Page 16 of Caramel Apple Cupcake

“Just lay back and enjoy the ride. I got this.” At the first swipe of his tongue against her sensitive lower lips, her head fell back in ecstasy.

“Oh, fuck. Anders,” she sighed.

Her eyes glazed over as he set about showing her exactly why he called her his new favorite caramel apple cupcake. Her creamy center was just what he needed after a long day.

Chapter 9

The week flew by, and suddenly it was time for dinner at her parents’ lavish home. Harper stood outside the grand entrance, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. She could still hear Anders’ words of encouragement in her head as she pressed the doorbell. There was no way she was going to enter on her own. That’s not how her family rolled. And honestly, she didn’t feel as if she were truly part of the family anyway.

One good thing that happened during the week was hearing from her cousin in Boston. Turns out, not only was she married, but she also just had a baby boy. As they caught up with each other, they talked about family expectations and not giving a fuck about what other people thought. After a bit of research, she also found out that there was a reason her father didn’t speak to Camille’s side of the family.

Being an attorney, it should have been an issue that she had family members who were involved in the underbelly of society. It didn’t. Harper had also looked up Camille’s husband, Tristan Lucarelli. And that surprised her even more. Yes, he had legitimate businesses that appeared to be on the up-and-up. But the more she dug around, the more she saw what was behind the veil. Admittedly, that had given her some pause.

Camille hadn’t given anything away herself, but Harper was nosey. It was something about the way her cousin was so vague about her husband that piqued her interest.

It was one thing to have a parent who did nefarious things, but to actively choose to be with a man who was the rumored head of a mafia family? That seemed a bridge too far. But then again, who was she to judge? Her entire focus was living on her own terms. Loving who she wanted. Being the person she was meant to be without apology. If Camille married a man wholiterally treated her like a queen, and everyone around him did the same, who was she to judge that?

Being an attorney did not stop her from being a human being. And right now, she needed a connection with someone she could talk to and just be herself with. They even talked about Camille’s best friend, Shandra. A blurry memory of hearing that name when she was young popped up. Something about her friend always being there for her in the neighborhood. At the time, Harper was too young to understand what that meant. With the people in Camille’s life and knowing what her father did, some of the puzzle pieces were finally coming together.

Either way, with Anders in her life and reconnecting with Camille, Harper was feeling good about things.

And yet, here she was, standing on her parent’s porch, filled with nervous anticipation. Palms sweaty. Knees shaky. She had no idea how or why they affected her this way. They were her parents. It was their job to make sure she was loved and protected. As their child, wasn’t it their job to love her? Well, they sure as shit failed in that area.

Harper decided in that very moment to stop feeling sorry for herself. People had it so much harder than her. Yet, here she was, crying and whining about not being loved enough. She needed to get a fucking backbone with her parents. At least, that was the advice she saw Messy Mandy give to someone earlier this week when they’d written in about being afraid to confront the people who bullied them for years.

“Alright, listen up. You deserve to walk with your head high, not in fear. Bullies thrive on intimidation, but it’s time to flip the script.

Remember who the hell you are. Powerful. Important.

Stand tall, look that bully dead in the eye, and tell them their crap ends now. No need to scream, just be firm: “I’m done with your bullshit.”

If they push back, you stand your ground. Get backup if you need it. Tell someone who’s got your back. You’re not alone in this fight.

Bullies are cowards at heart, trying to feel big by making you feel small.

Handle your business with confidence and grace. You’ve got this.” ~ Mandy

She knew there was a reason she read that gossip column every week. There was nothing like a dose of reality to get her ass up and ready to face the world. Just then, her mother opened the door, her expression caught between surprise and forced politeness. “Harper! Dear, we’re so glad you could join us,” she said, gesturing for her to come inside.

As Harper stepped into the familiar foyer, she noticed the subtle changes in decor and the tense atmosphere that seemed to hang in the air. Her father sat at the head of the table, his face a mask of guarded civility as he acknowledged her arrival.

Her brother sat on one side of the table, and her place setting was on the other side. Another empty plate was there as well. She was curious about it, but didn’t care enough to ask. “RJ,” she greeted her brother.

“Sis. You’re in for a surprise tonight. I hope you’re ready.” His cynical words caught her off guard. He also had a look on his face that resembled pity, but he adjusted his features too quickly for her to be sure.

“Ready for what?” She sat down in the chair as her mother spoke with the housekeeper. “I was told to be here tonight. I’m here. Nothing more. Nothing less.”

“Yeah, well, Mom decided she was tired of you being single. She found you a man.”

Oh, hell no. “I don’t need help in that area. I already have a man. I don’t need to be set up.”

“Well, too late. But I’ll let Mom tell you more.” He cackled with laughter, which grated on her nerves.

Her father harrumphed—something he often did to express his displeasure.

She ignored him tonight. She had Anders on her side. She had Camille supporting her. Although both relationships were new, they provided more for her than her own parents and brother. Just the thought of how she had lived her life for so many years made her disappointed in herself.

She was successful in her own right and didn’t need anyone to tell her how to live.

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