Page 106 of All I Ask
As much as I would like to believe for her I could, I don’t know that I’d have been strong enough to do it. Derek is the man that I want. He’s who I’ve been waiting for. We both have spent so much time apart, and if he had never returned, I would have survived just fine. Now though, I know what it’s like to be in his arms, kiss him, and have him here again.
I know what comfort he brings when I’m having a bad day and I can call him. I know what silly lunch dates and text messages are. I’ve gotten the opportunity to experience what we were too stupid to look for before.
“Just don’t ask me to be nice to her if this works out.”
I smile, wrap my arm around her shoulder, and pull her close. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
***
Tonight is going to be another real date for us. Only this time, we’re staying in. Chastity is sleeping over at a friend’s house and Derek is on his way here.
I’m nervous.
We won’t be in public and I have no one to rush home for. I would be anxious about him seeing my home, but I saw the house of dolls and he can’t say a damn thing now. I plan to use that any chance I get.
I hear the car door shut and I rush to greet him.
When I open it my heart begins to race. He looks so good when he’s not even trying. He’s wearing a pair of jeans that fit him in all the right places, his polo shirt is tight enough for me to see the muscles in his arms. God, he’s freaking hot.
“Hi,” I say with a smile.
“Well, this is nice.”
“What?”
He takes a step forward, and kisses me. “You meeting me at the door.”
“I like that you like me meeting you. Come in.”
We head up the stairs to the tiny apartment that I both love and hate. It’s small, which I hate, but I’ve busted my ass to make this place look the best possible. We may be poor, but we fake being rich very well.
“This place is so you, Tea. Seriously, it’s exactly like I pictured it.”
I look around at the cool gray-colored slate floor and the rich-looking ivory curtains that go from the ceiling to the floor to make it appear bigger. Everything in this place is secondhand, but Chas and I spent time repurposing the furniture. The kitchen table was an old barn door that I sanded down and then added legs to. It cost me ten dollars total. The chairs, dressers, end tables, are all thrift store that I painted or upholstered where I could.
I’m proud of this place.
“I’m going to take that as a good thing.”
He wraps his arms around my waist. “It is.”
“Good.” My fingers play with the collar of his shirt. “I missed you.”
“I saw you yesterday.”
“Yes, but that was just to pick up Everly.”
Which was very interesting to say the least. The girls had to work on their project, since it’s due next week and apparently, they have to do it here. They’re doing something with the power of social media and using the antique store as the subject. It makes no sense to me, but according to Chastity, people of my age group don’t get it.
I guess they’re taking photos of something and posting it on three sites to see which has the greater impact.
They seemed to be getting along, and I stayed out of the way as much as I could.
“I know you said she behaved, but did she really?”
It’s clear Everly doesn’t particularly like me, which is her choice. I can’t imagine I would like anyone my father dated if my mother died.
“She was fine. I stay out of her way when I can, since I know she hates me.”
