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He yawns.

“Rude.”

But I’m too excited to care. I have to tell someone.

Clarissa and her siblings are already gone for the day, and my first instinct is to call Mom.

Except I don’t. Because I know exactly what I want her to say.

I’m proud of you, Belinda.

And I’m not sure I can handle it when, predictably, she doesn’t.

So instead, my thoughts go somewhere far more dangerous.

And that is right next door.

Fine. I’m a big girl. I can admit it.

I want to tell Damian. I want to share this with someone I care about.

Someone I haven’t been able to stop thinking about since he kissed me.

Someone I’m starting to have actual feelings for.

Dammit.

I contemplate it for a minute. Then, I come up with a plan so my dropping by isn’t so strange.

What’s that old saying about the best way to a man’s heart? His stomach? Works for me.

So I bake. A lot.

Red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese filling and frosting. Then extra-dark devil’s food cupcakes filled with marshmallow cream and topped with chocolate ganache.

Red and black.

Damian’s colors.

It isn’t intentional.

Mostly.

Besides, Halloween is almost here. Why not bring a treat to the Devil who lives next door?

“Oh my Goddess, I’m so corny.”

Sparky meows.

“Keep it to yourself.”

Damian isn’t home.

I know because I knock.

Twice.

Okay, four times.