Page 38 of The Cupcake Standard

I learned my lesson this time,

Never again will I run away.

Here is where I want to be,

Safe in your arms I’ll stay.”

What would it be like to have that kind of love? That kind of security? I stared at Derek, a wave of intense longing welling up inside me. Not only wanting love but wanting to believe it was possible. My throat suddenly felt thick, almost like I was going to cry. I shook my head, pushing down the ridiculous emotions, and sipped some water. I knew better.

Bin was right. He and Greg had to get Derek to the limo. Then Liam met us at the sidewalk to drag Derek inside, him and Greg under each arm. I went ahead to open doors and push buttons.

There was a little tiff in the elevator when Derek insisted he could stand on his own. He put up such a fuss that Liam rolled his eyes and let go. Greg sighed, ducking out from his other arm. Derek looked smug for half a second before crashing against the wall.

“He’s like an overtired four-year-old when he’s drunk,” Liam explained to me.

I arched an eyebrow. “How many four-year-olds do you know?”

“One sister has three kids, the other has two. I’m the favorite uncle.”

Not what I expected.

Meanwhile, Greg started arguing with Derek, trying to reason with him. On my tours with my mother, because of my age, I’d been saddled with kids on set, time after time. People had just assumed I was childcare. And I knew reason didn’t work on a tired kid.

Distraction, that’s the best tactic. “Derek.” I spoke in my sultriest voice, leaning against the open door of the elevator.

All three heads snapped up to stare at me.

“Cupcake.” Those blue eyes zeroed in on me.

“That’s right, Derek. Let’s go hang out in our apartment. I need to get out of this dress. Where’s the key?” My words were innocent enough, but my tone suggested otherwise.

“Pocket?”

I slid my hand in, coming out with the key ring and jangling it a few times. “We’ll get there faster if you let Liam and Greg help you. It can be like a three-legged race. I bet you’re good at that.”

Derek frowned a little, looking sideways at the guys. So I stepped out of the elevator, stopping to adjust my shoe and showing off that handy slit with the lacy stocking top he seemed to adore.

Next thing I knew, his arms were looped over the other guys’ shoulders, and they all followed me down the hallway.

“What’s the number?” I whispered.

Liam gave me a disbelieving look but rattled it off. I still hadn’t memorized it yet. In the apartment, I left the guys to get Derek settled, dying to take off my shoes, dress and especially my stockings. Once in comfy PJs, with my hair in a low pony instead of piled with bobby pins, I felt a million times better. Then I heard some commotion from down the hall.

Knocking on the closed door to Derek’s room, I went in without waiting for an invitation. This wasn’t a time to stand on ceremony, and his friends probably thought I’d seen it all anyway. Liam was practically sitting on Derek, while Greg tried to yank one of his shoes off.

I almost laughed at the ridiculous scene. “What is going on here?”

“Cupcake!” Derek peeked his head around Liam’s muscular frame. “They’re being mean.”

Liam folded his arms, glaring at his drunk friend. “No, you’re being a dick.”

I couldn’t help a giggle then, because he really did sound like a kid. Not that Liam sounded very mature either. “Okay, both of you, off.”

Derek was in a sorry, disheveled state as the guys stood up. His jacket lay on the floor. Half his shirt was undone. One shoe lay near the door of the bathroom. His blue eyes landed on me, blinking as he tried to focus. “You’re wearing pajamas. I want my pajamamas too.” His words were slurred, then his face lit up. “Are you staying in here tonight?”

“Where are your PJs?” With his mumbled directions, I found the right drawer. Both his friends watched me, identical expressions of disbelief on their faces. “Why don’t you two wait in the living room? I’ll call if I need you.”

Giving me an ‘it’s your funeral’ shrug, Liam turned on his heel and disappeared with Greg right behind him.

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