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“I CAN’T BELIEVE IT was Helen.” Zoe shook her head. It was the following day and they’d opened the café on time. Ed was busy making pastries in the kitchen.
“I know,” Lauren replied.
“Brrt!”
Annie strolled past the empty tables, as if checking everything was in place for their first customer.
“I’m just glad we found out who the killer was,” Zoe continued. “Although, I don’t think I’ll look at a hair dryer in the same way again.”
“Me either.”
After Helen had been taken into custody, Mitch had checked on Lauren, making sure she was okay. She wasn’t sure if he’d said something to his friend Chris, but Zoe had received a phone call from him, and had been in a good mood after their conversation.
“Our first customers.” Zoe bounced on her toes.
“Hi, guys.” Brooke and Jeff stood at the Please Wait to be Seated sign.
“Brrt.” Annie trotted over to them.
“Isn’t the salon open today?” Zoe asked.
Brooke flushed. “I don’t have any customers booked until later this morning, so I thought I’d play hooky and open a little later.”
“I guess I’m a bad influence on you.” Jeff gazed warmly at her before turning to Lauren and Zoe. “It was my idea.”
“Brrt.” Follow me. Annie led them to a four-seater near the counter.
Lauren watched the couple sit opposite each other and study the small menu.
“I wonder what’s going on there?” Zoe mused.
Annie jumped onto one of the chairs at their table.
“Whatever it is, Annie seems interested.” Lauren smiled.
“Let’s take their order.” Zoe zoomed over to the table. Lauren followed.
“We were just about to come over to the counter,” Brooke protested.
“No need.” Lauren pulled out her order pad from her apron pocket. “It’s quiet at the moment.”
“Did you hear that Helen was the killer?” Zoe asked.
“Yes.” Jeff nodded. “A detective told me this morning. Apparently, Helen confessed at the police station, with her lawyer present.”
“She seemed like such a nice woman,” Brooke murmured.
“She was,” Jeff told her. “I always thought Paula was lucky to have a friend like Helen, but I was wrong. Helen was unlucky to have Paula as a friend.”
All five of them were silent for a moment.
“Brrp,” Annie encouraged.
“I think she wants you to order,” Lauren said.
“Brrt.” Yes.
They both ordered large lattes, with a lavender cupcake each to go.
“I wonder if they’re dating,” Zoe murmured to Lauren as she placed the cupcakes into brown paper bags.
“Maybe,” Lauren answered, glancing up from the milk wand to see Brooke touch her hair as she gazed at Jeff.
“He certainly seems happy to be here with her.” Zoe watched Lauren wiggle the milk jug until a peacock bloomed on the surface of the first latte.
“Mm hm.” Lauren made a second peacock.
“I’m going to find out.” Zoe grabbed the paper bags and hurried over to the table.
Lauren’s eyes widened as she realized what her cousin was up to.
Carrying the lattes on a tray, she reached the table just as she heard Zoe say:
“You two make a cute couple.”
Brooke blushed, and Jeff’s ears turned pink.
“Here are your lattes.” Lauren placed them on the table and gave Zoe a warning look. Which Zoe ignored.
“How long have you been dating?”
Brooke and Jeff looked at each other, as if wondering if the other would speak.
“Not long,” Brooke finally said.
“The first time we met was when I delivered flowers to her at the salon. You two were there.”
Zoe nodded.
“We’re just getting to know each other.” Brooke smiled at Jeff.
“Then we’ll leave you to it.” Lauren picked up the tray.
“Wait!” Jeff pulled out his phone. “Can you take a photo of us? I can’t take a good selfie.”
Brooke stared at him. “Me either,” she confessed.
They both laughed.
“I’d be happy to.” Lauren took the phone and stepped back a few paces. “Lean forward so I can get you both in.”
Brooke and Jeff inched forward off their chairs so they were leaning across the table, their heads almost touching. Annie stayed where she was, in the seat between them.
“Smile!” Zoe called out, standing off to the side.
Just as Lauren pressed the button ...
“Brrt!” Annie jumped from the chair onto the table, her head between Brooke’s and Jeff’s.
Click!
Lauren stifled a giggle as she looked at the cat standing on the table. Annie seemed very pleased with herself.
“Let me see.” Zoe peered over Lauren’s shoulder at the photo. “Oh, that’s so cute!”
“Do you want me to take another one?” Lauren handed Jeff the phone.
A grin hovered on his lips. “No, it’s good.” He gave the phone to Brooke.
“Oh, Annie, I didn’t know you were a photobomber.” She laughed and showed Annie the image.
“Brrt.” Annie inclined her head slightly.
“I think it’s perfect,” Brooke said.
Lauren and Zoe headed back to the counter.
“I think we should give them some privacy,” Lauren whispered.
“Good idea,” Zoe whispered back. “Hey.” Her eyes widened. “Jeff didn’t have that how did this happen look on his face just now when you took the photo, like he did in his wedding picture at Paula’s house.”
“No, he didn’t.”
Annie jumped off the table and strolled over to the counter, looking up at Lauren and Zoe.
“I think Annie’s given Brooke and Jeff her seal of approval, haven’t you?” Zoe winked at the silver-gray tabby.
“Don’t you mean her photo of approval?” Lauren smiled at Annie.
“Brrt!”
THE END
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