Page 82 of All I Ask
Derek is the key.
But what if he’s the wrong one? What if this house is another symbol of the dream instead of the reality?
And then I wonder…what if all of this is the one dream that will come true? Am I brave enough to take the risk?
“That’s the thing, sometimes we have to second-guess because our gut can be wrong.” I put as much strength as I have into my voice.
“Stop worrying, Teagan. Trust me. Trust what we feel.”
“It’s not that simple!” I move away from him, needing the space to think straight.
“Why? What’s complicated? We both have feelings for each other. We owe it to ourselves to see what it means.”
“And what about our kids?”
“What about them?”
I shake my head. “Do you really think Everly will want you to date or explore your feelings so soon after her mother’s death? Or what about the fact that of all the people you could choose, you’re choosing the mother of the girl she hates? Then, there’s my daughter…”
Chastity has never asked for anything from me. She’s always appreciated the sacrifices I make. I’ve never once been made to feel like a bad mother in her eyes. It doesn’t matter what my mother or I feel about my life, to Chas, I’m a hero. I’ve given her a roof, happiness, friendship, love, and always made sure she was cared for.
To force her to have to be around Everly feels like it would be a slap in her face.
“I know there are obstacles.”
I laugh. “There are boulders in front of the trail that neither one of us can push.”
“Then we stand in front of the boulder until we’re both strong enough to move it together. I’m asking for a date, Teagan, not forever.”
But somewhere deep in my heart, I know that Derek has always owned my forever.
“One date. One date and you don’t buy this house.”
His smile could brighten the sky if it were dull. “One date, and I’m putting an offer in today.”
One date and then we can go back to just friends.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Derek
Present
“Where are you going?” Everly asks.
“Out.”
She was supposed to be with her friends tonight and it was the perfect chance to leave the house without facing a million questions, but that didn’t happen.
“I see that, but where?”
“Where people are.”
Everly huffs. “Dad.”
“I’m going out with a few friends from high school.” It’s not a lie…completely. I’m going out with Teagan on a date and there could be other people we went to school with there. You never know.
She rolls her eyes. “Let me guess, Teagan Berkeley?”
