Page 106 of Set the Moment
“Everything’s fine…He helped me pass my midterm and look, the photos from our photoshoot came back!”
When Derek spots our partnered picture, a smile breaks out on his face. He laughs lightly, catching Delilah's attention and soon enough, she’s in his lap laughing dramatically how kids do.
I hate to admit it, but Derek is a good freaking dad and a good friend. He helped me without question and would do anything for his daughter. I know that I hated his guts originally, but he’s pretty solid.
We’re talking about my participation in the Winter Showcase when there’s a knock on the door. The three of us are dressed in princess gowns, playing tea party with Delilah, all of us rocking Delilah’s makeup. Derek raises a brow at me, looking as confused as I am.
“Did you order something?” I ask only for my question to be answered by a shout.
“Open up, dickhead! I know my girlfriend is in there!”
My boyfriend, ladies and gents…
Derek raises an amused brow at me, finding this hilarious as I sigh, following behind him to the front door with Deli in my arms.
When the door opens to reveal an angry Jace Heart, three things happen. Deli screams, “Uncle Cupid!” Jace gasps like he’s in a telenovela, and then proceeds to grasp his heart like a woman scorned.
Biting back my laughter, I watch as realization dawns on him and smirk when Jace pouts, his emotions directed at Derek.
“Well, aren’t you going to let me in, you big oaf? And why didn’t you tell me you lived here too?”
My eyes widen as I look between the two while Derek lets Jace in, the latter immediately kisses my cheek as soon as he gets inside.
“Wait, let me get this straight…You two have been friends foryearsand neither of you knew the other lived in the same building?” I ask, looking between the two as Jace makes himself at home on the couch after taking off his shoes at the front door.
“Pretty much…Hey Momma bear, you feel like making chicken parm? I’mstarving!”
Derek chuckles at his friend’s antics, agreeing to make the dish as I settle beside Jace with Deli in between us. He turns, smiling warmly in his spot.
“Loving the whole undead princess vibe, angel.”
Rolling my eyes, I reach behind Deli and smack him upside his head.
“Enough…Anyways, I think that it’s time,” I say, twiddling my fingers.
Jace’s eyebrows crinkle quickly as he gives me his full, undivided attention. “Time for what? To get married and say F U to college or—”
I can’t take him seriously…
Chuckling, I shake my head. “No…I mean that it’s time for us to tell Cleo.”
Delilah, who I hadn’t known was listening, nods her head. “Yeah, bro. Tell her, dude.”
Did she just…?
“Hey, Derek?” I call out, my voice filled with humor.
“Yeah?” he shouts back, pans clanging in the kitchen as Jace and I laugh.
“Please find a girlfriend,” I chuckle, pinching Deli’s cheeks, “Dels is starting to sound like a frat guy!”
thirty-nine
Jace
Threedaysago,Iwas sitting in Derek’s place eating up chicken parmesan with him, Sienna, and Delilah. Now, I’m rushing to get to my best friend.
“CJ’s in trouble.”
