Shaking herself out of it, she made her way around the back as per her sister’s instructions. Ava and Eric had been together for five years, but somehow, anytime his parents had one of their fancy get-togethers, Cherisse had either been hands-deep in flour and too busy to attend, or she’d been away from the island on pastry chef business. Finally, their schedules had synced. Besides, it wasn’t like she could miss her sister’s swanky engagement party.

She looked down at herself. A cute floral crop top and a matching skirt that made the entire thing look like one whole dress, and those damn death heels. Still snazzy, though, if a bit dinged now. Good. She’d worn her hair in loose waves today. The trip to the hairdresser for a wash, steam, and set on Friday had it shiny, bouncy, and smelling amazing. She looked good and was ready to mingle.

She pushed open the little gate that led to the big back yard, smile in place, and ran right into someone so hard she almost lost hold of the boxes again.

“Jesus f—” She bit off the almost-curse immediately, but when her eyes landed on the offender, she wanted to truly let the f-bomb fly.

“The Sugar Queen’s late to her own sister’s engagement party? Didn’t think Her Royal Sweetness would know how to be tardy.” The casual drawl heated her blood immediately.

No. Jesus, Lord, why? Why was she being tested this way?

Today had started off bad enough. Hungover from too much peopling at last night’s charity event for the Arts, she’d woken up super-late, in a panic, because she’d overslept and gotten a late start on the cake and assorted desserts for the engagement party. She’d hustled her ass, having to improvise a bit. The cake turned into one layer instead of the planned two with the assorted cupcakes, which she’d snazzed up with fancy cupcake holders. She’d sent the cake stand ahead with her best friend and roommate, Remi. Everything would be assembled when she got there. Cherisse had texted Ava to let her know she was a tad late, but she hoped Remi would be a good distraction for a while.

She’d dealt with all that just fine. Mostly. She was thankful the party was set for evening rather than afternoon. She’d still arrived an hour late, which chafed at her always-punctual soul, but this? No, no, no!

“What the hell are you doing here?” she demanded.

His smile was the same as she remembered: annoying and even. His teeth had always been straight and perfect, which made her even more aware of her slightly crooked bottom ones, not that she’d ever tell him that. His grin flashed bright against his brown skin, and Cherisse was close to bashing him in the face with the dessert boxes. But she reeled in the urge. She wasn’t about to ruin the damn cakes after she’d spent all that time making them.

“Did you crash this party?”