Page 50 of The Cupcake Standard

He took a step closer, nudging my chin up with his finger. “Please, Avery.” His voice was gentle, and I couldn’t refuse.

So I lifted my face, not meeting his gaze. And I stood there while he looked at me, feeling naked under his steady stare. Gina was the only other one I felt comfortable enough to be like this around—vulnerable and myself.

A soft touch made me flinch as he grazed the freckles on my cheek. “I’ve always known you were gorgeous, Cupcake. And you have a real talent for your makeup.” His words pulled me in, our gazes colliding. “But this is my favorite look of yours.”

His words replayed in my head, echoing over and over as they seared into my heart. My eyes flicked up to meet his, relief coursing through me at the acceptance I found there.

“Still up for breakfast?” he asked gently.

“Yes.” Needing the levity of earlier, I reached for my humor. I smirked at him. “Don’t think I’m not onto you. You just want me dolled up so you can help me out of my dress again.”

He smirked right back, stepping away with a wink. “Seems only fair after the gawking you did today.”

My jaw dropped. “And after I kept you from walking out the door without a stitch on. That’s gratitude for you.” I sniffed, stalking to my bedroom and shutting the door. He didn’t need to know that my parting shot brought up images of his delicious body once more.

His footsteps paused outside my room. “You’re thinking about me naked again.”

“Am not!” I shouted, storming off to the closet to get clothes before I went to drown out his laughter with a shower.

Breakfast was more like brunch by the time we finished getting ready, but Derek was true to his word, taking me to a fairly upscale place. I wore dress pants and a cute jade blouse that highlighted my eyes. My hair was pulled back in a French braid, keeping it out of my face. I kept my makeup to a minimum, remembering his words and smiling to myself. Derek wore slacks and a navy button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He looked delicious, as always.

We sat down, and I opened my mouth to begin negotiations.

But he shook his head. “Order first, then we’ll talk. I’m hungry. A full workout will do that to a person.”

I could live with that. I settled on eggs, bacon and hash browns. Once we’d put in our order, we set about figuring out rent. His numbers were way too low. After nearly ten minutes of arguing, we finally agreed on a price that included me buying the groceries and doing some of the cooking since he was basically inept at it.

I lifted my coffee cup in the air. “Pleasure doing business with you, sir.”

He gently clinked his cup to mine. “The pleasure is all mine.” The sincerity in his blue eyes made me pause, my mouth suddenly dry. He really meant it.

Chapter Ten

Once rent was settled and I had my own key, I really felt at home.

Derek and I fell into a routine, one that easily accommodated Liam or Gina dropping in. He and I usually had dinner together. We discovered a mutual love for crossword puzzles. And sometimes, I’d watch him work out, so I could drool over him while he rowed.

I hadn’t seen his sister since the family dinner, and she’d been on my mind with Derek’s upcoming party. When I got out early from my barista job, I knew I had to find her. Social media said on Thursday nights she was always at The Grotto, a dive bar not far from campus. It was ladies’ night. Though I wasn’t quite dressed the part, it was still better than taking her to lunch again. I touched up my makeup before I went in, feeling a little better armed.

The tiny place was packed. Of course, Rhonda stood out with her two Musketeers, claiming one of the few high-top tables near the bar. I strode up to her like she was expecting me.

“Rhonda, darling, so good to see you again.” I even went for the double-cheek air kiss, which she was too shocked to avoid.

“Avery, what are you doing here?” Her eyes skittered down my outfit, probably finding me oh so lacking.

“I needed to talk to you.” I stared at her friends hovering. “Your girls should step off for a few, or you could take a quick walk with me. What’s better for you?”

She blinked her pale blue eyes up at me. “Um.”

The place wasn’t conducive to conversation. It was loud between the karaoke going on and the wall-to-wall people. I glanced at her friends. “I’m just going to borrow her for a few minutes, and chat outside where it’s quieter, okay? I’ll bring her back when we’re done.”

“What, no Greg?” Yolanda sneered.

My smile was tight. “Not tonight.” I tugged on Rhonda’s arm. “Please, Rhonda.”

Her sigh was loud and long, letting me know exactly how put out she felt by my request. But she stood up and followed me to the door. The fresh air was cool but welcome after the stifling air rife with stale beer and too many dancing college kids. A bench caught my eye, and I led her to it.

“What’s all this about?” She pulled her fashionable, but not exactly made for the cold, coat tighter around her.

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