“My champion?”
She leaned her back against the refrigerator. “Look, I got an instant good vibe from you the first minute we met in the hall the other night. That doesn’t happen often. I told you I don’t have any girlfriends. The women I’ve met in the business world tend to be paranoid and too desperate to be good friends with anyone.”
“That’s sad.”
She waved away my concern. “Hell, they probably think the same of me. Anyway, yes, when Derek and I met, we tried to read each other. It’s what you learn to do in an instant in the field. Your first instincts can save your life. So I knew he was looking at me and thinking, Does she really want to be Brooklyn’s friend or is she going to use her? Hurt her? Betray her?”
I shook my head. “You can’t honestly believe he was thinking all that.”
“Yes, I can, because I was thinking the same thing of him. Is he good enough for you? Does he treat you right?”
“Of course he does.”
“I know,” she said, smiling. “I got that from him almost instantly.”
I was taken aback. “You figured all that out in two seconds?”
“Yes. We both did.” She smiled. “He’s madly in love with you, Brooklyn. It’s lovely to see. You have no reason to ever doubt him.”
“I-I don’t.” And I really didn’t. Still, it was nice to hear.
“Good.” She gave me a fierce hug. “Now I need more champagne.”
I pointed toward the stairs to the roof, where the ice chest was. She wandered off to replenish her drink and chat with the other guests.
Over dinner, I had tried to pace myself so I would have room for a cupcake. It wasn’t easy because everything was so delicious. But I’d had my eye on one of those red velvet delicacies from the moment Alex had showed up and I had no intention of missing my chance at it.
Neither did anyone else. As we all bit into our chosen treats, the oohs and aahs and orgasmic moans made us all laugh.
“This was so worth the wait,” Suzie said. She used her napkin to whisk away bits of coconut clinging to her lips and cheeks.
Vinnie sighed. “I have reached nirvana.”
The cream cheese frosting on top of my red velvet cupcake had been whipped until it glistened. Its gravity-defying peaks curled and twisted every which way and I almost hated to take a bite and destroy its dramatic beauty, but I managed to get over my hesitation and was not disappointed.
“Oh, dear God,” I whispered. The cupcake was sweet, creamy, and substantial but not heavy, with a melt-in-your-mouth lusciousness that sent waves of delight to every single one of my taste buds.
It might have been the best thing I’d ever tasted, but I couldn’t be sure. So I took another bite. And another. I looked around at all the smiling, frosting-smeared faces and had to laugh.
Derek met my gaze and nodded. “Best party ever.”
? ? ?
Lisa and Henry Chung had left to put their sleepy children to bed. Suzie had taken Lily home, too, while Vinnie insisted on staying to help me clean up. Alex stayed, too, after having packaged up cupcakes for everyone to take home.
“I would love a tour of your bookbinding workshop one of these days,” she said.
“Anytime you want,” I said as I filled the dishwasher. “There’s not much to it.”
“You’re used to it, but I’ve never seen anything like it before. It’s fascinating.”
“Oh, it is,” Vinnie agreed, as she stacked several clean serving dishes in one of the wide bottom drawers. “And when you think of all the nefarious creatures who have broken in and tossed the place, it makes it even more exciting.”
Alex gaped at me. “Vinnie told me you’d cornered a killer or two, but she never mentioned that some of them had actually broken into your home.”
I flashed Vinnie a sardonic smile. “I’m surprised you left out that part.”
Vinnie blinked and her cheeks turned pink. “Please do not despise me, Brooklyn. I let my tongue get away from my brain.”
“I was teasing you,” I said hastily. “It’s fine to let Alex know about the break-ins so she’ll be more careful.”
Alex jumped in. “Vinnie’s covering for me. It’s all my fault for being so nosy. Sergio told me about some of your exploits before I moved in. He considered it an extra perk of living here.”
“A perk, huh?” I shook my head. “I love Sergio, but they’re hardly my exploits. It’s not like I go out looking for trouble. More like me having a gift for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Brooklyn, you are much too modest,” Vinnie insisted. “Everyone knows how heroic you are.” She twisted her fingers nervously. “And since Alex explained that Sergio had already given her a hint of your audacious spirit, I felt it best not to mention the break-ins but instead assure her that she would never be in danger living with you nearby.”