Page 18 of The Cupcake Standard

Quickly, I did my work, making sure no big assignments loomed. I meandered into the living room just in time to hear a knock on the door. Derek was nowhere to be seen, and it was technically my apartment, too, so I opened it up. Only for a whirlwind of women to waltz in.

“Is that her?” a well-dressed lady sneered.

Yolanda lowered designer shades to peer down her nose at me. “That’s her all right.”

Our run-in from the hospital still fresh in my mind, I met her gaze with my chin high and shoulders square. I wouldn’t be the one at a disadvantage this time. She was on my turf now.

The first one pinched the bridge of her delicate nose. “I didn’t want to believe Kevin. Derek. Where’s Derek?” Her voice rose to a shriek as the other girl and Yolanda patted her shoulder.

I shut the door, stepping forward. “Rhonda, I presume?” I looked to the unknown on her right. “And Fawnda. The Three Musketeers. Listen, Derek’s a little tied up this morning. Why don’t the four of us go get some lunch? My treat?” I shot them a simpering closed-mouthed smile. “Let me just go change.”

As soon as I turned the corner, I ran to Derek’s room, barely knocking before I burst in. The running water registered several seconds too late. Oh. He must have been damp from working out, not from showering. Crap.

“Avery?”

I slapped a hand over my eyes, put another hand on the door jamb to his bathroom, and poked my head in. “The Three Musketeers are here so whatever you do, don’t go out there.”

His deep chuckle hit me low. “You can look. I’m decent. I was just shaving.”

I peeled my hand away, peering into the steam. Decent is not the word I’d use. A towel sat low on his hips, underlining that delicious V. Half his jaw was covered in shaving cream, and droplets of water clung to his chest.

He smiled at me. “Thanks for the warning. I’ll finish up here and handle them.”

Unable to take my eyes off his beautiful body, I shook my head. Then I realized he wouldn’t understand. “No. I have to stake my claim. Draw some boundary lines. Pee on the bushes.” Yeah, that was a bit much. “I told them I’d change, then take them out for lunch. But I have to do it. I need the whole shebang, the Town Car, the driver, a fancy lunch place…” Now the hard part. “But I don’t really have the money.”

He scoffed. “That’s the easy part.” He made short work of the five tiles between us, then grabbed my hand to run a finger across my knuckles.

My knees went weak at the familiar gesture being returned. And maybe this gorgeous man being half-naked so close to me.

“You sure about this? They can be pretty vicious. They eat newcomers like you for breakfast, and it’s three to one.” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I’ve had girls break up with me because of them. I know this is why I asked you to be here, but I didn’t mean you had to face them alone.”

My nod was firm. “If I don’t stand up to them now, first thing, they’re going to see me as weak and walk all over me. And they all wear stilettos.” I winced playfully, but his serious gaze didn’t waver. I wondered at the emotion I saw churning in the depths of his blue eyes. I reached up, against my better judgment, to place a hand on his freshly shaven cheek. “Don’t worry. I’ve swum with sharks before, and I’ve still got all my limbs.”

His gaze searched me. He took his time before he answered. “Well, just in case, my driver’s name is Greg, and he’s more than an employee. He’s a good friend. He’s been in our family since I was thirteen.” His blue eyes drilled into me. “If you need anything, and I mean anything, just ask him.”

I nodded, flouncing out of the room to prepare for battle.

Twenty minutes later I was ready to go, but I made them wait ten more while I caught up on Words with Friends. Derek texted me that his driver was ready downstairs with instructions to take us to a restaurant he knew would impress his sister. All I had to do was tell them my name, and everything would be taken care of.

Derek wore his fake grimace of a smile when I reappeared. If I’d known he was out here, I wouldn’t have taken those extra ten minutes.

When I leaned in to kiss his cheek, I whispered, “You were supposed to be in your room.” Loud enough for the girls to hear, I giggled. “Derek! You don’t want to smudge my lipstick. Again.” I swatted his chest, then offered him my cheek.

He tugged my sassy ponytail as I sashayed out of the apartment. “Have fun, shark bait.”

I flipped him off before I shut the door.

The ride in the elevator was a silent, staring affair during which we all sized each other up. I’d worn a navy-blue dress, the top portion a halter-type that left my shoulders and upper back bare. The bottom portion was tight, like a pencil skirt. It was a bit over the top compared to the other ladies’ pantsuits, but that was the point. My makeup was flawless, armor firmly in place, and I knew I looked amazing.

I led the way out of the elevator, nodding to Oscar who held the door for us. Instead of a Town Car, a sleek, black limo sprawled in front of the sidewalk, and a friendly-looking chauffeur waited in front of the open door. He was younger than I’d expected, though older than me. And taller, too.

“Good morning, Miss Avery.” He tipped his hat, gray eyes flicking behind me to Rhonda and the others.

I noticed Rhonda do a double take when she heard Greg’s voice. I greeted the driver like I knew him, with a cheery, “Hi, Greg.”

Then I stepped back to let the Three Musketeers in first. Rhonda’s gaze lingered on the driver, reluctantly accepting his help into the limo. It was nice to see her off-kilter already.

Once they’d disappeared, I whispered, “Thank you, Greg. I’m glad to have an ally in all this.” I grinned at him.

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