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“I know what you did to Dereck,” Dina growled. “How you almost made him lose his job.”
Alina looked at Dina wide-eyed. “He told you about that?”
Dina spoke slowly. “He told me everything.” Then she quickened her speech. “My brother and I are really close. He’s very important to me and I would not tolerate some woman trying to take advantage of his trusting nature.”
“That was all a misunderstanding.” Alina waved her hand in the air, and it almost brushed Dina. She eyed the spot where their skin almost collided, then turned her blazing gaze to Alina.
“I know all about your misunderstanding,” she spat out the words. “And I am telling you now. If you have any decency left in you, you will leave my brother alone. You don’t deserve him.”
Alina swallowed hard and kept her body upright. “Isn’t that something for Dereck to decide?”
“He’s too nice to tell you this to your face, but do you actually think he can forgive someone who lied to him and betrayed him like that?” Dina said. “He would always wonder what you’re plotting in secret.” The woman scoffed. “Recognize your place and leave before you embarrass yourself even further,” Dina said before walking off, her heels clicking on the marbled flooring.
19
Alina strolled through the garden with a heaviness in her limbs as she used the rest of her depleted energy. Though the garden exceeded anything that she had seen before, she couldn’t enjoy it. Her mind kept replaying what Dereck’s sister had said to her.
Was that really how Dereck felt? Did she ruin whatever chance they had together? Was she wasting her time trying to win him back?
Alina breathed out hard. “I’ve been such a fool.”
She strolled along the path, the bustling of the party slowly fading into the darkness as the concrete trail turned into a stony path that led to a small pond. Alina watched as two ducks floated on the water, tears silently streaming down her face.
“Enjoy each other while you still can,” she spoke to the multicolored animals. “One mistake and he might end up hating you.”
“I don’t hate you.” Alina spun around to find Dereck leaning against a tree.
“Dereck,” she stuttered. “I didn’t realize you were here.” Alina scurried to wipe away her tears while Dina’s words floated through her mind, causing a tingle at the back of her neck. Her hand automatically went to the area as the urge to retreat became more prevalent. “I’m sorry. I’ll leave.”
She turned to leave but was stopped by Dereck’s words. “You don’t have to leave.”
When Alina turned to face him again, he watched her with an intensity that raised the tiny hairs on her hands. Dereck came to stand at Alina’s side and placed his hand in his pockets. “I’m escaping as well.”
“Escaping?” Alina kept her eyes on him, her mouth slightly ajar.
“From the party,” Dereck clarified. “My parents just took it way too far with that speech.”
Alina was hesitant. If Dina was correct, then pushing Dereck too much could end in disaster. Still, she had to know. “So you’re not planning to move back to Connecticut?”
“We literally had a conversation a few minutes before where I told them that was not a possibility.” He sighed. “Sometimes they can be so infuriating.”
“I understand,” was all Alina said, and Dereck smiled at her before staring out at the pond.
“You look lovely tonight,” he said, trying not to stare, but with Alina so close to him, it was becoming unbearable.
“Thank you,” Alina responded and slightly brushed her hand across her neck.
Dereck took a deep breath but kept his eyes on the water. “I’ve missed you.”
His words stunned Alina, and her head suddenly turned in his direction. “I thought you were angry with me?”
“Being angry does not prevent me from missing you, Alina.” He sighed. “What we had was more than just sexual. We had a deeper connection.” Dereck turned now to look into her sapphire eyes. “You’re the only person I could express myself to, the only one that truly understands how I feel.” He paused. “I missed that.”
Alina stared at Dereck, her eyes wide as his lips spread into a slight smile. “I missed that too, Dereck.”
She couldn’t believe what he was saying. Dereck had actually missed her. If he missed her, maybe there was a chance for reconciliation after all, but Alina dared not dream.
Dereck took a step closer to the woman he once called his girlfriend. She thought he was about to say something, but he didn’t speak. Instead, he gently secured her behind the neck and lowered his head to hers.
