Page 3 of The Cupcake Standard

Footsteps rounded the corner, and I peeked over to see Boy Toy sprint by. Right, this is supposed to be my cover… Just then, the hot guy deepened the kiss, slanting his mouth against mine and doing this amazing thing with his tongue. My eyes fluttered shut again, my turn to moan.

Another set of footsteps ran by, accompanied by some huffing and puffing. I managed to catch a glimpse of Jack. It was several moments before I registered that the sound had disappeared and I unwrapped myself from the guy, giving him a gentle push away. He stared at me as we both caught our breath.

Why isn’t it illegal to have eyes as brilliant a blue as his? One might drown in them. I blinked a few times to regain my senses, abruptly realizing he was waiting for me to say something. My defenses slid back into place. So did my smile, as I gathered my wits, striving to be the very picture of at ease and flippant.

“Thanks for the diversion,” I said, grabbing my jacket. And I hurried off in the opposite direction my pursuers had gone. Mission accomplished.

I was almost to the library when I received a text from Mother.

No gifts for you for a month.

I rolled my eyes and went to study.

* * * *

The following day, my morning class wrapped up, and I hurried across campus to Michigan Ave to flag down a taxi. I was going to be late for my weekly lunch date. Every Wednesday, Mother had a weekly spa appointment, and I took advantage of her absence to sneak in one-on-one time with Daddy.

“Where to?”

Shit. Normally, I had the address ready. “Um, just a sec.” I fumbled for my phone, heat rising in my face as anxiety coiled in my stomach.

Me and numbers did not get along. I always struggled to keep even the basics like addresses and phone numbers straight in my brain. Since Mother moved last year, hauling Daddy along with her, I wasn’t confident enough to rattle it off.

The driver snapped his gum. “You know where you’re going or not?”

“Sorry, I…” I stopped. “I forgot my wallet.” I rushed out, onto the sidewalk.

The yellow cab drove away, the engine roaring as if it too were huffing at me.

I blinked until the sting of embarrassment dissipated, then pulled up Uber. A few seconds later, I had a response and a much easier ride.

Patty, Mother’s cook, waited in the open doorway, tapping her foot. “Cutting it close, hmm?” Patty had been with our family forever. She’d been around before…before my mother became famous, before Mother had cheated on Daddy, before the diagnosis. She was family to me.

My humiliation too fresh for me to hide, I ducked my chin.

“Oh, child, what happened?” She pulled me to her ample bosom, the familiar smell of vanilla and lemon embracing me along with her thick arms.

“Why did Mother have to move? The other house was just fine.”

She clicked at me, with a knowing smile. “Still having trouble with the address?” Her warm hand patted my back as I nodded, then she guided me inside. “It’ll get better, child. Now get on down there before Kyle gets his knickers in a wad.”

My footsteps thudded as I jogged down the marble hallway of the way too big house. It wasn’t quite a mansion, with only five bedrooms, but it was definitely more house than the two of them needed. Three if I had to include Boy Toy.

I tapped on Daddy’s door, greeting Kyle with a grin. Daddy’s caregiver just looked at his watch before arching an eyebrow at me.

“I know, I know. But I’m here!”

A reluctant smile crossed his face. “See you in an hour, Miss Avery.”

“Bye, Kyle.”

Daddy’s eyes stayed fixed on the TV, and I waited by the door, content to watch him. Gone was the robust man, full of life and laughter. The man I used to run to, my arms wide open so he could swing me high above his head in a dizzying circle before crushing me in a bear hug. In his place lay a pale, thin person, frailty evident in every movement. Alzheimer’s had stolen so much of him from me.

Patty bustled in with her noisy cart, rumbling and clinking. “All right Steve, time to eat some lunch. I made your favorite.” Daddy’s eyes met hers, then she looked my way. “And you’ve got a special guest today. This is Avery.”

A smile tipped up his lips. “My daughter’s name is Avery.”

The small bit of hope that sparked to life every time she introduced me burned out when he returned my smile with a blank stare. I was a stranger to him. I pushed aside the sharp stab of pain and forced my smile wider. “Hi, Steve. I heard you’re a big Lions fan.”

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