Page 5 of The Cupcake Standard

Josh hung up after ordering, turning to pin Gina against the counter and kiss her. Josh was lean, wiry but toned, not at all her usual type. His long brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and he wanted to be an actor, majoring in theater. I didn’t see the appeal.

Dark, curly hair and a set of amazing blue eyes flashed in my mind. The stranger’s firm body as I grabbed his tie and pulled him closer. Heat rushed through me, my stomach flipping at the mere memory.

Great. Now I need a diversion from my diversion.

* * * *

A week later, as I sharply rounded the psychology section in the campus library, I ran smack into the back of someone much taller and sturdier than me. I hit hard enough to tumble gracelessly onto my ass. Ouch. I grabbed the hand offering to help me to my feet, my gaze colliding with a hauntingly familiar pair of brilliant blue eyes. I bit back a gasp as he tugged me up, a smirk playing on his lips.

It was him, Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome. The guy I’d daydreamed about fourteen times in the seven days since we’d made out. Not that I’m counting.

But I noticed a difference today as I studied his face. Is that panic in his eyes?

A demure-looking girl stood next to my mystery man, a frown playing on her lips as she watched him help me up. His gaze hit mine, darting to the girl and back to me.

Yep, definitely desperation.

“There you are.” He gave me a look that said I owed him. “You’re late.”

Willing to play along, I rearranged my expression into my best apologetic smile. “So sorry. Got held up trying to find the right book for my psych class. It was shelved under psychiatry instead of psychology.” I rolled my eyes at the petite dark-haired female currently glaring daggers in my direction. “Oh, forgive me. I’m Avery—”

“My girlfriend.”

The guy’s interruption was so smooth that I didn’t even have time to look surprised.

The girl in front of us exchanged her daggers for machine guns. “Derek, you have a girlfriend? When did this happen? Rhonda didn’t mention it.”

Derek slid a casual arm around my waist, pulling me to his side. I was hardly in a position to argue. I did owe him after last week. To really ham it up, I rested my head on his shoulder and splayed a hand across his firm chest.

Holy muscles!

I wondered what he did to keep in shape. Running? Swimming? Secret fight club no one could talk about?

“We haven’t wanted to be too public, but it’s been going on for a while.” He glanced down at me with an adorable smile.

Cue the butterflies. It had been forever since a guy looked at me like that. If only it were real.

“Actually, you’re the first person we’ve told.” My grin dripped with acid in a clear hands-off message. I actually saw the color drain from her face. “Congratulations…?” I trailed off, waiting for one of them to fill in her name.

Derek choked on what I assumed was laughter, but he hid it with a cough. “Um, Yolanda.”

A strangled noise escaped my lips as I choked back my own laughter. Didn’t she say her friend’s name is Rhonda? Rhonda and Yolanda? What are the odds? He gave me a strange look, and I made a motion to continue as I finally got myself under control.

“Could you please not tell my sister about this?” His smile could charm the pants off a used car salesman. “I just want to tell my family myself when we’re ready, you know?”

Yolanda looked from Derek to me, then back again, her face falling more with each second. A splash of pity surprised me as I watched her fight for control. She gave a single, tight nod, then fled.

“Well, she must really like you. She brought a whole new level to ‘if looks could kill’.” I maneuvered out from under Derek’s arm, startled at the disappointed expression on his face. If he wanted that girl to stick around, why did he say I was his girlfriend?

“Yolanda?” He rolled his eyes. “It’s not me. She just doesn’t want to disappoint my sister.”

I was beyond confused. My questions lined up, waiting to tumble out of my open mouth, only to be thwarted by Derek’s warm finger pressed to my lips.

“I haven’t had breakfast yet. And since we’ve done everything else ass backward up to this point, let’s save the explanations and introductions until after we have some food. My treat?”

His logic stunned me into silence. Or maybe it was those blue eyes.

I nodded, spellbound, letting him tug me to the checkout desk where I handed over my book. Once it was scanned and stamped, I shoved it into my backpack, turning to follow Derek.

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