Page 61 of The Cupcake Standard

To top it all off, Liam was still there, snoring away. I made sure to bump into the side of the bed and slam my drawers, but all he did was snort, then roll onto his back.

Men.

I stomped off to shower.

Chapter Twelve

After my shower, I realized I’d forgotten my pants. I got dressed otherwise and poked my head out of the bathroom door, a towel wrapped around my waist. The hall was clear, and my bed was empty.

Maybe all my stomping around had woken Liam after all.

Pants found, hair in a don’t care messy bun, I was beyond ready for breakfast. Maybe I’d get lucky, and Derek would be working out. Or maybe he’d be in the shower. I padded out of my room just in case, breathing a sigh of relief when it was just me.

Then I saw a huge bouquet of flowers on the island. What? A folded piece of paper with Cupcake scrawled across it sat at the base of the vase, my book next to it. I unfolded the paper.

Avery,

I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I pushed you this morning when you obviously had more pressing things to take care of. And I’m sorry if I was too direct.

I wanted to say thank you for last night. Not just the ending, but the fun and the teasing. It’s been a long time since I’ve had anything close to whatever this is between us, and I really don’t want to lose it. If you’re interested in pursuing more activities like last night, just know I’m ‘up’ for it.

There are waffles and bacon in the microwave. And coffee in the pot.

Derek

I set down the note, unable to process what I was seeing. My shower hadn’t been that long. How in the world did he find flowers in that short a time? And waffles?

When I opened the microwave, there was another note on the dish.

Maple syrup in the fridge or ice cream in the freezer. Thought I’d cover both bases, just in case.

My attitude softened a little because that was the sweetest thing ever. I definitely deserved some ice cream today, slathering it on my waffle. I drowned my coffee with creamer and crunched on my bacon. Then I read his note again, wishing he’d been clearer.

Up for more activities. Could he be any vaguer? I began cutting my waffle as I pondered the meaning. Friends with benefits, fuck buddies, occasional stress relief? Did I want any of those? My head really started to hurt by the time breakfast was over. I shoved the note in my purse, took a good whiff of the flowers, and sent a smiley face with a ‘thank you for breakfast’ text to Derek. I didn’t want to be rude after all, and it was truly sweet.

I muddled through my classes, thankful when they were over so I could meet up with Gina. It was a relief to tell her everything.

She rolled her eyes when I told her how I’d run away last night. “Of course you did. That’s what you always do.”

My glare only made her raise an eyebrow at me. I couldn’t protest because she was right. I got to the part about having my period, and she sympathized with me.

“He said what? Like he thought you could turn it off?” She snorted. “Idiot.”

I nodded. “And Liam was still in my room.” I kept going, telling her what I had found after the shower and handing her the note to read herself.

“You got a real apology, plus breakfast and flowers.”

My grumbles cut off when she crossed her arms and widened her eyes.

“Honestly, Avery. Derek’s one of the best guys I know. He’s not perfect, he’s going to screw up. But look.” She jabbed a finger at the letter. “He admits it! How many guys do that? And on their own, without prompting or the silent treatment? He was probably just worked up after you ran away last night, thinking you were brushing him off again.”

The anger that had lingered in me ebbed as I thought about it from his point of view. “But what about the other thing?”

Gina’s eyes skimmed the note again. “Exactly what part of this is supposed to confuse me?”

I jabbed my finger to the line on the page. “It’s not like he spells it out. ‘I’m up for more activities.’ What’s that supposed to mean? Golly gee, you’re good at getting me off, come do it again sometime?” I dropped my head onto the table, banging it a few times for good measure.

“Avery.” Gina waited for me to look at her, and when I didn’t, she gave my hair a solid yank.

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