They looked at each other in shock, trying to figure out if I was implying something.

I smiled sweetly. “Y’all be careful, okay? Have a good day and look both ways!”

Rosie snorted from next to me and elbowed me lightly. “You know they’re going to tell everyone you threatened to run them over with a bus, right?”

I shrugged. “Maybe I did.”

She looked up at me and a real smile crossed her face for a split second before she regained her composure and her typical scowl. “I’ll see you later.”

I nodded. “Let me know if they give you shit. Bus rentals aren’t too expensive.”

She shook her head and took off down the steps and towards school. I watched for a few more seconds, feeling the same sense of helplessness I always felt over Rosie. I was twenty-four, trying to raise a fifteen-year-old. I was in over my head in so many ways.

Stepping back inside, I shut and locked the door. I went back to my bed with my phone, ready to spend the morning scrolling mindlessly. There were so many things I needed to do. Cleaning, budgeting, shopping, more cleaning, but I just couldn’t do any of it. I felt too overwhelmed. I considered calling my best friend, Gia, but that even seemed like too much in that moment.

There was just something about arguing with Rosie that exhausted me. Between that and worrying about how other kids treated her, I was tired before I’d even gotten started with my day.

I’d wasted an hour or two looking through recipes for cupcakes when a call came in from a number I didn’t recognize. It was only the hope for a new client that made me answer. I put on my professional voice and answered with a bright hello.

“I had one of your cupcakes last night. You’re talented.”

CHAPTER 3

Sonnie

I sat up and felt an odd rush of endorphins from hearing the familiar voice on the other end of the line. Brown Eyes. “How’d you get my number?”

“Do you want honesty or something sexier?”

I bit back a smile. “Honesty. Always.”

“I bribed the other bartender.” He cleared his throat. “Yep. I’m not exactly proud of myself, but I’m not sorry, either.”

Scoffing, I hugged my pillow to my chest. “Shannon gave you my number because you bribed her?Andshe gave you one of the cupcakes?”

“I paid for both. We didn’t clarify the bribe up front so I paid her for just your name at first. She really made me work to get your number. I hope it’s less creepy and more flattering, but I’m afraid it’s leaning towards more creepy.” He sounded like he was smiling, despite somewhat scolding himself. “Your cupcake, though. It was fucking delicious.”

I found myself smiling and flopped back in bed. “Thank you. Did you call for an order of cupcakes?”

His laugh was low and husky. “As much as I liked the cupcake, I’m calling for you. I know you said you didn’t grab drinks with customers, but I’ll make a promise to you that I’ll never come back to the bar. Problem solved.”

My blush was childish but it’d been a long time since anyone madeanyeffort for me, so I was more than a little flattered that the drop-dead sexy stranger from the night before had worked to get in touch with me. “What’s your name?”

“Now we’re getting somewhere. Drake. And I know your name is Sonnie Morgan, but I especially think Cupcake is more than fitting after knowing how talented you are.”

“Drake. What if I just said I don’t date customers to let you down easy last night?”

“Wrong direction, Cupcake.” He was definitely still grinning. “Let’s focus on the way you saved me last night. I should properly thank you for that, over dinner and drinks.”

I laughed. “You thanked me last night. If anything, we should focus on how handsy you were with your hero.”

“You’re walking into this one, Cupcake. I’d love to talk about how handsy I was. In graphic detail. Since I’m a gentleman, however, I’ll refrain.”

“Oh, my god. You’re impossible.” I felt my bed shift lightly and looked down to see Monster staring at me with a pair of my panties in his mouth. “Drop those, you little pervert!”

Monster spit out my panties and proceeded to rip me a new one in a series of angrymeows. He was as sick of my shit as I was of his. Apparently, my refusal to let him eat my panties was his limit.

“What the fuck is that sound?” Drake sounded genuinely concerned for me and I was thankful someone was finally paying attention to the terror that was Monster.