Page 62 of Prudence
Gigi groaned. “I really wanna do both trips. When Mam visited for my birthday, it wasn’t nearly long enough. She could only stay for one night.”
I felt bad being relieved that her mother had only stayed for one night. Gigi clearly wished she could’ve visited for longer, but I just couldn’t get that conversation out of my head, the one where she’d propositioned Derek. At least he was adamant hewasn’t interested, though it was hard not to be intimidated when the man you had feelings for was once married to a veritable goddess who played the violin and had so much sex appeal she could afford to donate the overflow to charity.
“We’ll try our best to make it work,” Nuala assured her.
“Do you think Dad might like to come with us to Rome?”
“I’m not sure,” Nuala said. “He’s very busy with the hotels right now.”
Gigi let out a wistful sigh. “Mam was saying how great he’s been looking lately.” Just like that, my relief disappeared in a poof of smoke, unease returning. “She said he’s really gotten his act together, and that it suits him. Oh, Nuala! I haven’t heard her speak so nicely of him in ages. Do you think they might get back together?”
For a brief second, Nuala’s eyes flashed to mine in the overhead mirror, but I made sure to keep my expression neutral—even though the very concept of Derek reconciling with his ex-wife made me feel ill. Nuala’s voice was gentle when she replied, “I don’t think so, Gigi. I wouldn’t hold out hope for anything like that.”
It was good that Nuala was honest with her, but at the same time I watched how Gigi’s shoulders slumped. It was clearly something she’d been wanting, her parents to rekindle. And if that was a hope she’d been holding onto, then Derek and I needed to tread carefully. If we really were going to start something, we couldn’t allow it to jeopardise his daughter’s mental health. Gigi had only started making progress, and I wouldn’t want to do anything to set her back.
I was lost in thought when Nuala pulled into the driveaway of her parents’ house. “Everyone’s meeting here, and then we’ll walk to the castle. It’s better than trying to find a parking spot.”
“Sounds good,” I said, glad I’d chosen to wear my flat ankle boots instead of anything more adventurous. I followed Nualainto the house while Gigi headed upstairs to see her granddad who was currently in bed, taking it easy before his surgery. I stumbled a little when I walked into the kitchen and saw Derek standing with Aidan and his brother, the three men talking casually while my heart pounded against my ribcage.
“Where’s Theo?” Nuala asked as we entered.
“He can’t make it. Something came up at work,” Tristan replied, and I saw disappointment flicker in her gaze for a moment before it was gone. My eyes met Derek’s briefly, and he practically simmered as he took me in. My breath caught as he traced a path from my face and down along my shoulders and chest before tiptoeing over my hips. His intense inspection made me feel like there was a fire bubbling under the surface of my skin.
“Right, well, we’d better get going. The concert starts soon.”
“Lead the way,” Aidan said, and we all filed out of the house.
“We’re off now,” Nuala shouted up the stairs before there was an answering, “Okay, have a wonderful time,” from her mother.
I fell back and walked alongside Derek, while Aidan, Tristan and Nuala strolled a few yards ahead of us, chatting about the concert.
“You look beautiful,” Derek said quietly, his fingers lightly brushing mine as we walked. I wished to reach out and hold his hand, but I knew I couldn’t. We weren’t alone, and it would raise too many eyebrows.
“Thank you,” I replied in a whisper, my eyes flicking up to his. “You look very handsome.”
His lips twitched at my returning compliment, his gaze darkening ever so before he glanced away, clearing his throat as though it might also clear certain thoughts. A shiver swept over me as I wondered where his mind had gone. “So, how was the rest of your afternoon?” Derek asked.
I inhaled a breath, brushing away the fluttery feeling in my stomach at his mere proximity. “It was good. Staying at the hotel was a nice break, but I’m glad to be back under my own roof.”
“I can imagine.”
“What about you? Did your meeting go well?”
“It did.”
“It must be a lot of pressure, taking on your dad’s old role.”
Something serious flickered across his expression, and I recalled what I’d overheard Paloma saying to him, how she’d tried to reassure him he could handle running his family’s business. Had he doubted himself?
“It is, but the reality has been less intimidating than what I’d feared.”
“Were you worried about taking on the responsibility?” I studied the shadows and plains of his handsome face while I awaited his response.
Derek rubbed at the back of his neck, his eyes flashing to mine, and in a moment of unexpected honesty, he said, “I was terrified. You know, I never really got over being a worrier.” There was a small hint of self-deprecation in his words.
“I remember,” I replied fondly.
“Right, well, I kind of let my worries get the best of me. I was drinking too much, not sleeping, barely exercising. Some of it had to do with Gigi’s troubles, too, but I was spiralling out of control.” My heart clenched listening to him. “Then you …” he trailed off, and my eyebrows rose.
