Page 43 of The Cupcake Standard

“So much hair.” His voice was filled with awe as his fingers wove through the strands, starting near my face and trailing all the way across my scalp, down to my shoulders.

It was hypnotic. As if he’d cast a spell over me, pulling me into a fantasy world where every movement between us was real and meant something. But I knew better, or so I told myself.

Over and over again.

When only the two of us remained and the apartment sparkled, it was time for bed, but we lingered in the kitchen. I finished my last swallow of whiskey, rinsed the glass then put it in the dishwasher. When I turned, Derek’s blue eyes studied me.

“You can stay with me again tonight.” His words were soft, his tone vulnerable. “If you want.”

But I couldn’t say yes because my walls were fragile enough already. I kept the island between us. “Not tonight, Derek.” I barely stopped from wincing as hurt flashed across his face. “There’s no reason to pretend right now.”

His face fell, then went blank. He nodded. “Right. Good night.”

When I shut the door to my room, I pushed aside the pang of guilt. If I kept my heart guarded now, I’d never end up like my dad. And when this whole Princess thing came to a head, it wouldn’t matter that he was in love with someone else. I was doing the right thing for myself in the long run.

So why the hell does it hurt so much?

* * * *

I was happy to get back into my routine again. Classes were great. Well, other than Classic Literature. Why do I need to read about Chaucer and Shakespeare? Whatever business I run will have nothing to do with old English. It was my last class of the day, and all I could do was dread the seconds until I’d face my mother again.

I’d sent Mother another email this morning with links to a nearby specialized facility, somewhere Daddy could socialize if he chose to. I’d read about these facilities tailored to make a person comfortable enough that they were able to regain part of their memory. Some patients could function almost normally, most of the time. I wanted that for my dad.

It wasn’t like Mother couldn’t afford it. Hell, Daddy had worked most of his life so a decent chunk of that money was his to begin with. She was just afraid it would leak to the press, then her whole image would go down the drain. It surprised me that one of her boyfriends hadn’t ratted her out yet. Anger stabbed at me as I glanced at my empty inbox, though I wasn’t really expecting a reply.

Someone sat down on the bench beside me, and I turned to tell them the seat was taken, but I realized it was Derek. I was more stressed than I thought. Usually, I sensed Derek before I saw him.

“You okay? You look tense.” A little crease appeared between his eyebrows, and his mouth dipped down in the corners.

He’s worried about me. “Just thinking about Mother.” I shook my head, trying to clear the negative emotions. “Getting it out of the way now because I have to stay in her good graces tonight.” I made a mental note to talk with Derek about rent afterward. It was going to happen, dammit, but I was too worked up at the moment.

His arm circled my shoulders, offering comfort. “What exactly is this favor you need from her?”

“Oh, um. It’s a surprise.” Great, he’ll never suspect anything at this rate.

His eyebrows shot up. “That’s all I get?”

“Yep.” I patted his cheek. “Now be a good carrot and dangle nicely for the rabbit.” I watched Jack pull up in a sleek black Trans Am. “Hey, Jack.” I greeted him with a tight smile.

“Avery.” My name came out laced with a mix of surprise and wariness at my almost friendly demeanor.

“I’m starving, ready to go?” I popped up from the bench, slung my bag over my shoulder and gave Derek a proper goodbye kiss. “See you at home, Derek.” I blew him another kiss over my shoulder.

“Bye, Cupcake.”

Jack’s eyes were wide as I walked up to the car.

After climbing into the backseat, I greeted the other goon with a short nod. I didn’t even warrant Boy Toy being sent this time. Interesting.

“Was that Derek Elgin you were with?” Jack asked, staring hard at Derek before we pulled away.

I nodded, smiling to myself. Rabbit, meet carrot. “Where are we eating?”

Turned out Mother wanted a ‘quiet’ dinner at home. Which meant thirty other people, a live salsa band, and authentic Mexican food. I walked in the door of the villa, handing my backpack to a maid I didn’t recognize. Jack and the goon flanked me, leading me straight to Mother.

“Avery, darling!” She was overdone as usual. Her bright red hair towered above her in a high bouffant, her cleavage, which I could see way too much of, practically touched her chin, and her dress had so many sequins she could have been hung from the ceiling in lieu of a disco ball.

“Mother.” I forced a smile, patting her back when she hugged me exuberantly.

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