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His irritated expression falters. “That’s not what I meant, Liv.”
“Whatever,” I brush off the negative emotions attempting to sully my mood. I know I’m reading into Derek’s remark, and I shouldn’t. Especially not when he’s been drinking.
“Can I get you anything?” The bartender appears in front of me, drying a glass in her hand with the end of the white towel thrown over her shoulder.
“No, thank you.”
The beautiful woman nods. “Let me know if you change your mind.” She gives Derek an appreciative look before turning around and going back to work.
Part of me wants to roll my eyes at her obvious interest, but I can’t say I blame her. Even dressed down in a t-shirt and athletic pants, Derek is annoyingly attractive. He’s grown into his boyish looks.
Derek clears his throat. “I just meant that Austin seemed into you.”
“I think he was more into you,” I joke with a straight face.
“Doubt it.” He stares at his full beer. “Sorry if I was an ass earlier.”
“Yeah, about that.” I rotate my body so I’m facing him directly. “Where did that come from?”
He sighs. “I don’t know. I guess I just don’t want to feel like people here are trying to use me. I get enough of that in California.” He continues to stare at his drink.
“Austin was just asking for your advice,” I point out. “I don’t think he planned to use you.”
He huffs an unamused laugh. “It starts with asking for advice. Then the next thing you know, I’m being hit up as apotential investor. Trust me. Your boyfriend was on his way to ask me for funding.”
“You can’t know that.” I frown. “And he’s not my boyfriend.”
“No?” Derek lifts a brow. “Well, he wants to be. If he doesn’t, then he’s an idiot.”
My stomach flutters, but I don’t respond. Mostly because I don’t know what to say. Instead, I change the subject. “So, are you really in town to relax and get away from work?”
“Yeah. And to keep an eye on Grandmom.”
“Paula?”
He nods. “Yeah. Mom and Dad were second-guessing if they should go on their trip, so I volunteered to watch out for her while they’re gone.”
I’m confused.
Whenever the Lawsons leave town, they usually ask my parents to check on Derek’s grandmom. Paula Lawson is like another mother to my parents, and another grandmom to me. She’s a selfless, generous lady. We love her a lot.
I’m seconds away from telling Derek about the arrangement between our parents when I think better of it. Who am I to question who the Lawsons ask to look after Paula? Especially since I suspect Aunt Julia and Uncle Eric might’ve been trying to give their son purpose while he’s in Ann Arbor. Derek’s never been one who can sit still and do nothing. At least, not willingly. As a smart kid who always finished his work quickly, grade school had been rough for him.
The realization makes me look at Derek with fresh eyes. He slowly spins the beer glass in front of him, and I can’t deny he looks a little bored. Maybe even a little lost.
An idea hits me.
“Come on.” I slide off the bar stool. “Let’s go.”
He straightens. “What?”
“Pay your tab,” I tell him. “And then let’s get out of here.”
With zero hesitation, he reaches into his pocket for his wallet and tosses a one hundred dollar bill on the bar. “Where are we going?”
I smile to myself as I lead the way out of the bar. “You’ll see.”
CHAPTER 9
