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I helpDrew make breakfast for the crew, who’s slowly starting to wake up. Derek takes the opportunity to talk with Ava and lets her show him her latest artwork.
“You know what?” he says to her. “I think I need to buy some of these from you to decorate my new place. What do you say?”
Ava stares at him in complete disbelief. “What? You don’t have to pay me. You’re family,” she says.
I feel a strange tug at my heart at her words. When I first met Ava, I immediately felt a connection with her. She’s such a bright kid. And until all of us, Drew was her only family. It warms my heart that she thinks of us as family now. Because we are.
“I insist,” Derek says. “An artist should be paid for their work.”
“Well, okay. If you insist,” she says. She shrugs, and as a kid, probably isn’t willing to argue about being given money.
Derek laughs. “How about you make me a good five pieces or so and when they’re all finished, we can make the transaction?”
She nods enthusiastically. “Someday I hope I’m as good as Hawk.”
“You will be,” Hawk says from the hallway as he enters. “Trust me, kid. You definitely will be. Probably better actually.”
Ava and Hawk give each other a knowing look and a smile. The whole exchange just makes me want to sob in the best way. I never thought I’d see the day when my best friend was all grown up with a wife and a kid and all that, but here he is. And he’s really great at it.
“Who’s ready for breakfast?” Drew asks the room.
“Me!” The distinct one-word answer comes from a mound of blanket on the couch. Hanson pops his head out, stretching his arms and legs out, kicking Avery.
“Fuck, dude,” Avery groggily moans. “Oh, sorry.” His apology is directed to Ava, who’s giving him a displeased look.
“I have a swear jar,” she warns him. “Next time I’m going to go get it.”
Hawk laughs, then redirects his attention to Hanson. “Of course,” Hawk says, rolling his eyes. “The mention of food and suddenly you’re wide awake.”
“What can I say? Food is the way to my heart,” Hanson quips.
The group collectively laughs at him. I swear if that boy doesn’t marry a chef, it will be a miracle. I’m actually surprised I’ve never seen him with one. He loves food—all food, any food.
All the guys take a seat at the bar, while Drew and I pass food over to them. Ava takes her plate to the living room to sit with the dogs AKA her best friends. Soon, everyone is eating and laughing and having side conversations about all sorts of things. It’s a pleasant atmosphere and I’ll admit, coming here was the better idea. If for nothing else than the hot coffee in this mug I’m holding.
“Hey, it looks like most of the city got power back throughout the night,” Avery says, as he reads from his phone.
“Let’s take today off work, make sure everyone is back up and running then get back in the shop tomorrow,” Hawk says.
After eating, Drew insists no one help with the cleanup and get going to their respective homes to check on everything and rest up. And while I don’t particularly like leaving the mess to her, it’s hard to argue with Drew once she’s decided something.
We say our goodbyes as we head out the door, Derek’s hand in mine as he leads me. After opening his car door for me, he walks around to the driver’s side and slides in.
“Hey, Willette,” he says. There’s a brief pause as he starts the car. “I really like you.”
His hand finds the top of my thigh and I’m a complete goner.
DEVIL LIKE ME
DEREK
Ionly know a couple of things with certainty. This past week with Willette has been great. After we got back to the apartment and the electricity was back on, everything sort of settled into a nice routine. We work, we go out to dinner or make dinner at her place. We read or watch a movie. Sometimes we have kitchen dance parties. We do a lot of making out, then cuddle and fall asleep.
It’s true; we haven’t had sex yet. We agreed a few days of just feeling out the romantic side of this was a good idea. It would be too easy to fall into a sex-based relationship, especially under the same roof. Instead, I go to bed each night, body humming like a sexually frustrated teenager.
But tonight…I think tonight is the night.THE. NIGHT.I’m picking her up after work, getting her favorite Greek takeout, and bringing her back to the apartment. I’ve set the mood. Or at least I hope I have.
