Page 67 of Hell Hath No Fury
"I'll take this with me," I say, standing up and taking the plate as I walk out the door back to my office.
Chaos. That's what's going on in my life and why I'm so off kilter. It has nothing to do with Derrick Pierce.
How many lies is that today already?
Grudgingly admit: Pierce 4, Sullivan 1.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Derrick
It's Friday. Date night. And I'm nervous. Jesus. I'm too old to get nervous for a date, but the other day when Audra left the conference room, Jamie revealed something.
"I think she's into you, D," Mark speculated.
"Duh," Jamie replied. "Honestly, she wouldn't want to bang him if she wasn't into him."
"What?" I asked, a little surprised that Jamie revealed so much.
Jamie rolled her eyes. "She's acting like it's all physical, but I can see there's more to it. She genuinely likes you."
"Maybe even loves you," Alex surmised. "I mean, a nice girl like Audra doesn't just sleep around."
I looked to Jamie.
She raised her brows. "You have to ask? No, she doesn't. I think there may have one or two one-night flings, but a woman like Audra has to have feelings first."
"Oh hell," Mark teased. "She caught feelings. I hope that shit isn't contagious."
And that ended the conversation. I wish I could have gotten more information, but Mark effectively closed the door.
Now, it's Friday night and I feel like a teenage boy on his first big date. This is ridiculous.
I rest my head back against the chair and let out a sigh.
I have feelings for her too. Not just I-want-to-fuck-you feelings, but real feelings that might be more than like. Her sassand confidence mixed in with that dash of vulnerability makes her perfect for me. I want a woman who can take care of herself but isn't afraid to ask for help or lean on their partner. Me.
I look at the clock for the fifth time in as many minutes. I don't want to get there too early in case she's not ready and also because I don't want to seem too eager—even though I am.
Oh, fuck it.
I grab my car keys and head out the door. If I'm early, I can wait while she finishes up. Maybe I can snoop around a little and see more of her life, photos, whatever.
Jesus, Pierce. Overthink much?
Only when it comes to her.
When my phone rings, I'm afraid it's going to be her cancelling. She seems as wound up about this as I do. It's Mark. I answer via the car speakers. I don't need a ticket for talking on my cell.
"What's up?" I ask.
"Just checking on you. You ready?" he asks.
"Yeah. I'm on my way to pick up flowers."
Alex chuckles. "I'm surprised you didn't do that already. I mean, you're only forty-five minutes early. I expected you'd be parked outside her condo, staking it out and biding your time."
The fucker.
