Page 61 of One Hot Deal

I hug Hugh and kiss his cheek.But when I do the same for Avery, she whispers to me, "Can't wait for you to become my sister-in-law."

There's no point in telling her yet again that it's too early to discuss that possibility.I know she means well, and I do adore Avery.

Derek faces Hugh, and the two men smirk at each other for a moment.Then Derek says, "Don't let my sister get sunburned, Lord Sticky."

"I shall guard her skin as if it were my own."

Derek gives Hugh a quick, firm hug.Then he turns to his sister, and his attitude shifts from sarcasm to affection, his love for his sister evident on his face—and in his voice when he speaks."All I've ever wanted was for you to be happy, really happy.I'm glad you finally stopped working so hard and found everything you needed."

Avery throw her arms around her brother, and tears trickle down her cheeks.

When she finally steps back, Derek wipes the tears away with his thumb."These are happy tears, right?"

She nods.

"Good."He glances at Hugh, pretending to glare at Lord Sommerleigh."Because if that guy hurts my sister, I'll rip him a new one."

Avery slaps his arm."Stop harassing Hugh."

"Why?He likes it.Don't you, Lord Sticky?"

"Oh, yes," Hugh says."I love your bizarre American insults."

Now that the goodbyes are over, Hugh opens the limo door and offers Avery his hand to climb inside.Once the door shuts, we can't see them anymore.The vehicle rolls down the drive and out of sight.

Rupert goes inside the house to find his wife, with his daughter in tow, while Callum and Kate head back to the party on the lawn.

"It's time for bed, pet," I tell Pippa.

She starts up the steps but halts halfway to the top."Good night, Derek.Good night, Diana."

Hearing her use my given name, I abruptly realize I need to do something I've avoided for too long."I'd like it if you would call me Mum."

Her eyes widen."Really?You never wanted that."

"A lot has changed.I can't believe I wouldn't let you call me that."

"So I can now?"When I nod, she rushes down the steps to hug me.Then she looks at me."Good night, Mum."

Pippa scampers into the house.

But Derek just stands there on the pea gravel, gazing down the tree-shrouded drive though he can't see anything in the darkness.

I slip my arm around his waist."You miss her already, don't you?"

"Yeah.It's stupid, since she'll only be gone for two weeks.And she was jetting around the world for years, so it's not like I saw her all the time then."

"But since she met Hugh, Avery has settled down.You see much more of her now, and you two have become even closer."

He hooks his arm around me."Things will be different now that she's married."

"Of course.But nothing will change how much your sister loves you."I kiss his cheek."Let's go upstairs.I promise you will forget all about missing Avery once I have you in my bedroom."

His pensive expression transforms into a sly smile."I finally get to see you one hundred percent naked."

"Yes."I wriggle out of his hold and trot up the steps, then pause to glance back at him over my shoulder."What are you waiting for, Mr.Hahn?"

I remove my shoes and race into the house with Derek right behind me.

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