Page 47 of The Sound of Silence

“I’m going to head back,” I began. “I need to wash up and get ready for work.”

Glancing at his watch, Derek nodded his agreement.

“Yeah. Those supplements were ready to go well over an hour ago. I’ll walk you home then come back to grab them.”

“You don’t need to do that. No sense in going all the way back only to have to return this way for your order.”

“It’s not a big deal. Besides, I need to let Maisie out.”

“Maisie?”

“Yeah, my pup. I normally stop home on my lunch hour to let her out but I ended up here with you instead. Her bladder is probably ready to burst,” he joked.

He has a puppy?Of course, he does. And just when I thought he couldn’t be any more perfect…

“Awww… I love puppies. Maybe I’ll meet her one day, but not today. Seriously, Derek. No need to walk me back. Do what you need to do. I’ll be fine.”

Standing, Derek followed suit. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his gym shorts and rocked back on his heels.

“This was nice.”

“Yeah, actually. It was,” I agreed.

“Do it again? Maybe over dinner next time?”

If I wasn’t mistaken, he seemed nervous. I realized I’d backed myself into a corner. The walls were closing in—his good looks, his warmth, the caring understanding, and thoughtfulness made a perfect square that was pressing in on me from all sides. He affected me in ways I never knew a man could. He always had—from the very first day we met. It was strange. By all normal standards, I barely knew him, yet my heart was singing a different tune, and I couldn’t quite place it. Until I could find the words on the tip of my tongue, I wasn’t ready to act—far from it, actually.

I was broken—healing, but still broken.

Just under two months had passed since I’d left Ethan and I didn’t know how to navigate my new terrain. The girl Derek met once upon a time—the girl with hopeful dreams and aspirations—was long gone. I didn’t know how to get her back—deep down, I wasn’t sure if I wanted her back. I was just starting to feel comfortable in this new skin and I needed time to sort out the new me before thinking about anything or anyone else. As much as I wanted to say yes to Derek,Ineeded to be my sole priority for a while.

Still, I couldn’t help but wonder how different my life would have been had I met Derek before Ethan. Would I have been the woman Derek was searching for—the one who he once said he wanted to cherish? I didn’t know, but I didn’t want to believe our window of opportunity had closed. I only knew I couldn’t step over that line right now… not yet. I needed more time.

Looking into those gorgeous hazel eyes, I focused on the tiny flecks of green that sparkled in anticipation. Reaching out, I touched his forearm, giving it a gentle squeeze, and the air began to fill with an affection neither of us dared to acknowledge. Bracing myself, I locked away my emotions and smiled.

“Ask me again in six months, Derek.”

When I turned to walk away, I felt hopeful for the future. With every step I took toward home, my smile grew bigger—bigger than it had been in a long, long time.

20

Derek

Six months. That’s how long I had to wait.

It was all I could think about as I sat on the couch with Maisie watching reruns ofSeinfeld.I felt restless with impatience but understood why Val was putting me off. She needed to find herself again. I respected that, and I would wait for her.

She was worth it.

After all, I’d unknowingly been waiting three years for her. Hell, at times I wonder if I’d been waiting for her my whole life. Another six months was nothing. I’d fallen into her so quickly, wanting that easy, casual banter again—that connection and chemistry we’d shared on the very first day we met. All the missing pieces seemed to lock into place whenever we were together. The attraction shivered across the surface of every one of our conversations. I knew she felt it as well. I just had to make her see it. Whatever she was running from, she didn’t have to run or be afraid with me. I’d keep her safe. And when she was ready, I’d be there. Until then, I vowed to use every minute I had to earn her trust.

My cell phone buzzed in my pocket and I fished it out. Ryder Malone’s name and number lit up the screen. I hadn’t spoken with my friend and silent partner in a few weeks. I was sure he was calling to check on how things were going at the newest location we’d opened.

“Hey, Ryder.”

“Derek! I haven’t talked to you in a while. I wanted to check in on New York’s most eligible bachelor. Any new, juicy articles published about you lately?”

“Don’t even joke about it, man. If you sic that reporter on me ever again…” I warned.

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