Page 73 of Inevitable Inheritance

“Fine!” Nan huffed in irritation, spinning around and heading to the kitchen. “Come in here and eat then. But,” she warned, turning back to face them, “you need to call if you are going to be ridiculously late again!”

“Yes, ma’am,” they all responded in unison and followed her like baby ducklings to the kitchen to get their food. Taylor smiled to herself, though. She hadn’t been mothered in a long time, and Nan’s behavior made her feel surrounded by love. It ended up being the perfect ending to her whole day.

Chapter Eighteen

Taylor gotup at six the next morning to get a jump-start on the day. Nan was already whistling in the kitchen when Taylor made her way down. It was as if she had never left.

“Good morning, Taylor!” she said in surprise. “You look wonderful, but did you get any rest?” she asked, concerned and checking Taylor from head to toe.

Taylor smiled at her, “Yes, I did get rest. I was exhausted. And now I have to get in there again and continue the cleanup,” she explained, making her way over to a coffee pot.

“I can make that for you,” Nan said from her spot at the stove, wiping her hands on her apron and turning to where Taylor was.

“No, no,” Taylor said, ready for an argument, “I like to do it.”

“Okay,” Nan said easily and turned back to her task. Taylor heaved a sigh of relief. She had been so stressed that Nan was going to baby her; she felt some relief in knowing that wasn’t the case. She had sent Henry a text while she attempted to do her makeup to the caliber that Marty had yesterday, and he came through the back door while Taylor was pouring her black gold goodness in a mug.

“Morning, Aunt Nan,” he said, giving Nan a quick kiss on the cheek. “And good morning, Taylor. Good news—the penthouse is ready for you and Mr. Fletcher to move back into.”

Taylor gaped at Henry, and then her hand was burning because she was pouring hot coffee on it. “Ow!” she exclaimed and then dropped the pot on the floor, breaking it. “Oh shit. Sorry!”

Quickly Nan had her hand wrapped in a towel, and Henry was turning on a faucet.

“I’m sorry,” she muttered again as they fussed over her. “It’s okay. I don’t think it left a mark,” she told them, examining her hand.

“What’s going on?”

Taylor, Nan, and Henry all turned away from their huddle and looked at Derrick, shirtless, wearing only pajama bottoms. He came straight at them.

“N-nothing,” Taylor stuttered, ripping her stare from his chest and taking an intense interest in her reddened hand. “I spilled coffee,” she murmured.

Derrick shouldered between Taylor and Henry and grabbed her hand. He gingerly turned it over in his. He threw his milk-chocolate gaze to her. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yes,” Taylor whispered as she stared at him. What was it about him that had her so completely transfixed? It wasn’t his body because at that moment all she could see was his eyes, and the concern written all over his face.

“How did this happen?”

“Little Henry here was just telling her your penthouse was ready for you both to move back into,” Nan chimed in, looking not even subtly suspiciously at Derrick.

Derrick’s brow shot up. “It’s ready?” he asked Henry, as he continued to hold and examine Taylor’s hand.

“Yes, Mr. Fletcher. You can both go back whenever you wish,” Henry confirmed.

Derrick nodded, his eyes locked on Taylor. “Okay. I think I will stay there tonight and leave Taylor here,” he said. “She is still freaked about it not being safe enough.”

Taylor felt her mouth fall open.

“Sounds good, Mr. Fletcher,” Henry said.

Derrick held Taylor’s eyes as he ducked his head and kissed her hand, then kissed her lips, “Have a good day at work. I’ll see you at lunch,” he said.

Taylor felt herself nod. “Thank you,” she breathed, and then she yanked her hand away and strode to out of the kitchen, eager to get away from Derrick’s spell.

* * *

Derrick watchedTaylor leave and then walked over to help Nan pick up the pieces of the shattered coffee pot on the floor. As he crouched next to her, Nan looked at him and cocked her head.

“What?” Derrick asked.

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