Page 37 of A Marriage of Anything But Convenience

“Well, you raised her. What did you do when she got upset growing up?”

He stared at the table, feeling foolish. Dare he say what had always worked in the past? It was so stupid. Yet, she sat there staring at him, so he had to answer. “I would distract her with a toy.”

Nara snorted. “Well, that’s not going to work.”

“I know,” he said, feeling terrible. “I have no idea what she wants.”

“She just wants someone to listen to her. Someone to tell her it will all be okay.” Nara reached across the table and picked up his hand. “You can do that, right?”

The feeling of her soft skin on his muddled his brain. He nodded, because he thought that’s what she wanted, but he had suddenly lost the conversation. All he could think about what her hand on his, and last night’s kiss.

“Okay, then just text her right now and ask if she’s okay. See if she needs to talk.”

That didn’t sound too hard. The part he feared was when she did want to talk. But, he decided to deal with that when it came. He picked up his phone and sent off a quick text.

Nara smiled. “There. You just let her know you’re thinking of her, and that you care.”

His phone chimed and he looked at the screen.

That’s so sweet of you. But you shouldn’t be worried about me while you’re on your honeymoon! I’m so sorry I called earlier.

Derek texted her back.

It’s okay.

He almost texted, “We’re not doing anything,” but then decided that didn’t sound very appropriate so he left that part off.

You’re the best big brother in the whole world.

Derek’s eyebrows shot up and he showed the text to Nara. “Hey, that totally worked. And I didn’t have to even talk her down from another ledge.”

She smiled and tapped the side of her head. “See? Just follow my lead and you’ll be fine.”

He set his phone back down on the table. A server came and brought them their food. He’d ordered a plate with mahi mahi and rice. It looked as amazing as it smelled. They both ate in silence for a few minutes.

He wiped his mouth with his napkin and took a drink of his water. “So, tell me about the designs you think you’ll submit to the contest.”

Nara thought a minute while she chewed. “I created a casual business suit for women a few years ago. I was quite happy with it. Candice called it too ‘safe.’” She made a face.

“Hmm. Do you think a casual business suit could win a contest like that?”

She sighed and pushed food around on her plate. “Maybe not.”

“What else have you designed that could get attention?”

“I have this dress I created. It’s short in front and longer in back. I really liked it, but Candice said it was impractical. Still, I thought it was a great design.”

“You should submit that one, then.”

“Really? You think something impractical could win?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know a lot about design and fashion, but from what I’ve seen of runways, they seem to have a lot of impractical going on.”

Nara laughed. “You’re right. That’s very true.”

“I think you should give it a shot. Do you think it’s one of your strongest designs?”

“I do,” she said as she stabbed a piece of fish. “It’s unique enough, with just one sleeve, but very flattering to the figure.”

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