Page 15 of Cream and Punishment
I chuckled, closing the door behind her. “Yeah, better not let Colt see it or else he’ll have a stroke.”
“Or never leave until it was organized, even if it meant he’d become your new roommate.”
I groaned good-naturedly. “Please no. I’m notthatdesperate for a roommate.”
“Hey now,” she teased, spinning in a circle to catalog the disaster around us, “you two wake up at almost the same time, so it could actually work. Of course—” She cut off as she noticed Max standing behind the kitchen counter, watching us with the plate of cupcakes in one hand. “Max?”
He smiled, covering his mouth as he bit into his second cupcake. “Hey, Lex. Didn’t know you were coming over.”
She sent me a meaningful look. “I could say the same for you. What brings you to my sister’s apartment?”
Oh sweet chicken nuggets and ginger ale. The last thing I needed was for Lex to know I freaked out on aFriday the Thirteenth-level scale over a belt on my bedroom floor. She’d never let me live it down. I’d forever be finding belts all over my apartment, the bakery, her place, you name it. Heck, she’d probably sneak some belts onto the floors at my favorite grocery store.
“Dekker had a scare with a snake in her apartment,” he answered with a shrug.
Oh, great. I could feel the punchline coming, the perfect opportunity to humiliate me.
“I took care of it, though, so it’s all good.” He nodded at the plate. “These are payment for services rendered.”
Hold up. He hadn’t mentioned anything about the snake being a belt. He’d had a chance to roast me handed to him on a silver platter. And he hadn’t taken it? What wasthatabout? I didn’t know whether to be grateful or expect a worse attack in the future. For now, I’d focus on being grateful.
Lex’s brows raised. “Wow, good thing you were nearby. Dekker might’ve had a heart attack on the spot otherwise.”
I glowered at her, but like always, it had no effect. I’d made it a minute or two without having a cardiac event, thank you very much. Granted, it was never a real snake, but that shouldn’t matter.
He flashed a smile, making his way toward the door. “Can’t blame her if she did. It was a huge, nasty thing. Never seen a snake quite like it before.”
He wasstillcovering for me. Huh. I mean, he’d also called my belt “nasty,” but still.
He nodded at each of us, his free hand resting on the door handle. “Thanks for the cupcakes, Dekker. Have a nice night, ladies.”
And then he was gone. Just like that.
Lex rounded on me, crossing her arms. “Want to tell me the real reason you’re giving him my cupcakes?”
I couldn’t help the smile pulling at my mouth. “He heard me scream and came to make sure I was all right. I had to repay him somehow.”
“And ease your conscience while you were at it since you’re convinced he hates you.”
“Hedoes.”
She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “Whatever. As long as you saved some cupcakes for me. It’s been a long day, and I still have to figure out when I can make it for my final dress fitting during normal business hours. And then there are the bridesmaids dresses and the centerpieces and decorations for the venue and” —she heaved a sigh, flopping onto the cleared off cushion of the couch— “I’m starting to think Colt and I should just elope. It’s so much simpler.”
I shrugged, placing her cupcakes in the smallest box I’d emptied out today. “I’d support that, though Mom and Dad would be bummed.”
They were currently exploring the world as empty-nesters but would come home briefly for the wedding. Lex would just have to have their first grandchild soon so they’d be inclined to visit more often since my own wedding clearly wouldn’t be happening any time this century.
“As for the dresses, I can see if the rest of the girls can meet a little early for girls’ night tomorrow and go try ours on together.”
Since I’d be at the bakery from open to close, I’d be cutting it a little close, but I’d make it work.
“Really? You’re a lifesaver.”
I snorted—a significantly more ladylike huff of disbelief than the unholy snorts I made whenever Max was around. “I’m not sure I’d say that, but it’s nice to be appreciated.”
Her voice took on a conspiratorial note. “Speaking of appreciation, I’m pretty sure Max feelsveryappreciated tonight.”
I glared at her, scrubbing at the kitchen counter to keep my hands busy. “You and I both know the real reason I offered them, and they’re just cupcakes. Nothing special.”
