Page 63 of A Marriage of Anything But Convenience

Brielle nodded.

“And let me know how things are going with Levi.”

Shock flitted onto Brielle’s face. “How did you know I got back together with him?”

Nara patted Brielle’s cheek. “It was obvious. You still love him.”

“Amazing how obvious some things are. But others aren’t.” She tossed a meaningful look at Derek.

He shot her back a look that told her to shut up.

“What do you mean?” Nara asked.

“Nothing. Have a safe flight.” Brielle hugged her again and then stepped back.

Derek took her luggage. “I’ll drive you to the airport.”

Nara glanced to the window, cringing. “I actually called a cab. They’ll be here in a second.”

“Why did you do that?” Was she that anxious to get away from him? He had to admit, that hurt.

“I didn’t want to put you out. I’ve already put you out enough. This whole thing has been…” She let her voice trail off and she looked to the floor. “I’m sorry. That’s all I can say. I’m sorry my dad insisted on this. I’m sure it’s been uncomfortable for you.”

Only the last twelve hours. But he didn’t say that. He couldn’t admit that he wanted her to say. Needed her to stay. It was selfish of him. He knew her dream wasn’t here, in L.A. How could he be selfish and try to get her to give up on what she loves? In the end, what came out of his mouth was, “I could have driven you.”

The cab pulled up to the house. Nara shook her head. “It’s okay. Really.”

He tightened his grip on her suitcases. “At least let me take these out.”

Nara nodded. “Thanks.”

Derek wheeled the suitcases out the door and to the back of the cab. The driver came around and opened the trunk. “I can take those.”

He turned around to face Nara, his heart in his throat. What was he to say to her? What could he say that would not make him crumble? He knew this marriage wouldn’t last, but if he had known Richard was going to release Nara from her obligation after only one week, he may have made different choices. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Nara quickly put her finger on his lips. “Shh. Don’t say it. I don’t think we should say good-bye, Mr. Emperor. I think we should say, see you later.”

His lips thrummed with the electricity from her touch. He reached up and took hold of her finger, removing it. He wanted to agree with her. Beg her to tell him when she would see him next. But he knew it wouldn’t be anytime soon. Still, he didn’t want to argue with her.

He stared into her warm gaze until time slowed. This was it. She was really leaving. He slowly let go of her finger. “See you later,” he said.

She nodded and blinked a couple of times. “Yeah. See you later.” And then she hopped into the cab and shut the door.

Derek stood there and watched as the cab drove down the driveway and turned the corner, carrying with it his heart.

Chapter 29

A car honked as Nara dashed across the intersection, trying to catch the last second of the flashing walk sign. “Settle down,” she called as she sprinted toward the building that housed AVA Designs. The coffee in her hand couldn’t be anything but piping hot when she got there, or Chelsea would have a fit.

Not for the first time since she’d gotten her job back a month ago her mind flashed to how things had been before. With Derek. His face formed in her mind and she struggled to keep her composure.

She missed him with a fierceness she never thought possible. Her? And Emperor Derek? It seemed so unlikely. And yet, there was a hole inside her that opened up the day she got into the cab and left. A hole only he could fill.

It made her days lonely and her nights almost unbearable. In such a short amount of time he had become someone she could confide in. Rely on. He’d become so much more than she had ever imagined he would.

And she missed his kisses. His touch. His masculinity. Everything about him. She looked down at the cheap ring she still hadn’t had the courage to take off. She’d just slid it onto her right hand. It was stupid and sentimental, and yet she couldn’t get rid of it.

She pushed aside thoughts of Derek as she entered her building. Now was not the time. She had to pull herself together. She rushed to the elevator. The began to slide shut. “Hold the doors!” she yelled.

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