Page 39 of The Cupcake Standard

“All right, Derek. Jammies first, then bed. You do good with this, and I’ll sleep here tonight, okay?”

He nodded.

“Lie on your back.”

Flopping over, he spread out his arms and stared at the ceiling. “Your dress tonight was so pretty. Wait! I didn’t help you take it off. I like helping you take off your dresses.”

I started unbuttoning his shirt, pushing down one sleeve then rolling him so I could get the other. “Tonight I get to help you. It’s only fair we take turns, right?” He looked like he might pout, so I said, “Don’t worry. I’m sure I’ll need your help next time.” I pulled his undershirt up over his head, my fingers grazing the muscular ridges of his abdomen as I went. Steady, girl. “Shirt or no shirt?”

His head flopped side to side in an adamant no.

Oh darn, more time to ogle. Now to tackle the pants. “Okay, shoe off.”

I slipped it off, then his socks. It felt weird undoing his pants, so I just steeled myself and did it. It took some effort to slide them down his hips, but he helped me some, and we managed. Then he was in his boxers, staring up at me with all the trust and innocence of a puppy. Damn, he’s hot.

“Shorts on!” I said with a forced cheerfulness, getting both his legs in the shorts.

He raised his hips, and I let the elastic snap into place as he sat up. “Avery.” He reached for me, missed and tried again, this time succeeding in catching my arm. He pulled me to him, resting his face against my stomach and sighed happily. “I’m glad you picked me.”

“All right, Derek.” I patted his shoulder, trying to break the embrace. “Why don’t you lie down? I have to tell Liam and Greg goodbye.”

“But then I have to let you go.” He sounded so sad.

There was no way I could deal with emotional Derek. Not right now. “Just for a minute. I’ll be right back.”

With a sigh, he pushed away, scooting up the mattress.

I hurried out to the guys.

“Our turn, now?” Liam glanced at his watch. “You lasted longer than I thought.”

What? I shook my head. “No, he’s all set. I just wanted to thank you both for your help.” I wrapped Liam in a hug before he could stop me. “Not only did you come for coffee earlier, you let me kidnap you this afternoon. And then you came when we needed you just now. Derek’s so lucky to have a friend like you.” I kissed his cheek as he froze.

After letting him go, I turned to Greg with a big smile. I gave him a hug as well, which he returned with a tight squeeze. “And you, too. Thank you for running me everywhere today. For bringing me those books. For staying with us at dinner. And helping get Derek up here. You’re the best.”

Greg shook his head. “Nah, I think that title goes completely to you, Avery. Good night.”

Liam paused in the doorway. “You’re not half bad, for a Lions fan.”

My middle finger shot up of its own accord, but I had a smile on my face. Is it my imagination, or does his smirk have a hint of fondness? He shook his head, pulling the door shut behind him.

I locked the door, turned out the lights, then crawled into bed beside Derek who was already snoring softly. After making sure he was covered up, I lay on my back to think over the day.

Derek stirred, rolling over and putting his head on my shoulder with a warm humming sound. “Night, Cupcake,” he mumbled.

“Good night, Derek.” I wrapped an arm around him, and we drifted off to sleep.

When I woke up in the late morning light, we’d shifted positions. Derek was behind me, one of his biceps under my cheek as I snuggled in the cocoon of his arms, feeling warm, safe and content. It was all I could do not to bolt upright. Instead, I forced myself to ease out of his embrace, slowly replacing the walls around my heart one brick at a time.

This isn’t real, after all.

And I’ll be sleeping in my own bed tonight.

The too-cozy morning had me feeling antsy, so I shot Gina a text, asking what happened with Liam the night before. She didn’t answer. I decided to go on a grocery run, intending to cook breakfast. Of course, when I got back, I ran into the dilemma of still being without a key or remembering the damn apartment number. I doubted Derek was in any shape to be up yet, if his phone was even on. So I called Liam and bribed him with free breakfast if he met me in the lobby to help carry the groceries up.

He grumbled a bit but his mood lightened once I got some coffee in him. I tried asking him what had happened with Gina, but he just grunted from his spot at the island. I made egg bites, a scrambled egg mixture I poured into a mini muffin tin and baked. They came out looking like little muffins but were made completely out of eggs. I added bacon, spinach, mushrooms and Italian cheese to these, then whipped up some cinnamon rolls. Quick, easy, and delicious.

My phone dinged. Gina finally responded, but she told me not to worry about it. I frowned, though I didn’t have time to wonder much about it because the timer went off. Then Derek emerged. His bed head was adorably messy, his black T-shirt clung in all the right spots and gray sweatpants hung low on his hips.

---