Page 74 of Cocky Brutal Sinner

And for Maura, is it cliché if we do an art-themed shower?

Maura

Not at all!

Pippa

Great, because I already found these great little paint palette cookies on Pinterest.

Cat

Oooo can we do a station where we crush stones to make pigments like Maura? I’ve always wanted to smash rocks with a hammer like you do.

Maura

Absolutely. Brinley has been my unofficial stone-smashing assistant for years, so I’m volunteering her to run the smashing station.

I can’t help but smile at that. I’ve been a champion of Maura’s painting since I met her, and it’s an honor to be even in the footnotes of her work.

Not that it will matter much to her when she finds out I’m Peppermint.

I force myself to type a lighthearted reply instead.

Brinley

I’d be honored. Can I pretend to smash your Greek porphyry and make James have a coronary?

Maura

Sorry, but no. He might actually have a literal coronary.

Brinley

Fair enough.

Pippa

I think we need to have a sip and paint, maybe with little bottles? Is that too crazy? And a canvas where people can paint little pictures or messages for the baby!

Maura

As much as I love your ideas, how are you going to plan two giant parties on your own, Pippa?

Pippa

I’ll figure it out. Nothing a few sleepless nights can’t fix.

Suddenly, an idea hits me, and I feel stupid for not coming up with it earlier.

Brinley

Just an idea, what if you hired Eden? She’s an event planner—this is literally what she does, and she’s looking for work in Toronto.

Pippa

YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!

I’m DMing her RIGHT NOW. If she can make it so I don’t have to look at a single spreadsheet, I’ll be over the moon.