Page 74 of Why Not Now?

But Lacey jumps up, squeezing Ava in a tight hug, then me.

“I’m so happy for you guys,” she says. “This is awesome. When are you guys getting married? Are you going to move in with us, Derek?”

I laugh. “Woah, now. Slow down, Ace. I’m glad you’re happy, but this thing is still new.”

Lacey sits back down in front of the menus, smiling so wide and wiping tears from her eyes. I’m suddenly worried about how Lacey will take it if Ava and I don’t work out again.

Then she says with confidence, “You’ve always belonged with us, Derek. You guys will get married one day.”

Ava chuckles, changing the subject back to dinner while I’m left thinking about the little box I’ve kept in my top dresser drawer for almost nine years.

Chapter 23

Ava

Wepickupmynew car the next day, and it’s really cute. Not that it’s a requirement, but it is nice. It’s white, and, as Carter promised, drives well and there’s nothing wrong with it.

We go back to Derek’s house, where I stay for a few hours, since it’s his birthday. We didn’t have plans, but I make him dinner and we sleep together before I have to get home to Lacey.

On Wednesday and Thursday, I work both jobs, so I don’t get to see him at all. Friday, he comes over after work and hangs out with Lacey while I edit photos. It’s surprising how nice it feels just knowing he’s there. They make dinner, we eat together, and he spends the night, kissing my neck to wake me early in the morning before we have slow, lazy sex. After, while I’m showering, I find myself wishing I could wake up like that more often.

He fell back asleep while I was in the shower, which isn’t a problem since I have to leave for work, anyway. I kiss him before I go and he grabs me, pulling me into the bed again. I giggle as he peppers kisses over my face.

“Derek, I have to leave.”

“Go on then,” he says, still holding me, still kissing my neck.

I laugh, batting him away. “I can’t if you keep doing that.”

“You think that’s going to make me stop?”

I push him off me and get up, but he grabs my hand, sitting up. “I can walk you out to your car.”

“You’re naked, Derek. Go back to sleep. I’ll be home around one and you can take me to do whatever surprise Christmas activity you have planned for today.”

I press a kiss to his lips, holding his face between my hands. Then I let him go and head out to my car.

The restaurant is extremely busy, keeping my mind occupied all shift, making the time fly past until I’m done and returning home, surprised to find the place empty.

I call Derek, and Lacey answers.

“Are you home already?” she asks.

“Yes. Where are you guys?”

“We went to Derek’s place to feed Abyss. We were trying to be back before you got home. We’ll be there in five.”

“Okay. I’ll see you in a bit.” I hang up, telling myself there’s no reason to be disappointed they weren’t here when I got home. It’s silly to feel this way, and Derek needs to take care of his cat. I change out of my work clothes and into a pair of skinny jeans and a grey sweater with evergreen trees at the hem and snowflakes all over, my nod to the Christmas season.

Lacey and Derek are back by the time I get upstairs, Lacey’s eyes alight with excitement.

“What?” I ask.

Then I notice the present under the Christmas tree.

“We also got you something,” Lacey says.

“You didn’t…” I begin, but Lacey bounces off the couch.

---