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I expect him to tell me thanks, but no thanks All politeness and business I know he has way , than wait for

And, yes, I used the word moist, because…cake, it’s okay

Instead, of giving me a reserved brush off, he shuts the car door and runs his fingers down my cheek

“I’d love a piece of your cake” The way he says it sends a racing shiver down the center of my back “On one condition”

“What’s that?”

“You serve it to ht now, in your kitchen”

“Uh” I twistupstairs and seeing ement, not to mention my laundry strewn everywhere “You want to come up…”

“Lead the way” His strong body is positioned toward the entrance of the house, his one arm extended forhile his other now rests fir me

“I'et your hopes up”

“That’s alright My mother baked Red velvet is one of those cakes, people love it or hate it I love it It’s quite divisive, as baked goods go”

I whirl around “Oh, man, mine will never be able to measure up to a mother’s cake”

“Don’t be so sure”

His lips pull up just a touch on one side, a flash of those perfectly-imperfect white teeth, and I reach into my purse and fumble for my keys

We ascend, and I turn my head to see his eyes locked onto my rear end

“Be careful on this next step” I nod down tapping ht foot on the loose spot “Stay to the left The center is broken”

“Your landlord needs to fix it” His voice is tipped with anger

“I know I told him about it Like, five times”

Jack grunts as we reach the top of the stairs and I workopen the door

As we step inside, I look at hi note of the lines on his face If I looked up Daddy in the dictionary, it would be his face I’d see, and he’s right here, in my crummy, three hundred square foot abode