Page 48 of Fall Into Temptation
Match not approved by the Beautification Committee.
“Again, Ellery. Why don’t you talk to a deputy? Please.” He would beg if it got Eva naked underneath him.
“I tried! Colby said it wasn’t an emergency and that he’d ‘stop by sometime today’ if he had time! In the meantime, I can’t remove the evidence from my lawn and the wedding invitations already went out. They’re making everyone choose between me and them, and I’m not going to let them ruin my wedding day!”
“When are you getting married?” Eva cut in, slipping off Donovan’s lap.
Ellery pointed to the stack of mail on Eva’s table to a black envelope with silver ink. “You didn’t even open it yet? I worked so hard on my calligraphy!”
Eva dove for the envelope. “I’m sorry. There was this crisis and then—”
Ellery’s trembling lip cut Eva off.
“I’m opening! Here we go! Oh, what a beautiful invitation,” she said, showing off the silver cobweb design to Donovan. “It says here your big day is… Oh. Boy.”
Donovan took the card from her. “Halloween.” He swiped a hand over his face.
“What?” Ellery demanded. “It’s only my favorite day of the year.”
“It’s also in the middle of some planetary shitstorm,” Donovan reminded her.
Ellery’s lip trembled. “I’m not letting you or some dumb planet or anyone else in this town rain on my parade!”
Eva jumped in to soothe. “We’re not going to let anyone rain on your parade or ruin your day,” she promised, sending Donovan a hard look. “It’s going to be the best day of your life.”
“We have to make sure Bruce Oakleigh and the rest of the Beautification Committee don’t interfere with my wedding,” Ellery announced.
“How do you propose we do that?” Donovan asked. From the look on his face, Eva could tell he was dreading the answer.
Ellery smiled. “I’m glad you asked.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“Why are you waving a piece of paper in my face like you’re a matador? Do I look like a bull to you?” Gia snatched the paper out of Eva’s grasp.
“I need a favor,” Eva said, wrinkling her nose in anticipation of a big, fat no. “Donovan needs you. Blue Moon needs you.”
Gia scanned the text. “This is an application to join the Beautification Committee.”
“Surprise!” Eva spread her arms wide. “Our assignment is to go undercover and keep them under control until this apocalypse deal gets straightened out and Ellery is reinstated. Fun, right?”
Gia hugged the application to her chest. “You don’t understand. I have beendyingto join the B.C.! I mean what could bring greater joy than pairing up true loves?”
“Have you ever thought about writing romance novels?” Eva asked.
Gia skipped over to the desk in the kitchen and grabbed a pen. “I’m filling this out right now! Oh, my God. What if they don’t want me? Do you think Beckett could use his influence?”
Eva rolled her eyes at her sister. “You’re the first lady of Blue Moon, and you’ve had stars in your eyes since the B.C. shoved you at Beckett. I think you’re a shoe-in.”
“This is the most exciting thing that’s happened since Lydia was born,” Gia said, cooing at her daughter in her highchair.
Lydia, bald and beautiful, banged her spoon happily on the tray.
“Hey! Didn’t finding out your sister is an excellent romance novelist rate up there?” Eva reminded her.
“That is a close third,” Gia promised. “Okay. Let’s see what they want from us. ‘Do you believe in happily ever after?’ Yes,” she said, as she resoundingly checked the box. “‘How opposed are you to involving yourself in the business of others? Definitely, slightly, or love is everyone’s business?’”
Eva snorted.
