CHAPTER14
Abbie didn’t know what to say first.So, she went with the obvious.“What are you doing here?How…how did you know I’d be here?”
“You posted that you’d be here for the show.I flew in last night.”He reached for the handle of her cart and took it from her.
“You flew into town last night…for the convention?I didn’t know you were a guest.”
“I wasn’t.”
“Then why would you…” Abbie stopped as a thought occurred to her.She hadn’t given it enough consideration; she’d been too afraid.
Derek put the cart to the side, stood in front of her, and tipped her chin up to look at him.“I missed you.”
Abbie’s heart melted.“I missed you, too.”
Derek’s gaze left hers for a moment to look behind her.He took a step back, ducked his head ever so slightly, and said, “Can I help you to your car?And maybe ask for a ride?”
Off balance for a moment at the sudden loss of Derek’s warmth, Abbie heard people laughing behind her.Derek slipped his arm through hers as Abbie turned to see the last few of the vendors come around the building.Abbie waved at them before heading in the direction of her car with Derek.
Everything loaded into the trunk and backseat, Abbie sat in the driver seat and let the car idle.She kept her hands in her lap, gripped together so she didn’t reach over and take off his hat so she could run her fingers through his hair.
“I can’t believe you’re here.”She waved at the building behind them.“That you came to the show and waited outside.Oh shit, how long did you wait?”It wasn’t too hot yet but if he’d been there for a long time…
“I didn’t want to risk anyone noticing me inside.I didn’t wait long, I promise.”
“No, it’s not that.It’s just…I can’t believe you’re here.”Abbie didn’t think twice.She wasn’t about to walk away or let him leave without at least a conversation about a future together.“Do you want to come over for dinner?”
“I’d love to.”
It would be easier to discuss things over food, anyway.Thirty minutes later they were on the floor of her living room, takeout boxes arranged carefully between them on the small brown ottoman she’d carried from place to place since college.
She cringed as Derek moved a box full of clear plastic sleeves away from his back.“I’m sorry this place is such a mess.I was in a rush last night packing for the show and it was late, and I fell asleep before I could clean up.”
Derek shuffled his container around a little bit.“You don’t need to apologize.You should see what my place looks like when I pack before going on location.You’re allowed to live in your space without excuse, Abbie.”
Words failed her, so she smiled softly and looked away.Being near him again had her all in a tizzy, and it was all she could do not to touch him.
“Before we eat, uh, I brought something for you from London.”Derek stood and went over to the duffel bag he had dropped by the front door.
“You brought me something from London?”She didn’t have any sort of gift for him.Was she supposed to?“You didn’t have to do that.”
As Derek sat next to her, he handed her a flat package wrapped in plain brown paper.There was a red bow attached to the top left corner with her name written in a messy hand underneath.
“I saw it and thought of you.”He brushed his knuckles along her cheek, his voice barely a whisper.“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.It’s been incredibly distracting.”
It was hard to breathe.Abbie tilted her head up ever so slightly, lips parted, a silent invitation.
Derek flicked his gaze to her mouth, then up to meet her eyes.Desire shone in those blue depths.He licked his lips, teeth dragging along the bottom one.He placed a single kiss on her cheek.“Open your present.Then I’ll open mine.”He trailed his fingers down her arm, igniting every nerve ending in her body.
Abbie suppressed a shiver of anticipation and focused on the wrapped gift in her lap.She pulled apart the tape at the edges and opened the brown paper to reveal a suede-covered book tied closed with a string.Abbie opened it and flipped through the pages.Blank.
A sketchbook.
She gasped, tears in her eyes.“It’s beautiful.Thank you.”
“I’m glad you like it.”He blew out a breath.“I know how talented you are, and it’s important for talented people to have the tools they need.”
“It’s the most thoughtful gift anyone has gotten me.”Abbie reached to place a small kiss on his cheek.“I love it,” she whispered.
