Page 16 of The Cupcake Standard

That sounds really good. My gaze lingered on his oh so kissable lips, drifting down to the firm chest I’d snuggled against for the last hour. Too good. Longing filled me, but I had to remember that he was off the table, for both our sakes. We were just friends. Although, friends could sit and watch movies, right? “Sure.”

“What kind of movie are you in the mood for?” he asked before offering me several beverage choices.

“Something funny.”

“Stupid funny or rom-com funny?” He handed me my Gatorade, our fingers brushing.

My stomach flipped. I waved my other hand, trying to act casual, like I wasn’t close to drooling over this sweet guy taking care of me. “Whatever.”

His gaze drifted down to my yoga pants. “I’m jealous.”

My eyes lingered on his lips as he formed the words, my breath catching as I realized I was the focus of his undivided attention. “Of what?”

“You look really comfy.” One side of his mouth tilted up. “I think I’ll go change.” He disappeared down the hall.

I leaned against the back of the couch, feeling unsteady. It was definitely the aftereffects of the food poisoning, not Derek’s brief touch. I wandered over to the small set of shelves near the TV. There was an autographed football, Derek’s high school diploma, a class photo, along with several other framed photographs, but one picture in particular drew me.

Derek was smiling his megawatt smile, his arm around a girl I assumed to be Rhonda, based on how similar they looked. She was the same one who wore a twenty-one tiara in the birthday picture, but in this photo, her smile was just as brilliant as Derek’s. A Ferris wheel lit up the background.

“That’s my favorite picture of me and Rhonda. Liam took it.” Derek came to stand behind me, peering over my shoulder. “We were all at the fair for a concert, and I told her some joke, just to get her to smile.”

I tilted my head back, catching a glimpse of wistfulness on his face. As much as he said he couldn’t stand his sister, there was a time when they used to hang out. This picture was proof. Maybe there was hope for them yet.

My phone dinged, and I pulled it out to see a text from Gina, asking how I was doing. I glanced at Derek. “I need to check in with Gina. Give me a sec?”

He nodded.

I headed to my room. Normally I’d call her and not think twice about it, but I was still annoyed. I sent her a text back instead. “He’s got a nice place. We just finished watching football, going to watch a movie now.”

“Good. Feeling okay?”

My lips tilted up in an amused smile. “Gina, quit hovering. I’m fine. And no, you’re not off the hook yet.”

She sent back a pouting gif. “Girl, I’m just glad you’re feeling good enough to be mad at me. I’ll make it up to you soon.”

“You better.” I had a full smile on my face as I reappeared into the living room.

“Ready for that movie?” Derek pushed off the island when I nodded.

We made our way to the couch. I nearly tripped when I realized Derek had changed into flimsy gray sweatpants, low on his hips. I’d definitely have to watch my drooling tonight.

It took a few minutes to look through his extensive movie collection, but we finally settled on Robin Hood: Men in Tights, a comedic movie with rom-com overtones. I stretched out on one end of the couch, and he claimed the other, propping his bare feet on the coffee table. As the movie moved along, my energy flagged. I oozed farther and farther down the arm of the couch until I lay flat on the cushion. He tossed me a pillow for my head, pulling my feet onto his lap. Then he covered me with a blanket.

Chapter Four

I woke up in the morning in my bed with no memory of getting there. Had Derek carried me? At nearly six foot, that was no small feat. I was sorry I’d missed it. As I went to the bathroom and stumbled around getting ready, my eye caught on the gold dress from the day before. One question stood out. Who is this Princess that he’d pledged his love to? He was obviously still hung up on her, the way he’d stomped off at just the mention of her name. And what does she have that I don’t? That thought startled me, and I shook my head. I must have been half asleep still, because I definitely didn’t care.

Groggily, I made my way into the kitchen to find Derek pouring coffee, shirtless. A towel looped over his neck, his black hair damp and tousled. I decided right then and there this was forevermore a shirtless apartment. He definitely worked out. Those sculpted shoulders, chiseled chest and amazing abs did not just happen with wishful thinking.

He had a laptop next to him which he closed with a grin when he saw me. “Morning.”

I was too busy staring to answer.

“Coffee?”

Nodding, I slid onto a barstool.

A mug appeared in my hand. A container of French vanilla creamer next to it.

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