revealed.
Derek:
You know I’m teasing, right? I hate texting.
Claire:
Yes. And I agree. I’m fabulous AND texting is stupid.
Derek:
Can I stop by?
Where did that come from?
Claire:
Stop by?
Derek:
Yes, I’m not far away. I thought I’d bring some entertainment so you didn’t have to spend the night alone…since you’re kids are gone. That okay? Or do you have plans?
Claire:
No plans. Need my address? Let me guess…
Derek:
Admitted creeper…remember.
Claire:
Hahaha
I wanted him to stop by.
Claire:
Come on over.
Derek:
I’ll be there in about five minutes.
Claire:
You really are close by! Are you in your car?
Derek:
No, I live in your neighborhood. I’m only a few streets over.
Claire:
Hmm…that might be a problem once the restraining order takes effect.
Derek:
Right!
Derek:
See you in a few.
Claire:
Okay.
It was easy, this new friendship I had with Derek. He made me smile and laugh like I hadn’t in years. It was addictive. He was addictive and I’d only known him a short time. Reality hit me that I was still wearing just my tiny black robe with nothing underneath. I’d washed all my makeup off in the tub and my blonde hair was in a messy bun. I jumped off the bed and quickly put on a pair of black yoga pants and a t-shirt before I went into the living room and turned on a few lights. I’d barely finished straightening the couch pillows when the doorbell rang. With my wine glass in my hand, I walked to the front door, looked out to see Derek’s face then opened the door. There was a long moment we both looked at each other. He was dressed in lose fitting, long black workout pants that hung low on his waist, a white tight t-shirt and what looked like house shoes. My smile widened when I realized he was giving me a long look, too.
“Hey, come on in.”
I stood back so he could walk past me. He had two bags in one hand and his wallet and keys in the other. I peeked out to see he’d parked a motorcycle in the drive. I closed the door and walked around Derek so he could follow me to the kitchen. “You have a motorcycle? How in the hell are you driving that with your knee brace? And how’d you carry those bags?” I didn’t mean to reprimand him, but damn.
“I haven’t been riding it and I don’t have my brace on right now. I only did it because I was so close. But it wasn’t very comfortable. Bad choice, maybe.” He winced as he took a few steps. “As for the bags, I have a small leather case that sits on the side on my bike.”
“Well, I can take you home later if you don’t want to ride back.”
“I’ll be fine. It’s only two streets.” He sat the bags on the counter and removed the contents. He’d brought two movies, microwave popcorn, a box of Milk Duds, bag of peanut M&Ms and two Dr. Peppers.
I laughed. “I don’t know how you did it, but you just brought every kind of junk food I love. Of course, I probably haven’t had any of these since high school, but still. Who are you?”
“You’re kidding. I totally guessed. I actually grabbed this from my house. Even the movies are mine.” He smiled and nodded his head as he mentally patted himself on the back. “Man, I’m good, huh?”
I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “So what movies are these?” I held up the first one. “ Animal House . Good. And Goodfellas. Excellent.”
“Really? I just tried to find something you might not mind watching. I have no idea what women like to watch.” Derek ran his hand down his face like something…a memory maybe, struck him. “Well, I take that back. I do know. It’s that sappy shit that guys hate because they can never live up to the male characters.”
I laughed and stuck a few of the M&Ms in my mouth. “Right! I’m not one to watch those sorts of movies. They are way over the top. There’s not a real man alive
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