Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 102834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
A few minutes later, we were headed to Derek’s car. Deirdre had managed to convince me to let her buy two extra items, and Gigi carried two bags stuffed to the brim with band merchandise. I had a feeling Derek still felt guilty about her almost missing the show earlier, so he’d let her go wild with his credit card. He brought us to a drive-thru burger place, all the while Deirdre and Gigi sat in the back and gushed giddily over every aspect of the show. It was late, and I wasn’t too hungry, so I just ordered a portion of chicken nuggets to nibble on.
“Can Gigi stay over at our house tonight?” Deirdre asked pleadingly once we’d finished eating.
“Sure, if it’s okay with her dad,” I replied, and Derek met his daughter’s gaze in the rearview mirror.
“You have a tennis lesson in the morning,” he reminded her.
“I’ll still make it if you come pick me up.”
“All right, then. But don’t forget to set your alarm. I’ll be there at nine-thirty to collect you.”
“Thanks, Dad. You’re the best.”
When Derek pulled up outside my house, he climbed from the car, going around to help Gigi out and giving her a hug goodnight. Watching him had my insides doing strange loops. Seeing Derek be a dad obviously appealed to some part of my psyche. When he let her go, the girls skipped inside while I hung back to say goodnight to him. He stood leaning against the driver side door, his shirt sleeves still rolled up and exposing his distractingly muscular forearms, gazing down at me like he had all the time in world.
A beat of quiet passed as we just stared at one another before I finally spoke, “Thank you again for coming to the rescue tonight.”
His dark gaze gentled. “It was no problem.”
I nodded. “Well, I guess I’ll see you in the morning.”
I turned to leave when his voice stopped me. “Camille.”
Tingles tip-toed across the back of my neck when I heard my name pass his lips. It was the first time he’d spoken it since I’d come home, and I had to suppress a shiver at the way his deep voice caressed the syllables. “Derek?”
His gaze softened further as he said, “I didn’t entirely hate spending time with you tonight.” The faintest glint of humour sparkled in his handsome brown eyes.
A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. “Calm down with the flattery, or my head might explode.”
His deep answering chuckle sent a warm, fluttery sensation through my stomach as he turned and climbed back inside his car. He switched on his indicator, checking his mirrors as he prepared to leave. “Derek,” I said, and he paused to look my way, his window rolled down. Smirking, I went on, “I didn’t entirely hate spending time with you tonight either.”
Shaking his head, I heard him laugh again as he drove away.
I didn’t get a whole lot of sleep that night thanks to the girls keeping me up until the small hours chattering away in Deirdre’s bedroom. Waking up with my alarm, I threw on a bra, a T-shirt and a pair of shorts before going downstairs in search of breakfast.
As soon I entered the kitchen, I heard a dripping sound before I saw the giant puddle of water that had collected on the floor. Worry seized me as my gaze travelled up, up, up to the ceiling where water seemed to be coming through the plaster.
Oh crap, not good.
I leapt into action, grabbing a mop and bucket from the utility cupboard as well as a sponge to try and dry up the area. My efforts were fruitless because the leak was still dripping, and I only ended up with wet hair and soiled clothes.
Panicking, I picked up my phone to Google an emergency plumber when, a second later, the doorbell rang. I hurried to answer it and found Derek on my front step. In my fluster, I’d all but forgotten that he was coming over to collect Gigi. Looking gorgeous with his dark hair messily styled, his blue, short-sleeved shirt displaying his thick forearms, I felt like a hot mess in comparison.
Derek took me in, and I was suddenly aware that my top was plastered to my skin, my black bra peeking through the pale material. Not to mention my nipples had beaded from the wetness, and my hair was all over the place. Derek’s gaze travelled over every disastrously damp part of me, and I was pretty sure his jaw flickered in some kind of discomfort before he asked, “What happened?”
I winced. “Water leak. Um, you’re here for Gigi?” I went to the foot of the stairs, calling up, “Gigi, your dad’s here.”
There was an audible groan followed by movement as she evidently crawled out of bed.
I suddenly became aware that Derek was standing right behind me, his warm chest at my back. “Show me where the leak is coming from.”