Page 5 of Why Not Now?

I go back to ignoring her as best I can for the rest of the night, though I know where she is every second. The party is in full swing: everyone is dancing, the speeches are done, the cake has been cut, everything is operating smoothly. I’ve danced with Adalie a few times, even convincing Vic to join us for one song. I’ve danced with Kelly a few more times, as well. She’s fun and very gay, which makes her a perfect dance partner. I never hook up with guests at our events, anyway.

Unfortunately, Lis and Daze’s cousin Marie doesn’t seem to get this message even though I’ve told her about half a dozen times. She goes so far as to spill her full glass of red wine over my black dress shirt, then offers to help me change it. I remove myself from the situation and find Lis and Spencer.

“I’m going to take off,” I tell them.

“Is everything all right?” Spencer asks.

“Marie spilled wine on me. I’m soaked.”

Lis covers her mouth, but I’m pretty sure it’s to hide a smile because her eyes are sparkling with amusement. “Oh, Derek, I’m so sorry. I heard her talking about you, which is why I brought Kelly over. Marie had a bit more to drink tonight than she probably should have.”

“Did she dump it on you, or did she spill it?” Spencer asks.

“She dumped it. She offered to go downstairs and help me change.”

Spencer snorts. “What did you say?”

“I told her I don’t keep extra clothes here. So she said she’d clean these for me. Then made some suggestions regarding what we could do while we wait for them to dry.”

I shift, a little uncomfortable in my wet clothes.

“I have an extra shirt in my office,” Spencer offers.

“Nah. I’ll change when I get home. I’ll say goodbye to Daze and Sophie and take off.”

Lis laughs. “Don’t bother. I saw them sneak off a while ago. They’re probably fucking in one of the rooms downstairs.” She holds my shoulder to reach up and plant a kiss on my cheek. “Thanks for all your help with the wedding.”

“No problem. It was my job.”

“I know. I still think everyone went above and beyond for my sister’s wedding and I’m grateful.”

“Just wait until it’s yours,” I say with a wink, leaving them before they can respond. They’re not engaged, but it’s only a matter of time.

I head down to the ground floor and grab my jacket from my office. September nights are cold, and the wine is sticky.

I make my way to the lobby, where Ava is talking to someone. I can’t quite hear what she’s saying, but it doesn’t sound like a fun conversation. I pause in the staff lounge just off the lobby and eavesdrop.

“I’m sorry,” Bethany, the other photographer, is saying.

“No. It’s fine. It’s an emergency. Go. I can take transit home.”

No fucking way.I’m startled by the vehemence of the thought. But I don’t question it. There is no way I’m letting Ava take transit. Not with all the camera equipment she has on her. I step out of the staff lounge.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

The two women turn to me. Bethany shoots a look between me and Ava, and I wonder what she knows about our past relationship. Then she says, “My grandfather fell tonight. They said he’s going to be okay, but they took him to Vancouver General and I want to go make sure. I was supposed to drive Ava home.”

“I’ll take her.” I say it without hesitation and both women seem shocked. I am, too, but I don’t take it back.

Then Ava shakes her head. “No. It’s not necessary. I’ll just take transit.”

“To Kensington?” I ask. If Bethany didn’t know about our past relationship before, she’s sure going to ask about it later now that I’ve mentioned the neighbourhood where Ava and I grew up. “With that gear? Unless you’ve moved. How long is the bus trip out there at this time of night?”

It takes a moment for her to respond.

“I haven’t moved,” she says. “And it’s at least an hour.”

“Well?” Why does it matter so much that she accepts my help in this?

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