Page 6 of Twice Baked Risky Whiskey Cakes

Glinda belts out a good-natured laugh—and thankfully so.

“Actually no, I never married,” she tells us. “I’m retired now, but I used to be a chemistry professor at Vermont State. These days the only chemistry I dabble in concerns a mixologist.”

We all share a little laugh.

“Well, they have quite the bar here tonight.” Noah is quick to point to the bar in question.

Glinda nods. “I hear they’re serving the very best whiskey.”

“Whiskey?” Carlotta perks up. “Now you’re speaking my language, sis.”

I can’t help but notice how Eliza keeps glancing over Glinda’s shoulder at the handsome older gentleman holding court across the room. He’s tall, still broad-shouldered despite his years, with sharp features and a shock of white hair tinged with reddish gold.

Carlotta follows my gaze and groans hard once she spots him. She’s pretty good at spotting a handsome man in the wild no matter what his age bracket might be.

“Hubba-hubba.” Carlotta’s entire body convulses as she says it.

“Who’s that?” Everett asks while nodding in the man’s direction.

I’m glad he asked and not me. Not only would I have asked who he was, but I’d want to know why Eliza can’t seem to take her eyes off of him. Subtlety has never been my strong suit. Unlike Carlotta, Eliza isn’t one to ogle men, so I am curious why he’s catching her eye—and the ire etched on her face, too.

Glinda follows my gaze as well. “Oh, that’s Sebastian Gallagher. He’s something of a legend in the whiskey world. He just launched a new premium brand called Sebastian’s Secret Reserve. He claims it’s going to revolutionize craft spirits in Vermont—and the world. I’ll admit, he’s not hard to look at. Don’t you agree, Eliza?” She elbows her friend, but Eliza is too awestruck to speak. “Maybe we should say hello,” Glinda goes on. “I mean, he crafts whiskey and I was a chemist. I guess you could say I have more than a little professional curiosity.” She gives a slight laugh, but Eliza doesn’t play along.

In fact, Eliza grows so white I’m half-afraid she might faint.

She catches her breath as she turns our way. “If you’ll excuse me, I think I need some air.” She practically flees the scene,leaving behind a trail of expensive perfume—and Glinda follows in her wake.

Noah shoots a look to Everett. “What was that about?”

“I have no idea.” Everett frowns in the direction she took off in. “But something seems to have upset her. I’d better go track her down.”

“Yes, for sure, go,” I tell him. “We’ll be fine.” I give my belly a pat as if to prove my point.

Just as Everett disappears into the crowd after his mother, Venus Finnigan materializes before us with her vibrant blonde hair cascading over her shoulders in perfect waves. Next to her stands an elegant woman with matching blonde hair swept into a French twist. The family resemblance is unmistakable in their green eyes, high cheekbones, and creamy vanilla locks.

“Hello, you three,” Venus says to Carlotta, Noah, and me. “Lottie, you look absolutely radiant,” she gushes. “Pregnancy really does agree with you—timestwo.”

I laugh at the thought. “If byagrees with me, you mean it’s turned me into a waddling dessert vacuum, then yes.”

Venus laughs. “Let me introduce my mother. Everyone, this is Keegan Meryl.”

The older blonde extends a hand and quickly shakes with all three of us. “Lottie, my daughter has told me so much about your bakery. And by the way, those whiskey-glazed donuts are divine.” Her voice sounds cultured and refined, and she looks glorious in a ruby-red blouse dotted with red sequins. And in a sea of green, she shines like a bright red beacon.

“I’m so glad you’re enjoying the desserts,” I tell her. “Your daughter is quite the baker herself.”

It’s true. Venus owns a bakery called Cupid’s Sweet Concoctions, out in Hollyhock. Noah and I went to visit last month, and to call her establishment a mere bakery seems like an insult. If a bakery and a princess castle had a baby, Cupid’sSweet Concoctions would be the end result. It’s posh, pretty, and pricey as can be. But despite the dollars for donuts it demands, its success is in the stratosphere. And so is her chocolate cake.

Keegan nods my way. “Oh, I know all about my daughter’s desserts.” She pats her thigh. “And so do my hips.”

We all share a good-natured laugh.

Not to be left out of a good bodily pat-down—even if it is self-imposed—Carlotta does the same. Although her pat is more of an assault.

“My hips don’t mind Lot Lot’s sweet treats either.” She’s quick to bond with Keegan over their love of baked goods. “In fact, now that she’s filling those sweet treats with booze, I’m ready to pack up and move into the bakery full-time.”

Noah chuckles at the thought. “Everett will be glad to hear it.”

“Oh hush, you.” Carlotta is quick to wave him off. “Sexy loves our late-night hallway meet and greets. Half the time they’re in the nude.”

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