“Cupcake. What the fuck, girlie? Can you believe that psycho broke our window out?”

I plop down onto a dining room chair and begin rubbing my head. “Well at least we think it was probably her. I’m so sorry I didn’t call you last night, my mind was all over the place.” I sigh heavily as the image of the hooded figure creeps into my mind.

“No worries, your casual fuck buddy called me when he was on his way over to rescue you. I’m sure he figured you had other things on your mind than reminding your assistant not to show up to work today.” I grunt at the casual fuck buddy reference and spot a piece of paper hanging off the edge of the kitchen counter. I reach over and grab it, noticing my favorite handwriting.

Dylan,

I have no fucking clue how I ever survived not waking up to you. And before you say anything, yes I did try to wake you up to go for a run with me. You were adorably out cold, as usual. Enjoy your day off.

X Reese

P.S. Here’s a spare key if you go out today. Keep it.

Swoon.

“Hey, so listen, I have some phone calls to make to the insurance company and to find someone to put in a security system and a door above the stairs but when I’m done, any chance you could pick me up and take me to Reese’s office?”

“Yeah, sure. I’m pretty bored myself over here since Billy’s gone to work. What’s going on at the office?”

I smile. “Oh you know, the usual. Just me going to finally tell our favorite numbers guy that I’m madly in love with him.” I hear the phone drop and Joey’s insanely high pitched screams.

“DYLAN. Oh my fucking God. Yes, girl, yes. Hurry up and make those stupid phone calls and then text me when you’re ready. Ooohhh I’m bursting over here.”

“And don’t say anything to Juls. I’d hate for her to leak it to Ian who would most likely blab. I feel like those men talk just as much as we do sometimes.”

“Mmmm mmm. Don’t you worry, my lips are sealed on this one. Take care of your shit and then let’s get to the important matters at hand.”

***

I called the insurance company and made sure that I wouldn’t be responsible for any of the damage from the break in. They assured me that the window was in fact being repaired during our phone call and that I would be up and running by tomorrow. Grabbing Reese’s iPad off the bed, I looked up the number to a security system company and got an estimate on a top of the line alarm system to install. Using the commission from Justin’s stupid wedding, I went ahead and arranged for the men to come today and set it up, that way it would also be ready by tomorrow. I wasn’t sure who the hell to call about getting a door put in, so I dialed my parents and held my breath knowing that I was about to get a huge ear full for not having called them last night.

“Oh for Christ’s sake, Dylan. Something horrible could have happened to you. You could have been raped, murdered, Jesus Christ. I can’t believe you’re just now calling us.” My mother’s tirade goes on for a good ten minutes before I’m able to get a word in.

“I know I know. I’m sorry I didn’t call. But I’m fine. Nothing happened and we’re pretty sure we know who it was and the police are looking for her.” Stupid red headed bitch.

“Her? It was a woman? What kind of a woman throws a brick through a store window? Good grief what is the world coming to?”

“Just some ex-girlfriend of Reese’s, Mom. Look, everything is fine. The window is being repaired right now and a security system is being installed today as well. I just need to talk to dad about putting a door in to separate my living space from the bakery.” Which really, I should have done years ago. I just didn’t feel the need to do so until now. That or I could get a guard dog. No, that has to be unsanitary around all those baked goods.

“Ex-girlfriend? Humph, a woman scorned no less. Well, at least you’re safe and this finally makes you put in a well overdue alarm system.” She exhales forcefully. “Here’s your father. Bill, go easy on her, she’s fine.”

“Dylan, sweetheart, you’re alright then?” My dad’s voice is incredibly calm compared to my mother’s, but that’s always been his personality. I definitely get my short fuse from the women in my family.

“Yes, Dad, I’m fine. But I need to get a door installed at the top of the stairs leading from the kitchen. How do I go about doing that?” He immediately goes into Daddy mode and tells me not to worry about it, that he will head to a local hardware store today and purchase a door for me. When I tell him that I can handle it he shuts me up quickly and I let him. I don’t think there is anything my father enjoys more than doing something for me that keeps me safe. After I am reassured that it will be taken care of today, I hang up, text Joey to head on over, and hop in the shower.

I relish in Reese’s shampoo and body wash, letting the steam create a cloud of his yumminess all around me as I clean up. I’m surprisingly not nervous at all about telling him that I love him. After last night, the love making, him telling me that I make him want things he’s never wanted before, I feel empowered to do this. I quickly slip into a pair of jeans and a cute top as a knock on the door sends me dashing through the condo. I fling it open and beam at my assistant.

“AH! I’m soooo excited. Please let me be there when you tell him.”

“What? No way. This is a private moment. You may wait outside.” I slip into my shoes and grab my cell and the spare key Reese left for me, slipping it onto my key ring and locking up behind us. “Okay, let’s do this shit before I lose my nerve.”

**

We stopped by the bakery on the way to his office. The men who were in charge of replacing the window were just finishing up and had me sign a few pieces of paper before they gave it a final wipe down and left. Joey and I both watched the security guys go over how to arm and disarm the system, giving us both the code and a few forms to sign as well before they too hit the road. My mom sent me a text informing me that my father had purchased a door with an insane amount of locks and that he would be stopping by later on today to install it. I wouldn’t have to stick around because other than Joey and myself, my parents also had a key to the bakery. So, after piling back into the civic, we finished the short drive to the Walker & Associates building.

“How nervous are you right now?” he asks me as I sit in the car and try to find out where the fuck all my bravery had disappeared to. We’ve been parked outside the building for at least ten minutes and I haven’t budged.

“Uh, a lot. Maybe this is a bad idea?”

“Fuck that.” My seatbelt is unbuckled for me as he reaches across my body and opens my door, giving me a quick but gentle shove out of the car. “Go do it, Dylan. That man in there loves you fiercely. It’s written all over his beautiful face. But I’m afraid you might be the one to have to say it first. Damn it, I had my money on Reese being the one to crack before you did but, oh well.” I quickly run my fingers through my hair and give him a weak smile. I’m certain he means what he says, no doubt a small wager having gone on between him and Juls. She’ll never let him hear the end of losing to this one.

“Okay, thanks, Joey.” He winks at me as I close the door and walk into the building and towards the back of the lobby where the elevators are lined up. My hands are clenched into fists and I’m shaking a bit, but I’m here and I’m fucking doing this.