Page 56 of Paint Me Love
The stars have aligned, the moon, the asteroids, the entire universe. I leave the exhibition lighter than when I came, but just as I think the night can’t get any better, I pull my phone out and find out the battery’s died.
“Fuck.”
How do I call Derek? I really wanted to talk to him. We need to be on the same page if things between us are to work. No secrets, no lies. He said we’d talk later, but he never returned to the gallery… I hope it’s just work and not him rethinking us and deciding I’m not good enough for him.
I check the office before leaving the gallery. Derek isn’t there. I guess he must’ve gone to his company’s HQ. Whatever he needed to deal with must be very important then.
Sighing, I decide to walk instead of taking the bus. It will take me over an hour to get to my apartment, but I need the fresh air so I can clear my head. I thought I did well considering how crowded the venue was and how many people I had to interact with, but I think it’s catching up to me. I’m drained, and my heart is beating a little too fast. My breaths are sharp and shallow, and my chest feels as if something is pressing against it.
Swaying as the head-spinning worsens, I prop my arm against a nearby tree and close my eyes.You did well, Daniel. Good job.But where is Derek? I want to see him. Why didn’t he return? Why isn’t he here to take me home?
Car tires screech nearby. I snap my attention to the road just in time to see a speeding red truck almost run over a couple of pedestrians crossing the street. My heart lurches into my chest and I feel like I’m going to throw up. I don’t think I can make it home, but my phone is dead, so I can’t even call a taxi. The next bus isn’t coming for another half an hour.
Suddenly, I forget all about my good day. I’m tired and hungry. I want to go home. But my legs aren’t working, and I can’t even call for help. I feel like crying.
“Hey… You alright?” a familiar voice shoos away the slithering panic.
I look up and meet Adam’s concerned expression. “What are you doing here? Don’t you normally take the bus?”
I smile ruefully. “I reached my limit for being around people for today. I needed to wind down, but…” I glare at my shaking legs.
As if my evening can’t get any worse, my brain picks that moment to point out to me that Derek didn’t say back that he missed me. My eyes go wide as a pang of fear racks through me. How didn’t I realize that? Shit.
“Jesus, you look about to pass out.” Adam offers me his hand, and I take it. “I’ve parked nearby. Let me take you home.”
We walk slowly, but even that is a challenge. I really don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I suspect part of it is exhaustion and relief that the exhibition is over. I’m so glad I have the day off tomorrow so I can sleep in and chill.
“Why are you still here?” I ask Adam as he helps me into his car. Now that I think about it, I didn’t see him at the gallery either. I’m pretty sure he was there at the start, but at some point, he disappeared.
“Something came up, so I had to step out. Work stuff. It was for a very important client, and I couldn’t say no. So, where to?”
I hesitate, tracing patterns with my finger along the backseat’s empty space next to me. I don’t want to go home. “Could I use your phone? Mine died and I can’t call Derek. He… had a work thing come up too and never returned. He said he would. I’m worried.”
Adam twists his head back at me, a smile tugging at his red lips. “Nope. I don’t think I’ll give you my phone so you can call him.”
My stomach drops. Shit. It’s awkward to ask the ex for help even if he isn’t really an ex, I know, but I’m desperate. “Plea—”
He shushes me. “I think it’s better that I just take you to him, so you two lovebirds can talk things out.”
Oh… I blink at him, confused. A million questions race through my mind. Wait, what?
He shrugs, winking at me. “You two are good together.”
We don’t say anything else for the rest of the ride. He parks the car in front of a tall, expensive-looking building and motions for me to get off. Then, he hands me an access card. “Last floor. The big, glassed-off office is his. Go get your man.”
I’m floored. I think Adam is a great guy. “Thanks!”
He drives off as I enter the building. Scanning the card gives me access to the elevator, which takes me to my destination. Heart in my throat and legs shaking, I traverse the floor until Ispot the glass office. It’s the only section with the lights on, and there is someone inside.
I freeze. Fuck, will Derek be angry I came? That I am disturbing him while he’s working? We are supposed to trust each other, but isn’t this the opposite? I really wanted to see him though. Leaving things unfinished just doesn’t sit right with me.
Clapping my cheeks, I steel my resolve. Fuck it. I’m going for it. If he gets annoyed at me for wanting to clear things up so much that I came to find him, maybe we weren’t meant to be.
25
Derek
Ican’tbelievethisfucking meeting took so long. Of course a critical bug had to happen tonight of all nights! Ugh.
