Page 4 of Why Not Now?

Oh. We’renotpretending we don’t know each other. Cool. Excellent.

I turn back to him. He has his hands shoved in his pockets and his shoulders hunched like he’s almost as uncomfortable as I am.

“Uh. Yeah. Sort of. I’ve been in and out of it.”

It strikes me as funny how that statement is true and yet tells such a small part of the story of the last eight and a half years of my life. How everything had come to a screeching halt and only now seems to be starting up again.

I take another couple pictures, looking down at the screen before making an adjustment and taking the next ones.

Then I blurt, “I thought you were going to be a doctor.”

His face splits into a grin as he relaxes and laughs—actually laughs. The sound takes my breath away, just like it always did.

“No. Turns out, I hate chemistry. Stuck with it way longer than I should have. But Mom always said I could be a doctor.” He rolls his eyes in obvious affection. “I went into business.”

“That’s… quite a change.”

“Led me here.” He shrugs. “I kind of like it here.”

We lapse into silence, and I take another couple of pictures.

“Have you worked here long?” I ask.

“Since the beginning. I’m a part owner.”

Owner. So not only would I be seeing him any time I do a wedding with Cindy, he’s my boss’ boss. Great. Perfect. Thanks, Universe.

We lapse into an uncomfortable silence. I’m finished with the pictures until the wedding party arrives. So I stand there, looking at Derek, holding my camera like a shield between us. After a moment that drags on, I say, “Well, this is awkward. Where are those brides?”

“Ava,” he says. “It doesn’t have to be.”

“We’re going to see each other at every wedding. You don’t think that’s going to be weird?”

“I’m not usually at the weddings. My job is almost always done before the vows, and I mostly stay downstairs. Tonight is different because it’s Daze and Sophie.”

“What makes them so special?” I ask lightly, but I’m very curious.

“Daze is Lis’ sister.”

“And Lis is dating Spencer.”

“Yes. She also works here. She’s our head chef.” He lets out a breath and runs a hand through his hair, shoving his curls into disarray. “Look. What happened between us is ancient history, right? There’s no reason it has to affect us or a working relationship now. Eight years is a really long time.”

Eight years, seven months, and three days, but who’s counting?

“You’re right,” I say out loud. “We’re both adults. There’s no reason we can’t work at the same place. We’ll probably barely see each other. Right?”

“Right. It’ll be fine.”

The smile he gives me is a little bit off, not quite the teasing, joy-filled grin I remember. But then, Derek is a different person now. Just like I’m a different person. He’s changed.

Maybe we’d been in love once upon a time. Now, we’re little more than strangers.

Chapter 2

Derek

WhenSpencerbringsthebrides up to the roof for a few extra photos in the moonlight, I make my escape from Ava’s presence. I’d had to psych myself up to approach her with any measure of calm before bringing her up to the roof.

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