with every movement, and she had the coolest bookstore I’d ever seen.

  “Yeah, sorry about that, our friend Amy May was a little upset,” I replied, then I gestured to the couch. “Have you met my friends, Bea and Carmen? Guys, this is Cynthia, the owner of this rad shop.”

  “Nice to meet you, Officer,” Cynthia said to Bea, then to Carmen, “And you’re the journalist, right? I believe you did a piece on the shop after we opened. Thanks for that.”

  “It was my pleasure,” Carmen said with a delighted smile.

  “Nice to meet you too, you have great coffee,” Bea added.

  “Well, I just wanted to check and make sure everything was all right. I hope your friend’s okay.”

  “Thanks, Cynthia, she’ll be fine,” I assured her. “I’ll be over in a minute to grab a coffee.”

  “Sure, I’ll get that started for you. Remember, don’t even think about trying to pay. Your money’s no good here.”

  I smiled gratefully at her. A while back I’d caught a thief who’d been terrorizing her shop, which had earned me free coffee for life.

  “Do you think I should go talk to Amy May?” Carmen asked, worrying her lower lip.

  I shook my head.

  “Give her some time to cool off. Amy May can be hotheaded, but she’s usually quick to come to her senses and listen to reason. Don’t get worked up about it, she’ll be okay.”

  Carmen tended to take things to heart and stress over them, and I hated to think of the anxiety she’d have, worrying about Amy May being upset with her.

  “Okay, I’m gonna grab a cup and get to work, got a runaway to find,” I said, then added, “And, I think we’re due for a Ladies Night. We’ll have to get one on the books.”

  “Need any help with your runaway?” Bea asked.

  “Not yet, but I’ll let you know,” I said.

  “Oh, let me know too, you know I love to help you investigate,” Carmen added, her tone conveying her excitement.

  I chuckled and said, “I will, promise,” then went off in search of free coffee.

  And, a cupcake.

  “CLARICE, HOW’S THE world of beauty?” I asked as I walked into her salon.