Page 98 of The Cupcake Standard

He laughed. “Yeah, but I was getting my mail and one of the managers was there. Evidently you didn’t get your mail last week? The mailman had to start piling it up.”

Mentally, I smacked my forehead. “Crap. Derek usually grabs it. Between him being gone last week, the party, and everything, I didn’t even think about it. Thanks so much!”

Liam looked at the mess sprawling across our kitchen and dining room. “Good thing you canceled Sunday night football. Looks like you’ve got your work cut out for you.” He shook his head. “Good luck.

“Thanks again.”

With one last wave, he disappeared into the elevator.

I shut the door with my foot, setting the box on the coffee table. Mail was the priority, so I started sorting. I tried to make piles. Obviously, mine went into one pile, but the majority was Derek’s, and he got a lot of junk, so I tried to weed it out.

A postcard stood out from a name I didn’t recognize. Curious, and knowing I shouldn’t snoop, I read it anyway.

Derek, congratulations on getting your master’s in math! I can’t believe you’re the youngest SMU graduate to ever earn their master’s and I used to date you. I read your paper online. I always knew you’d change the world, looks like that day is finally here. If you’re still single, or ever want to catch up, my number’s still the same. ~Wendy

It wasn’t that he had a postcard from some girl that bothered me. But why am I just finding out now that he’s graduating with his master’s this semester? He’d said he was graduating, and that was early for our age group. When he and Bin had mentioned a project, I’d just assumed he meant for Derek’s bachelor’s degree. But a master’s?

I put the postcard down, googling Derek’s name along with math. A plethora of hits came up. Derek had created an app that was revolutionizing the shipping world as we knew it. His new algorithm provided a better way to make full use of each shipping container, with less margin of error and less manpower, saving the shipping companies money. Everyone was saying he was a genius.

And I’d had to hear about it from an ex-girlfriend. Frustration and hurt whirled in me, but I tried to keep calm. We’re still new. We had a lot going on, him out of town, the party this weekend…

I tried to push it out of my mind as I kept sorting through the mail. The next to last piece had familiar handwriting that caught my eye, and I frowned at the name and address of my old landlord. Why would he be contacting Derek?

Unable to stop myself, I ripped open the envelope and scanned the contents of the letter. As the words sank in, I stood up, reading faster and faster. I lifted my head, took a deep breath, and told myself that it wasn’t true. Unfortunately, when I looked down the words hadn’t disappeared.

Right there, in black and white, it said that Derek was the one who’d had my apartment condemned. So much for honesty between us. The manipulative bastard had me in a chess match right from day one. I thought back to my time in the hospital, how I was supposed to be released first thing, then had magically been let out after Derek had showed up. And how he’d won Gina over so quickly.

I wondered why. Was it all about the sex? Was it some sort of sick game to him? Maybe this weekend was the feather in his cap, and from here on out he’d grow more and more distant.

Well, not if I leave first. I heard the shower stop and knew I didn’t have any time. I grabbed my phone, my purse and my shoes, then ran for the hall. Anger, hurt and betrayal compounded with each footfall as I headed for Liam’s, pounding on his door.

He opened it, a shocked look crossing his face. “Ave! What’s wrong? Is everything all right?”

I tried to speak but couldn’t.

His strong hands clutched my shoulders. “Is Derek okay? Did something happen?”

“He’s fine.” The words burned like acid on my tongue. “Precious Derek is fine. His little lies have caught up to him, though, and I’m done. Liam, were you in on it, too? Was it all a game?” I stared at him, needing him to tell me that he, at least, was really my friend.

“What? I—” he stammered, glancing down the hall. “I don’t understand.”

“If you’re my friend at all, you’ll help me disappear. Now. Before Derek comes after me. I promise I’ll explain, but I didn’t know where else to go. Please.” I swiped at the silent tears streaming down my cheeks.

Liam shut his mouth, opening the door wider. “Okay, let me put on my shoes. I know just the place.”

A few minutes later, we were in his car. He’d taken some extra time when he’d realized how fast I’d left and packed me up a few things of his own. I silenced my phone, then slouched in the front seat, knees against the door.

“All right. Please explain why I’m helping my best friend’s girlfriend run away from him, after they just spent the entire weekend banging like rabbits.”

It was time for him to know the whole truth. “Derek and I weren’t really dating to begin with.”

He laughed.

But I kept my tone serious. “It’s true. Ask Gina if you like. Ask Derek. I’m not sure why he didn’t tell you. I met him one week before I went to the hospital, when I walked up to him and kissed him randomly to get away from my mother’s book agent who was trying to drag me to one of my mother’s dinner parties.”

His laughter faded. “But…”

As I told him about the library and breakfast, I tried to keep my voice steady, but it wobbled. The stupid tears were back. “Yolanda stole his phone at the birthday party, asking where his amazing girlfriend was, and you know the rest.” I sniffed. “What you don’t know is we weren’t officially, truly dating until this weekend.” Stupid leap, stupid Derek. Why had I trusted him?

---