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)
I nodded. “Besides, I probably would’ve been just as mad at you if you’d devoured a Club sandwich and a slice of baked vanilla cheesecake before placing the room service tray it came on over the note your daughter left, thus creating an unnecessary panic for everyone.”
There was another faint twitch at the corner of his mouth. “Is that what happened?”
“I felt pretty silly about it when I got back last night and realised what I’d done.”
Derek rubbed at his jaw, his gaze searching. “Well, I’m doubly sorry because it turns out Gigi was the mastermind behind the whole outing, and I accused Deirdre of being the bad influence.”
“Yes, well, maybe don’t be so quick to lay blame in future. Also, I hope you aren’t going to cancel Gigi’s birthday party. I’ve just heard that Tara’s making cupcakes and your mother’s handling the savoury treats.”
His lip twitch transformed into a tender smile. “Of course I’m not cancelling it. I’m not a monster.”
A small quiet fell as we just stood there staring at one another. Despite last night’s drama, I noticed he looked much better than he had several weeks ago. His eyes were less bloodshot, his skin brighter. “How have you been?” I asked. “I mean, in general?”
His eyebrows shot up. Clearly, he hadn’t expected me to enquire about his wellbeing. “I’ve been good. Better. Well, aside from the fact that in addition to Gigi going missing last night, I came home to my son on the couch with his arm around a girl.”
“Oh,” I winced. “They weren’t …?”
“No, thank God. They were just watching television. But I did have to have a somewhat awkward conversation with my son this morning about safe sex.”
“And how did he take it?”
Derek grimaced. “As awkwardly as expected.”
“Ouch, well, I guess that’s the job of parenting teenagers.”
“Yep. I thought it was supposed to get easier as they got older, but experience is proving me wrong on that front.”
I chuckled, reaching out on instinct to softly touch his arm. “Pablo’s lucky to have a dad who’s prepared to go through the awkward conversations for the sake of him being fully informed. I know a lot of parents who’d rather bury their heads in the sand about that sort of stuff.”
“Right,” Derek said, his gaze lowering to where I was touching him.
I quickly dropped my hand and cleared my throat. “Well, I guess I’ll see you at the party.”
“Yes, I’ll see you then.”
“Bye, Derek.”
He stepped outside then turned back, his gaze trailing over me before he responded, “Goodbye, Camille.”
When he left, my stomach wouldn’t quit doing somersaults. There just something about a man who could put aside his pride and apologise when it was called for. Not to mention, he had on one of the many suits he wore to work, and I found it difficult not to drool when he was dressed so smartly.
So, my old crush had come back with a vengeance, but it was okay. I just needed to keep it from going too far. Noticing how attractive I found Derek was one thing, but letting my feelings get involved was another, and I was prepared to steel my heart against him. It was the only way not to get hurt because even if he was allowing himself to be my friend again, I knew he’d never love me like he used to. He’d proposed to me, and I’d said no. That kind of rejection caused people to build walls, to resist the thing that once caused them immense pain. I knew it because even though I was the one who’d rejected him, I felt the pain of losing him right down to the very core of my being.
It was something I’d never forget, and if I knew Derek like I thought I did, he wouldn’t either.
***
A few days later, it was time for Gigi’s party. Deirdre was practically bubbling over with excitement since she’d managed to find a rare vinyl edition of an older Purple Beatrice album for a birthday gift. The weather was nice, which was a relief because it was a garden party, and lots of family and friends had been invited. I wore a flower print tea dress and some leather sandals, with my hair down and blow-dried straight.
When we got there, it appeared that a number of guests had already arrived. Deirdre had asked if it were okay for her to sleep over at Gigi’s tonight, but I needed to find Derek and clear it with him first. Nuala and her mother answered the door and welcomed us in. Deirdre immediately sped off, eager to give Gigi her present, while Nuala led me to the kitchen and poured me a glass of wine.
“It’s already hectic,” she said as we wandered out into the garden that was all set up with outdoor furniture and an area for food. There was even a DJ they’d hired to play all of Gigi’s favourite music, which not surprisingly was mostly Purple Beatrice songs. I sat next to Nuala and enjoyed a bite of a fancy cheese pastry when suddenly there was an audible squeal of excitement that came from Gigi. She dashed towards the patio doors leading out into the garden where a beautiful, dark-haired woman had just appeared. She wore skintight jeans and a flowy, low-cut blouse, her gorgeous face free of makeup and her shoulder length hair in glossy waves.