Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 102834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Kayla stood closer to Derek than might be considered normal for a friendly acquaintance. Something in my chest clanged painfully, but I forced myself to ignore it. I had no right to feel anything at all about who Derek spent his time with. It was just one of those things. He’d been an important part of my life for a time, and I would always feel a certain claim over him, even if I’d never outright express it. Or maybe my pride was merely wounded by how he’d ignored me at the party.
“Milly?” the barista called again, and I finally dragged my gaze from Derek to step forward and collect my order. The woman handed me a paper bag containing my sweet treats and a cardboard holder to carry the lattes. I took them with thanks and turned to leave. The only problem was I had to walk by Derek and Kayla, who both still stood in the queue. I was suddenly self-conscious about my appearance. I’d thrown on a jumper and leggings before pulling my hair up into a hastily styled ponytail. I hadn’t even bothered to put on any makeup since I hadn’t been expecting to see anyone I knew.
Keeping my head down, I made my way out, but my nerves got the better of me, and I tripped a little before righting myself. The wobble caused some of the foamy milk to pop out of the openings of the coffee lids and spray across the collar of my jumper. Great, just perfect. I tried to retrieve a napkin from the bag with the pastries, but it was impossible without placing the lattes down. My fluster was getting the better of me as I glanced around for an available surface when someone said, “Oh, hello, aren’t you one of Nuala’s friends?”
I knew instantly who’d spoken from the Australian accent as I looked up and found Kayla smiling down at me. Derek, on the other hand, wore no wore expression at all. His gaze was cool and aloof.
“Hi, yes,” I responded, feeling harassed. “Good morning.”
“I’m Kayla. You were at the party the other night, right?” she went on casually, clearly not troubled at all that I was currently dealing with a spilled milk situation. “We never got a chance to be introduced.”
“Yes, I was there. It’s nice to meet you.” I was still overly aware of the milk foam splattered across the collar of my top. “I’m Milly.” I spotted a napkin holder on the nearby counter, but there were too many other customers in the way.
“Bloody hell,” Derek muttered under his breath before he gruffly asked the other customers to let him by and then snatched a wad of napkins from the holder. I wasn’t sure what was happening when, a second later, he was in front of me, carefully dabbing my top clean. I blinked up at him, my cheeks fiery hot as I tried to reconcile how gentle he was being despite the intense disgruntlement marking his features. I could feel his heat, his looming height making me suddenly feel very tiny as he glared at my stained top like it had personally affronted him. Perhaps sensing my attention, his gaze flicked up, and some kind of realisation passed over his features before he silently stepped back and dropped the napkins in a nearby bin.
“Thanks,” I whispered oh so quietly. Kayla wore a vaguely curious expression, presumably wondering why Derek would go out of his way to clean me up instead of just handing me a napkin and letting me do it myself. I was wondering the same thing, but then again, old habits die hard, and it was exactly the sort of thing he’d do for me back in the day. Merely a reflex, I told myself.
“How are you liking your stay so far?” I asked Kayla while ignoring the intensity of Derek’s stare.
Her expression lifted. “Oh, I’ve been having a wonderful time. Derek has been kind enough to show me around the neighbourhood.” I’ll bet. “I’m guessing you two already know each other?” She glanced between us, and Derek made no reply, just stood there silently like someone who’d completely forgotten how to make small talk.
“Um, yes, we do. Derek and I are old friends, but I’ve been living in London for the last eighteen years. I just moved back.”
“Really? Wow, that’s a long time to be away. What made you move home?”
“I wanted to be closer to my parents. They’re getting older now, plus I was offered a job at—”
“Why don’t you order for us, and I’ll help Milly outside?” Derek cut in while deftly taking the latte tray from my hold. Kayla blinked at him then bobbed her head.
“Oh, sure. What would you—”
“Breakfast tea,” he answered before she could finish the question, and then he was ushering me out of the building. A second later, we were on the street.