Page 47 of Why Not Now?

Adalie shrugs. “Of course. Ooh! If you take transit, you could come over the bridge and we can take the bus together from my place.”

Derek’s smile has finally returned at Adalie’s suggestion. “Sounds like a plan.”

“How long until your car is fixed?” Adalie asks me.

“I’m not fixing it. Derek’s mechanic said it wasn’t worth it, so he’s going to try to find me a new one.”

“If Carter says it’s not worth it, I would trust him,” Adalie says with a nod.

“You know Derek’s mechanic?”

“He’s my mechanic, too. Vic goes to the dealership. Apparently, when you buy a brand new Mercedes, that’s the preferred place to take it.” She rolls her eyes. “I think Lis goes to Carter as well.”

“Her car is pretty new,” Derek says. “They just bought one when she moved in to Spencer’s place. But I think she was planning to take it to him for oil changes and stuff.”

We get off the bus and start walking toward the waterfront and Canada Place.

“Are we going to the Christmas Market?” I ask.

I haven’t been to the outdoor market in years, but I can hear the Christmas music even before I see it.

Derek grins at me. “Figured it out, did you?”

“This is another thing with an admission,” I say.

“Yes. But, to be fair, I already have a season pass. This is my third time this year. The four of us get season passes every year.” He looks at Adalie. “Five now, I guess.”

She nods. “Spencer, Lis, Vic, and I are coming back Thursday.”

“Why are you going back so soon?” I ask. “And why isn’t Derek invited?”

“We need to get a present for someone,” she says, casting a glance at Derek. “Be aware, I am paying attention tonight.”

He laughs. “I promise to point out a few things.”

I shiver from the cold and Derek pauses to put up the hood on my coat, then settles his arm around my shoulders.

We get into the season pass holder line and I turn to him. “Can I be in this lane?”

“You have a season pass, so yes. I’ll email it to you so you can come without me if you want.”

“Derek,” I whisper-shout. “Why did you pay the extra for a season pass for me?”

“I had a regular one before, but when I realized we’d have to stop at Carter’s shop, I switched it. The regular one, you have to choose your time, and I wasn’t sure how long it would take.”

“It’s a waste of money. I’m not going to go again.”

He shrugs. “Maybe you will. Maybe I’ll take you and Lacey.”

“Who’s Lacey?” Adalie asks, cutting off my argument.

I take a breath. The money is spent already. There’s nothing I can do about it now. But I’m uncomfortable again. I tell Adalie about my sister and we pass into the Christmas Market. I trail off as I notice the carousel right in front.

Derek squeezes my shoulder. “Wanna go for a ride?” he asks suggestively.

“No. I don’t need to ride on a carousel.”

“Come on, Ava. Who are you trying to fool?”

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