Page 82 of Why Not Now?

“The first time we slept together? Vaguely.”

I laugh and smack his shoulder. He captures my hand and presses a kiss to my fingers, not letting go after. We don’t speak as I listen to the music, remembering our first date and some of the drives we would take just to get out of our houses and spend some time alone. He pulls into a parking lot as the third song ends and a fourth one begins that makes my heart clench.

It doesn’t get further than the first few piano chords before Derek turns the car off.

“We’re here,” he says.

I turn to him, emotions swelling within me, from the dress to the shoes to the jewellery, and now the song and the memory that comes with it. Derek’s arms around my waist, my arms around his neck as we dance. His face pressed into my neck as he whispered to me—

“Ready to go in?”

I blink, dispelling the memory, finally noting where we are. I gasp. “Are we going to seeThe Nutcracker?”

He grins. “You got it, sweetheart.”

I hop out of the car before he can come and open the door. I skip around to link my arm in his and he laughs, kissing my temple.

“I thought you’d like it,” he says, leading me toward Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

“I’ve always wanted to see it.”

“I know,” he says. “I was going to bring you that last year, but your parents were taking you to visit your aunt in Alberta before Christmas. So I was going to take you the next year, but…” he trails off and shrugs. “When I came up with this whole Christmas thing, I assumed you hadn’t gotten around to going yourself over the past few years and this was the one thing I wanted to take you to. I called Nessa right after to figure out if she could still get me tickets.”

“Nessa?”

“Carter’s wife.”

We arrive at the doors and he shows our tickets, then we’re inside among the crowd. My heart is racing with excitement. I can’t believe we’re here.

“Would you like a glass of wine or a program or both?” he asks.

I look up at him. He’s already spent so much money on me for today, even knowing he didn’t pay for the tickets to the show. I touch the necklace again.

“Are these real?” I ask.

He turns so we’re facing each other and tugs my body flush against his. “Yes. Those are real—small—diamonds, and those are real emeralds. And yes, you are worth every single penny I spent on them and I’m not taking them back. They’re beautiful on you. Now. Do you want some wine or a program or both?”

I blink away the tears and kiss him, allowing myself to lean in to his warm strength.

“Both,” I say. “I would love both.”

Chapter 26

Derek

I’mnotexactlysurehow, especially given how late I’d asked for the tickets, but Nessa got me excellent seats. I also couldn’t say if I actually liked the ballet or not since I spent most of the night watching Ava watch the show, sitting on the edge of her chair, attention rapt. Her hand finds mine a number of times, squeezing my fingers in excitement. I make a mental note to ask Nessa when the next ballet is going to be, so I can bring Ava again. Maybe also to some musicals and plays this year. Ava had always been a fan of live theatre, but we’d so rarely gone when we were younger since we didn’t have a lot of disposable income. That’s not a problem for me anymore and I want to make it up to her now.

During intermission, I get my chance to ask Nessa about future ballets because she finds us while Ava drinks a second glass of wine and I introduce them. After an injury a couple years ago, Nessa doesn’t dance anymore, taking more of a leadership role at the dance troupe. She asks how Ava likes the show and Ava goes on and on about how beautiful it is. Before Nessa leaves us, she says, “Oh. Carter wanted to know how you’re liking the car and if you’ve had any problems with it.”

“It’s been great,” Ava says. “No issues at all.”

“Good. He was worried about the battery lines or something, but said the new one he put in should have solved the issue it was having.”

“I wasn’t aware there had been any issue with the battery,” Ava says.

I hold my breath, waiting for what Nessa is going to say next. Waiting for her to mention that I paid for the maintenance on the car before Ava bought it.

Instead, she waves her hand. “I’m sure it wasn’t a big deal. I have to get back. Bye.”

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