Page 48 of Until Then

I want to say no. I’m not in the mood for one now, but it’ll keep my mouth occupied and hopefully distract me from my thoughts. So I say, “Sure.”

When he holds the plate out to me, I thank him and take a square, the texture perfectly chewy. And when I take a bite? It takes all my strength not to moan.

Yep, perfection.

Can he do nothing wrong? It would go a long way in calming my raging hormones if he had at least a flaw or two. His love for bacon and processed foods drives me a wee bit crazy, but it’s not enough to keep my libido in check.

As I finish my brownie, Wonton sniffs the blanket, searching for crumbs, and because I’m a paranoid dog mom, I give him a gentle shove away and make sure there are none.

With a sigh, I lie on my side and prop my head on a throw pillow. Onscreen, Lorelei and Rory get up to all their antics.

“Who’s your favorite character so far?” I ask Derrick.

He purses his lips, giving my question some serious thought, which I appreciate. AnythingGilmore Girlsrelated is serious business.

“I like the mom.”

“Lorelei?”

He shakes his head. “No, her mom.”

I blink at him, flabbergasted. “You’re an Emily fan? I’m horrified.” Even though I love Emilynow, I’d hardly expect her to be a first-time watcher’s favorite character.

He shrugs. “I think she’s misunderstood. She doesn’t always go about things in the right way. But it’s clear she’s been hurt in the past—probably her own upbringing—so healthy communication isn’t her strong suit. It’s obvious she loves Lorelei, though, even if she doesn’t say it.”

I’m quiet for a moment. “That isn’t at all who I thought you’d pick.”

He chuckles and pulls my feet onto his lap, eliciting a squeak of surprise from me. “Who’d you think I’d pick?”

Ignoring the way my heart rate has increased, I clear my throat. “Luke.”

Derrick lifts one shoulder and lets it fall. “I like Luke, but my favorite is definitely Emily.”

“I truly don’t know what to do with this shocking piece of information.” I grin.

In response, Derrick digs his thumb into the arch of my foot.

Eyes rolling back, I groan with pleasure. “That feels good.”

He does it again, and before I know it, he’s massaging my feet.

With his hands on my body like this, it’s next to impossible to avoid thinking about the almost-kiss.

I’m not crazy, right? He wanted to kiss me.

Doubts settle into my mind. Could I have imagined the whole thing?

My mind spirals, and when I can’t take it anymore, I pull my feet from his grasp and pause the show. “I’m tired. I need to go to bed,” I blurt out in a gasping breath.

More like I need to go to my room so I can pull out my vibrator and pretend it’s not Derrick I’m thinking about.

Face scrunched with confusion, he stutters, “I… okay.”

Wonton happily follows me up the stairs to bed, where I close the door and lean my back against it.

I need to get over this ridiculous crush.

It’s not good for me or my sanity.

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