“Oh God, have you even gotten any sleep?” I blurt out shamefully to the tall man before me. Derek’s face is quite tired, but there’s something else being held back at the same time. Does he have something to tell me? Am I fired? Dammit, I hate this suspense. “I was just headi
He really is such an attractive man. “My best advice? Start preparing for a long battle. Be ready with the time, the energy, and the money. I know anxiety isn’t something you can cure with a snap of your fingers, but it can be tamed.” I turn my head sideways as if to question him.
My jaw falls open and I swear it refuses to return to its position. Why on earth is Derek my screensaver?! I widen my eyes and stare at my boss, incredulous. “Did you look through my phone, Derek?” At work, I’d opt to call him Mr. Anderson. But something about this has me stating his
“My girls really do like you,” he’s saying as he finishes looking through the pictures. “Oh?” I ask, feeling like a complete utter idiot as I try to find words to say to him. God, have I never spoken to another human being before? I’m starting to wonder just how bad my mood swings wi
My arms are positively full of groceries. I’m doing my best not to walk into any walls or drop anything as I go. But I’m trying to do this in one trip. I look around my pile so I can see where I am in relation to the front door, but that’s the one mistake I shouldn’t have made because severa
“Yeah, but I understand that adults need time to themselves, and that you work harder than anyone I know. If there was a reason for you to need a night off or you have an emergency, it’s good to know someone’s there, right?” Derek seems to think on this, tapping at his chin as he does. He ru
“So,” Derek asks as he moves out of my way in the frenzy to get the right ingredients. “Are you going to tell me why you actually asked me to have dinner with you?” I let my eyes lock with his and ask myself if I should be completely honest. I do enjoy the company whenever possible. But in t
A raised eyebrow from my boss. “Oh?” “Things were just happening around me. Now, however, I’m the one who’s making things happen, and that alone is important to me.” Derek puts down his beer bottle, crossing his arms over his large, muscular chest. God, what would it feel like to tou
For once in our friendship, my friends don’t pressure me to open up with them. They just protect me. I’m not used to such behavior from my sarcastic, goofy friends. It’s nice, because ever since I left Ryan I’ve felt as if the entire world has demanded answers, even if I’m not ready. It’s not unti
Annie and Lily come over for the first time in a while. It feels so nice to be surrounded with my girls, and their hugs when first arriving feel like something I’ve deprived myself of. “I wish you’d find out the gender,” Annie groans as she stretches herself out on the sofa. “I want to know if I’m
“That’s not—” “You don’t treat me like an underling.” “You’re not one!” “Yes, I am! I’m supposed to be under you! This isn’t a debate that we should be having. We’ve been pushing the envelope on what’s appropriate and what’s not. In the end, we have blurred any lines we had the day I left my h
“And I’ll have those numbers determined once the remainder of the information comes in,” I say into my work phone. “Don’t worry, I know everything is a mess right now but it’s an easy fix.” I sigh and look up, startled to see Derek standing at my open office door. He looks serious and also worried
Bea shoves the item in her hands at me. I take it softly, looking down at what she had. A picture of a beautiful redhead with a bright smile stare back at me. I see two small girls surrounding her. Bea can’t be more than three, and the baby wrapped in blankets held by the woman must be Tris. “Is t
“No. I called you. I couldn’t think of anything else.” I nod. “Call the front desk, security, any friends you might have in the building or complex altogether. Have the pool on lookout, and anywhere else she might feel she can hide.” “Okay,” Derek says, nodding but still clearly distraught. I
My phone starts ringing as I leave the restaurant I’ve just eaten at. Daniel and I had a meeting today to talk about the restraining order and other paperwork. Not only that, but now Daniel knows about Natalie’s claims, as well as our suit against Max. “I really wish I didn’t have these other pr
“Uh, there’s a difference?” He seems more confused than when he walked in now. “Cause I’m just worried about not being able to answer all her questions.” “Well,” I think. “They’ll be showing that health class video soon. Most girls don’t actually hit puberty and get their periods until middle scho
It’s around eight when I hear knocking on my door. I’ve been getting stuff done and cleaning the apartment. But the baby? That has been causing some issues. Even wearing better shoes and making sure I’m taking care of my health and stress; I’m still not having an easy time. And this is still the