Page 32 of A Marriage of Anything But Convenience

Regret made his muscles tense as he grabbed his pajamas. He should have closed the distance. If he had, nothing would have pulled him away from that kiss. His phone could have rung for a hundred years. He knew he wouldn’t have heard it.

Chapter 14

Nara climbed into bed, a sudden nervous energy making her want to wiggle her legs. Or run a marathon. What was wrong with her? The sound of the sink going in the bathroom carried out to her. Derek was brushing his teeth for quite a long time. Why was it taking so long? And why was she so anxious? Maybe she was just nervous to be close to him tonight.

She huffed and dismissed that thought. That certainly wasn’t it. She liked Derek, but why would she be nervous about sleeping next to him? That’s ridiculous. It wasn’t like she expected to snuggle with him or anything. Geesh. She wasn’t in love with him. Sure, she might have a crush on him. But that was all.

Still, when he came out of the bathroom wearing his blue pajamas, her heart did a tiny leap. “You ready for bed?” she asked, then cringed. Dumb question. He was standing there in his PJ’s. Did all of her brain cells suddenly leave? Is there a brain cell party somewhere down the hallway?

“Yep.” He stood there, like he didn’t want to get into bed with her.

She scooted over and hugged Larry to her chest. “I’ll give you as much room as you need.”

He nodded, then flicked off the light and climbed onto the bed. The moonlight came in the large patio door, casting a glow on Derek’s face. His lips seemed more pronounced. It must be the lighting. It was kind of fascinating to her.

Nara rolled onto her side to face him. “I was tired in the jacuzzi, but now I’m not. I don’t know why.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

She fiddled with the stubby unicorn horn that protruded from Larry’s forehead. “Have you ever thought about artichokes?”

He paused, then shot her a funny look. “No.”

“I mean, artichokes are weird-looking, right? Did you know they are actually the bud of a thistle?”

He raised an eyebrow. “No, I did not know that.”

“It’s interesting, right? But the heart of the artichoke is delicious.”

“I’ve never been a fan.”

Her mouth dropped open and she gasped. “What?”

“No, I’m serious. I’ve never liked artichoke hearts.”

She sat up and crossed her arms. Her shadow fell across Derek’s face. “Well, that’s it. I can’t stay married to you. That’s ridiculous. Artichoke hearts are like the yummiest thing in the entire world.”

He sat up as well, his hair mussed up already with bed head. “You’re joking. You’d divorce me over artichokes?”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m just shocked. Have you ever eaten a whole artichoke, dipping the leaves in mayonnaise?”

“No. I’ve only eaten them canned.”

“Well, that’s it then. When we get home, I’m making you artichokes. And I’ll teach you how to eat them. Fresh artichokes are nothing like the hearts in a can.”

He paused, his face pensive. “What if I still don’t like them? Are you going to divorce me?”

She pushed his shoulder. “Stop it. You’ve decided you’re not going to like them before you even tasted them?”

“I’m just preparing myself for either outcome.”

His lips did that not-smile thing, and she poked him in the side. “You’re teasing me.”

“And you’re talking nonsense.”

She couldn’t help the fake gasp that came out. “You’re so mean.” She shoved him again, but he didn’t budge. At all. She pressed harder, hoping to topple him over, but it was like shoving a boulder. He wasn’t going anywhere.

She got up on her knees and put her back into it. He did fall over that time, but she had shoved so hard that she capsized along with him. He fell against his pillow. “Oof,” he said when she landed on him.

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