Page 67 of Until Then

No shirt.

Gray sweatpants.

The look is any woman’s kryptonite.

He glances over his shoulder, catching me frozen in the doorway.

I still feel awkward. Does he?

“I thought I’d handle breakfast this morning,” he says, his tone nonchalant. “Scrambled eggs and toast good with you?”

I nod, unable to get my mouth to form words, and shuffle to the coffeepot. Maybe caffeine will help.

Derrick slides a plate in front of me a few minutes later,then sits beside me at the table. He’s close enough that I can feel the heat of his arm even though we’re not touching.

“I’m sorry about yesterday.”

The unexpected apology barrels into me, making me rear back. “You are?”

Head hanging and forearms resting on the table, he sighs. “Honestly, I’m not exactly sure what upset you. I was lost in my thoughts, so I missed what you said. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t care to listen. Even so, I realize that hurt you, so I deserve the anger.”

I wet my lips and inhale deeply, garnering my nerve. “I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have gone off the way I did. I know we weren’t on a date or anything”—I bark out a laugh like the very idea of it is preposterous, even though I secretly ache for exactly that—“but you brought me there, and I should’ve stuck by your side.” I lower my focus to my table. “We didn’t even watch the sunset.”

How could we, when I was being pouty and immature? My attitude surely reminded him of our age difference. Can I be forgiven because this crush has made me batshit crazy?

He spears a piece of egg with his fork. “Can we agree we were both dipshits?”

His question pulls a small laugh from my chest. “Yeah, let’s do that.”

Since it’s Sunday, we don’t have to be at the office or on site, so I plan to work on the business’s website and upload photos. I don’t have to work from home, but I want to. I need something to keep my mind from wandering to things it shouldn’t.

We finish breakfast, and when Derrick gathers up the plates, his fingers brush ever so lightly against mine.

It’s an innocent, accidental touch, but one I feel everywhere.

I close my eyes, willing my racing heart to settle.

While Derrick loads the plates in the dishwasher, I’m frozen in my seat, having an internal meltdown.

Once he’s shut the dishwasher door, he turns and leans his hip against the island. “Do you want to go out on the boat today?”

I’m tempted to say yes. Our time out on the water is always soothing. More than almost anything in my life, being out there with him feels right.

But I shake my head. “No, I need to get a few things done today.”

His shoulders droop a fraction, but I pretend not to notice. Right now, I need some space. If I had anywhere else to stay, I’d be gone. At least for a bit. But I called the Inn last night, hoping a room had opened up, but they’re still booked solid.

I could go back to LA, but the idea of being there is even worse than facing Derrick after last night’s spat.

Determined to get my shit together, I slide out from the table and head upstairs to change. While I lace up my tennis shoes, Wonton does an excited little dance on his back feet.

“Do you want to go for a walk?” I ask in a singsong voice. “Come on, let’s go.” Tail wagging, he darts out of the room and down the stairs.

By the front door, I strap him into his harness and leash him up. “We’re going for a walk,” I call out to Derrick, though I don’t wait for a response.

I get about a block from the house before I decide to turn around and grab a jacket.

“Just wait here,” I tell Wonton in the entryway. I unclasp his leash but leave his harness on.

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