Page 79 of The Wrong Side Of Us

I groaned. “Are you kidding me? Why?”

“I was pissed.” He shrugged. “So I guess it can be a thank you/apology dinner.”

I rolled my eyes. “Is he okay?”

Nathan seemed offended. “I’m your fiancé, and you’re asking about him?”

I raised my eyebrows. “I know you know how to fight. I don’t know about Derek. So is he okay?”

“I mean…I guess he has a broken nose.”

Was he smiling?

I shot him a hateful look, crossing my arms over my chest, far too pissed to waste any more time arguing with him. He seemed to be having the time of his life.

“I don’t see anything amusing about this,” I hissed.

He stood, placing his hands on my hips, the smirk never leaving his lips. All the while my anger was soon forcing tears to my eyes, tears that I was desperately trying to blink away. I averted my gaze, but he didn’t let me, his grip soon on my chin.

“Are you crying?” he asked.

“No.” I shook my head, biting my lip as a tear ran down my cheek. Nathan smiled, running his thumb tenderly over my cheek.

“Hormones?” he asked me softly, all amusement gone. As much as he liked teasing me, Nathan despised seeing me cry.

I shrugged, leaning into his hand. “I don’t want you to fight. I hate the thought of you getting hurt.”

“But I didn’t get hurt.” His gray eyes pierced through me. “Is this about him? That the fight was with him?”

Again, I shrugged.

“Text him,” he murmured. “I do want to apologize to him. I was an ass to you, to him, and he didn’t deserve it. But I also want to have an honest conversation with Derek, see what he has to say.”

“Really?” I asked in slight disbelief. “You’d do that for me?”

“I’d do anything for you.” The words rolled off his tongue with no hesitation. It was true, he’d always done so much for me, never giving anything a second thought. He loved me completely and without reservations.

I pressed my lips to his firmly, hoping he felt every bit of the love I had for him. He smiled against my mouth but didn’t break the kiss as he carried me back to the bedroom.

***

Me: Hey Derek :) It’s Evie…Guess who wants us all to meet up? Nathan!!! :D

Let me know what time works for you, I have some other news I want to share.

See you soon!

I set my phone on my lap, eagerly waiting for Derek’s reply. For some reason, letting him know about my engagement with Nathan made me feel very excited. I knew in my heart Derek would be happy for me; I had never denied my relationship with Nathan, and his behavior the last time I saw him made it more than clear he wanted a sincere friendship with me.

I always did admire someone who could own up to their mistakes. The fact he’d told me he had bad intentions won my trust over. My instinct told me Derek was a good man, a bit misunderstood, but good nonetheless.

“Has he replied?” Nathan asked, taking my hand in his as he drove.

“No, he hasn’t. He will, though.”

I saw the doubt plastered all over Nate’s face. Whatever argument they’d had, it was obvious that he didn’t believe that Derek would meet with us.

When we arrived at the gallery, Nathan practically rushed inside, calling Jessica and Thomas over. I laughed, already knowing what he was going to do.

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