The Magic Cupcake Read online

  I feel a little better, I have to agree.

  “Come on then Draco,” I say as I scoop him up and follow Andrea out of the door.

  She makes kissing noises as she points to my potential future date’s door.

  Shaking my head, I shove her towards the steps.

  Chapter Eight

  Lauren

  It’s amazing what a bit of exercise does to your mood, I think, as I bounce up the steps towards my home with Draco in close pursuit. I feel a million times better than I did this morning.

  My phone pings, and I stop to check it. Danny:

  Got your fave in for dinner, sweets. And latest Tits and Dragons downloaded too. See you later! Mwah

  Fucking amazing. Best roomie ever. I swear he’s telepathic sometimes. I was really hoping he’d be around tonight. I need to talk to him about my situation at work. I need a man’s opinion.

  Lunch is cheese and pepperoni pizza. One cheesy mouthful after the next until all the hard-won sense of wellness I got from the exercise earlier is gone and all I want to do is veg out in front of the TV. “Screw it,” I say, and throw myself on the couch. The rest of the afternoon passes with me staring contentedly at the flickering screen.

  It’s late afternoon and I’ve binged for too long on Netflix when Draco starts getting restless. There are no emails or messages for me from work and feeling pretty damn sorry for myself, I rouse myself from the warmth of the couch.

  I need to take a Draco for a walk, but I really don’t want to risk running into my neighbor just yet. I will ask him out, but not today. I hide behind the curtains and see his car isn’t parked in its usual place. So unless yesterday’s unlucky streak is still running, I won’t meet him but even so, I get into my sneakers reluctantly. If there was any way for me to get outside without passing his door, I swear I would have.

  But other than throwing Draco out of the window and jumping out myself after him, there’s no other option that doesn’t involve the dog doing his business on my floor. So we hurry our butts past his door on the way out and I’m extremely relieved when his car does not pull up.

  I take Draco to the park and work up a good sweat. Hopefully, I burn off the pizza. Nearly an hour later, I head for home.

  As I reach my home, I carefully scan the street ahead. Good, he is not home. Darting down the street I round the corner and run straight into a man, my foot landing on his. I jump off quickly and look up.

  Oh, god. No. Fate can’t be this cruel. It’s him!

  “You two have really got it in for these shoes, haven’t you?” he notes, his beautiful green eyes twinkling deliciously. “I only just got them cleaned after the last incident.”

  “I’m so sorry about—that,” I stammer while my face decides to flush like a traitor.

  “I’m only joking,” he says.

  When he smiles at me like that I think I’m going to faint. Dimples appear in the cheeks of his beautiful chiseled face and his eyes crinkle up. He runs his hand through his deliciously glossy black hair and I think he might be the most masculine man I’ve ever set eyes on.

  Broad shoulders, a jaw I could cut granite with if that’s even a thing, broad shoulders, tanned skin in the middle of winter. But he’s not one of those guys who goes tanning. I can tell, somehow. He probably just wills his skin to tan and his skin knows it has no choice but to obey.

  He’s just coming in from a workout, judging by the clothes he’s wearing. Not the fancy stuff he was in when he stepped into Draco’s poo. His green eyes travels down my sloppy, sweaty clothes and damn, why didn’t I put on a little lip gloss, or something before leaving the house? Why am I such a shlub?

  “Any gifts left for me on the welcome mat?” he asks, flashing a killer smile. I mean, absolutely killer and bathroom sink white. It reveals dimples in his stubbly cheeks too.

  I want to run my fingers over that stubble. Maybe other parts of his body too. Oh, God! Why am I acting like such a desperado? “I’m very sorry about that. Really, really am.”

  “I should be the one apologizing to you for acting like such a jerk. I was having a bad day. It wasn’t your fault that I lost my chill. I mean, I wouldn’t have a dog of my own if stepping in shit was a nightmare.”

  “You have a dog?”

  “Yeah! He’s pretty quiet, though. He hardly ever barks.”

  “I was gonna say, I’ve never heard barking coming from over there.”

  “I don’t hear barking coming from your place, either.” He bends down to scratch poor, patient Draco behind the ears.

  “He’s pretty good too. Only barks when he feels threatened. I guess he likes you.” Oh, sweet lord, am I flirting with him? Is that what this is? I’m not even good at it, why am I doing it?

  “What’s his name?”

  “Draco.”

  “Ah, Harry Potter.” He grins.

  “Actually, that was my grandfather’s name.”

  One gorgeous eyebrow rises. “Really?”

  “No. I named him after a character from a book series.”

  He has a really nice laugh. It makes me feel warm all over.

  “My dog’s name is Tyrion.”

  “Game of Thrones!” I exclaim.

  “Yep. He was the runt of the litter, so it sort of seemed to fit.”

  Jeez, I could get lost in those eyes of his. And he’s a Game of Thrones fan. Could he possibly be more perfect? Is he even human?

  “Well, it’s nice to see someone so happy on such a rainy day. Keep smiling,” he says as he turns to leave.

  In my head, Nina urges me on, “I’m smiling now, but I had the morning from hell, I woke up completely hungover,” I babble. What am I going on about? But he’s waiting. Listening. “Yeah, but all good now, made it to spin class, and got a night in with the best roomie ever tonight. And Draco of course.” I grin.

  “Draco. Nice to officially meet you.” He bends down.

  I’m so proud of Draco as he lifts a paw to greet him. What a champ.

  “Did you say roomie?” he asks casually, “The guy you live with? I assumed you were together.”

  “Oh, no!” I reply. Maybe too quickly. “We’re just friends. Good friends! But nothing else. Ever.” Shut up. “He bats for the other side. Absolutely has no interest in me.” SHUT UP.

  He smiles slowly.

  Oh, wow. That smile.

  “I was going to ask you something, actually,” I continue, looking away from those very distracting dimples. I can do this! “I really wanted to make it up to you for, you know—your shoes, and the inconvenience and everything. Would you like to come to dinner one night? Maybe even… tomorrow night?” I dare to look up at him and let my eyes meet his again.

  He looks really amused.

  I don’t know if that’s a good sign.

  “I mean,” I rush on, “it’s my way of apologizing for the dog poo incident. And maybe we can introduce the dogs, while we’re at it.” I’m really stretching this, pulling out all the stops. Using my dog as a bribe. It’s not up there with buying a potion, but close.

  “I wouldn’t dream of saying no,” he drawls. “And talking of introductions. I’m Jackson. Jackson Miller.” He extends a hand.

  His clasp is firm and warm. I die a little inside. My voice comes out squeaky. “Lauren. Lauren Appleton.”

  He said YES! What? Nina is clapping her hands and doing cartwheels in my head.

  He smiles and I nearly melt into the ground. “Tomorrow night sounds good. I’ll bring a bottle.”

  “Great!” I reply grinning like a Cheshire cat. “Okay. Any, um, dietary things I should know about? Restrictions, allergies?”

  “I’ll eat anything except fish.”

  “Gotcha.” I practically skip to my door. I turn around quickly and yell, “Six-ish?”

  “See you then!” he calls back.

  Approximately fifty cannons go off in my head all at once. I can barely hear myself think.

  He flashes one more super sexy smile before he continues on his way.
>
  I close the door behind me and sink to the floor. What just happened? My heart is thumping in my chest and my cheeks are straining from the involuntary grin plastered across my face. “I did it, Draco!” I yell. “I’m a 21st century woman!”

  I grab my phone and text Andrea and Nina:

  Asked hot neighbor on date! He said YES!! No potion involved. Go me!

  Chapter Nine

  Jackson

  Well, well, well, the bearded guy living with her is not her boyfriend.

  I smile to myself as I put my key into my door. Yeah, she’s a little flaky. But cute. Definitely very cute. I’m not in the market for a girlfriend, but it’s never a bad idea to make friends with the next-door neighbor.

  It was gutsy of her to hit me up. She looked like she was about ready to fall over and die from embarrassment just from asking me. I’ve been meaning to apologize for being such a rude fucker myself. Not that I flip out anywhere except in my head, but still. Shit happens. Literally.

  I push open the door and Tyrion is already spinning in circles with sheer unadulterated joy. As always. There’s something to be said for somebody being that excited to see you when you get home. I went a really long time without this in my life.

  “Hey, boy!” I say with a chuckle, crouching in front of him so he can sniff me. He starts smelling in earnest. “You smell Draco? You’re gonna hang out with him tomorrow night while I hang out with his mom.

  Shit! Where did that come from?

  I’m not looking for a relationship. I’ve got no place for a girlfriend in my life right now. My existence is a mess presently. I’m up to my eyeballs with work and I’m living in this temporary accommodation without all my stuff because my apartment is being redone. No, I do not need the added complication of a relationship.

  Not even without one as cute as Miss Appleton.

  Even so.

  No, Jackson, no.

  I remember the landlord mentioning her when I came in to look at the house. Nice girl, he said, quiet and keeps to herself. No parties. All of that sounded good at the time and still does, since I need peace and quiet.

  Not that a drink with the guys is off-limits, and in fact… oh, damn. I was supposed to meet up with Josh and Pete tomorrow night. I completely forgot. I occurs to me that I could cancel with Lauren, but I don’t want to come off as a complete jerk. Well, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

  I put food into Ty’s bowl and get into the shower. As soon as I’m out, I dial up Joe. I hear crying the second he picks up, before he even says hello. “Sorry,” he calls out over the cacophony. “Teething. You know how it is.”

  No, I don’t. I’ve heard how it is, since my friends are now of the age, where having kids has become a reasonable next step, but I’ve never been through it.

  “I won’t keep you long,” I promise, mostly because I don’t really feel like hearing the baby squall for much longer. “I’m not going to be able to make it out tomorrow night. I’m sorry, man.”

  “Wait. Wait, wait, wait. I’ll just go lock myself in the bathroom.” The sound of the baby’s cries gets quieter until it goes away entirely.

  Poor guy. I glance over at Tyrion, who’s lying on the floor and licking himself. A dog is more than enough for me.

  “Shit, this is the only place in the house I can get a minute of peace, Jackson. You honestly are backing out on getting drinks tomorrow night? Because I get out like, once in a blue moon anymore and I’ve been looking forward to it ever since we decided to hang out.”

  “You’ll still have Pete with you.”

  “Oh, well. No big deal, I guess.” He sighs.

  “I’ll make it up to you, man,” I say feeling like a douche for cancelling on him. I’ll meet you for happy hour some night this week. Or whenever is good for you.”

  He chuckles. “Wow, since when do you leave the office early enough to go to a happy hour?”

  “I can make an exception. Gimme a call and let me know what’s good for you, okay?”

  “Right man, got to go.”

  I hear the yelling get louder so I quickly say my byes and end the call. I have a ton of work waiting for me on my table. I need to focus.

  I also need to stop thinking about the girl next door and the way she smiles. The way she blushes whenever our eyes meet. She’s definitely cute. Maybe even hot, though I’ve only ever seen her wearing bulky coats and scarfs, since we’ve only ever run into each other while she’s on her way out with the dog.

  Tyrion eventually scratches at my ankle, signaling that he needs to go out for a walk. I find myself looking at her door while I’m locking mine, wondering what she’s doing in there. What’s her life all about? What does she do with herself on a Saturday evening? What does she do for fun?

  Fuck, I have stop this shit. She’s just the girl next door. I’ll have dinner with her tomorrow and that will be the end of that. Before the month is up, I’ll be out of here, anyway.

  Chapter Ten

  Lauren

  As I get out of the shower, I hear the door swing open and then crash shut again. That can only mean one thing…Danny’s home!

  “Hey sweets,” he yells. “You here?”

  “Hey you!” I cheer, running towards him and giving him a big hug.

  He’s wearing a particularly brash cap today, but he throws it to one side now that he’s home. He’s not conscious of his increasingly receding hairline around me. He’s certainly not lacking in the facial hair department though and I give his beard an affectionate tug.

  I start to pick up the bags of shopping he’s surrounded by, peeking at the goodies he’s bought. He’s certainly not one to scrimp on groceries, we could feed a small army!

  “You’re not drinking again, are you?” I ask, as he lifts a bag clinking with bottles.

  “Noooo, this isn’t alcohol, it’s kombucha. Amazing stuff.”

  “I see.” I’m glad he hadn’t succumbed. And besides, I definitely didn’t feel like drinking tonight.

  “So, what’s new?” he asks. “I feel like I haven’t seen you for years.”

  “I know, I’ve missed you! How was vacation?”

  “Really good. Incredibly relaxing. I spent it mostly in group meditation.”

  I scrunch up my nose. “That’s what you call a vacation?”

  “Don’t knock it until you try it. How was the head this morning, by the way?” he asks, winking.

  My eyes widen. “How did you know?”

  He blows me a kiss. “Well, let me see. Clothes everywhere, the half-drunk pint glass of Berocca next to the sink… all very important clues.”

  I’m scrunching my face up. “Yeah, I guess it was pretty obvious now that I think about it.”

  “So, the usual terrible trio? I miss those girls. Well, Nina anyway.”

  “Yep, who else? And they miss you too! You know, you can still come and hang out with us in a bar and not drink.”

  “I’m not sure I’m quite at that stage yet… but how about we all go to yoga tomorrow morning instead? I’ve been invited to a sunrise class on a friend’s rooftop terrace.”

  “It sounds amazing, if a little early….” I hesitate. I really should do more yoga, but… sunrise? On a Sunday? I think not.

  “Oh, come on! It’s good for the body, the mind, and the spirit to get up with the sun.”

  “I’m sure Andrea will go with you,” I offer. I’m not budging on this one.

  “Hmmm, Andrea. I like her. You know I do. But I think you and Nina balance her out a bit. Alone, she can be a little…well, brash.”

  I giggle. Andrea and Danny don’t see eye to eye about a lot of things, and he doesn’t really appreciate her business-like way of solving problems.

  “She’s just not very spiritual,” he goes on. “I mean, she told me that the only reason she practices yoga is for the stretching. She doesn’t get it at all!”

  I just smile. I don’t want to get into a discussion about Andrea right now. Especially when there are more pressing i
ssues to discuss. “Listen, I need to ask you opinion on something?”

  “Shoot,” he says.

  So I tell him how my shoe landed on the Mr. Montfort’s face. His eyebrows fly up into his receding hairline, but he doesn’t say anything until I end with the all-important question, “So what do you think? What would you do in my shoes?”

  He shrugs. “Quite frankly. I wouldn’t do anything.”

  I look at him curiously. “Really?”

  “Yeah. I don’t think you should grovel to your boss or team mates either. You should go in on Monday with your head held high.”

  “Did you actually get the gist of my story? I’ve lost the project that everybody was counting on. My boss was sobbing into his palms when I left his office.”

  “Your boss is too heavily invested in the outcome. He can’t see the forest for the trees.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He sits on a stool and leans his elbows on the island top. “You said your company’s software is miles better than your competitors, right?”

  “Absolutely,” I agree immediately.

  “Then you have nothing to worry about. The way I see it, if Mr. Monfort were going to be petty and not give your company the job because of an unfortunate accident, he wouldn’t have let you carry on. He didn’t get to where is he is today by not putting his company before anything else.”

  I nod and smile slowly. Of course, Danny is right. I knew he would make me feel better. “So you think I should brave it out on Monday.”

  “Hell, yeah. That’s what I’d do.”

  I grin. “Okay, that’s what I will do. Thanks, Danny.”

  He grins back. “That’s my girl. Now, I’ve got to jump in the shower.”

  “Umm…Danny?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I was going to ask you something else too…” I start, tentatively.

  He now looks really curious. “This sounds interesting. What is it?”

  “Well, I kind of have a busy day tomorrow… and I was wondering if you’re going to be around tomorrow evening?”