Page 44 of The Cupcake Standard

Her smile dimmed, and she raised her over-plucked eyebrows. “What do you need?” She’d always been good at cutting through other people’s bullshit.

I’d learned it was best to spit it out. “Patty. November seventeenth, for the whole night. It’s a Friday.”

A perfectly manicured hand dropped to her chest as if I’d stabbed her. “My cook? You want to take away my cook? On Friday night of all nights?”

“I’ll come for two dinners, on the nights of your choosing. Plus, I’ll throw in Christmas.” It was a lowball, for sure, and she knew it.

“Hmph.”

The muttering under her breath and the evil eye she gave me would have made me shake once, but not anymore.

She waited for me to counter, to back down, or cower. When I didn’t, she arched an eyebrow, throwing out an offer of her own. “Five dinners, plus two weekend events, all of my choosing. Christmas and Thanksgiving.”

I snorted. “Seven dinners?” I shook my head. “Three dinners, two lunches and Christmas.”

The glare was back.

It was time for Mr. Carrot. “And I’ll introduce you to my boyfriend.”

Jack leaned over to whisper in her ear.

Mother’s jaw dropped, her head whipping toward him. Then she turned back to me. “You’re dating one of the Elgins? The Elgins?”

The nod I gave was one of practiced confidence. “I could text him right now.”

Her gaze narrowed. “I’ll take three dinners and Christmas if he comes with you, provided he also makes an appearance tonight.”

“Done.” I got out my phone, then I eyed Mother once more. “But I want a written statement showing Patty is mine from noon to midnight that Friday.” When she started to protest, I moved to put my phone away.

“All right, all right. Jack, go find Earl. That lousy lawyer should do something to earn his keep.”

I texted Derek the address along with a carrot emoji. He sent back a thumbs-up and a rabbit. “He’ll be here shortly.”

“Okay, come find me as soon as he gets here.” She paused, raking her eyes down my simple outfit, and I braced myself as best I could. “Avery, have you been trying at all? Darling, you’re dating an Elgin now. They have standards.” She clucked her tongue once, then she was off.

My breath left me in a whoosh as I tried to let the insult slide off me. I didn’t care what she thought. I knew I looked good in my fitted black pants and pink top, but a part of me always wished for Mother’s approval. I wondered if I’d ever grow out of it.

Surrounded by people I didn’t know or care about, I made my way through the crowd to see my dad, pushing the harsh words aside along with the lingering pain they’d caused. Mother wouldn’t mind me disappearing as long as I was there to introduce Derek when he arrived. I snuck away from the crowd, winding down the hallway to Daddy’s room.

Kyle greeted my tap on the door. “Miss Avery, so good to see you.”

I smiled back at him. “How is he?”

“Sleeping, but come on in. I’ll give you two some time. I’m about out of coffee anyways.” Kyle ducked into the hallway, his footsteps echoing off the cold marble.

I crossed the room to stand beside my dad’s bed, not unhappy he was asleep. It gave me time to actually look at him without making him feel uncomfortable. I always had a hard time reconciling the man I’d grown up with, my hero, to the frail, wrinkled man laying here.

I slipped my hand into his, studying it. These hands had taught me how to change my oil. They’d shown me how to throw a football, dribble a basketball, punch something without breaking my thumb. They’d wiped away tears and put on Band-Aids. They’d tucked me in at night, held me when I’d had nightmares.

Him being asleep gave me the opportunity to catch him up on my life too, without confusing him. “I’m sort of dating someone, Daddy. His name is Derek, and he’s amazing. He’s absolutely who I would choose for myself if I could. We have some complications though.” I thought of Princess and gritted my teeth. “I’ll let you know how it turns out.” I chatted for a few more minutes, filling him in with school, work, and Gina. Before I left, I leaned down to kiss his cheek.

Kyle returned with his cup of coffee, so I made my way to the kitchen next and found Patty.

“Avery!” She gave me a broad smile, wrapping me in a warm hug.

My smile was just as big. “Patty, I have news for you. I managed to steal you away from Mother next month for a Friday night. I’m surprising my boyfriend—”

“You have a boyfriend? Where is he?” She stalked past me, ready to storm into Mother’s party just to meet Derek.

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