He smiled. "I know. Rachel wouldn't go anywhere but the best."
"Elena, Tyler, and I all wanted to get out of our small town. I mean there really isn't a life there," she explained. “My mom and dad split when I was six. My mom moved back home to Ohio, but Dad stayed in the city. I spent every summer in New York. The summer before senior year, my dad got commissioned to design the new art building at Patterson. I spent a few weeks up here on campus with him and fell in love with the college.”
So, her and Tyler grew up together. That could be either a good or bad thing. "And the three of you all got accepted into Patterson?" he asked curiously.
"Elena and I did. Tyler went to the community college in New York. He has an associate degree and is already working,” she said quietly.
"Rachel only got into Patterson because of our father and his money," he replied harshly. Their father always thought he could buy their love. The old man might be able to buy Rachel off, but he’d taken himself off the market a long time ago. But he didn’t want to think about that when Olivia was sitting right here next to him. "So I heard you’re cooking for Thanksgiving,” he said, changing the subject.
"Sorry, I don't cook." She smiled, finally sitting back in her seat. "Rachel would be the one cooking."
"I don't cook either. Unless you count boxed or frozen dinners," he joked.
She laughed, throwing her head back and shaking her long brown hair. "So, what you'd be having boxed Mac-n-cheese if you weren't coming?"
"Or spaghetti. It's better than boxed macaroni," he smirked.
"You have high standards. I prefer takeout," she jested.
"Yes, you’re quite fond of tacos. I think you ate more than me the night I took you out," he teased, turning to look at her.
Red crept over her cheeks, and she looked away.
Olivia bit her lip, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her breath caught in her throat as she remembered the night they’d spent together. Did he realize the affect he had on her? If he did, what were his reasons for flirting? He didn’t do relationships, so was he only interested in another one-night stand?
Then, there was the situation with Tyler. Their breakup was fresh. She wasn't ready to dive into anything right away. But she did like Derrick a lot. Which was why she wanted some time to herself before going back into the dating world. She didn't want to tell him about her break up with Tyler yet because she knew exactly where that would lead. And she wanted something more from him than a few times in the sack.
No, she wasn't going to rush into anything with him. That wasn't to say that she didn't want to be with him because she did. They had a chance at something real, maybe, and she didn't want to ruin it by rushing into things.
She frowned as he pulled into the parking lot behind her building. They were here already. Where did the time go?
She cleared her throat as she placed her hand on the door handle. “I think it's cute you guys get together every week."
"Cute?"
"Yeah, it makes me wish I had siblings."
"Trust me. There are days I wish I didn't have siblings."
She saw something flicker across his face as he said that and she remembered what Rachel had said about their brother and Derrick’s girlfriend. "Well, you do have a lot of them," she teased, trying to lighten the mood again.
"True," he said, hopping out of the SUV. Derrick jogged around the front of the car and opened her door. The cool air hit her and she cringed, instinctively wrapping her arms around herself.
"You need a warmer jacket," he commented as he helped her out of the vehicle and led them inside.
Olivia rubbed her hands together as the hot lobby air surrounded her. He was right. A warmer jacket would help.
"Maybe I'll buy myself one for Christmas," she shot back.
"I think you’re confused on how Christmas is supposed to work. Normally people buy you gifts."
She giggled as she pushed the button to call the elevator. The silver door glided open and they both stepped in. "My mom is sending me money for Christmas since I'm not going home."
"Why aren't you going home?"
She sighed. "My mom works this year so I'd be by myself anyway. She's a doctor," she explained, "so she is working Christmas Eve from noon on through Christmas. And my dad is going to be overseas with his latest fling for the holidays."
He nodded, his heart pinching at her admission. Someone as sweet as her shouldn’t be alone for the holidays. He would have to think of a way to remedy that. "And you don't have plans with anyone else?" he asked, fishing for information.
She was trying to come up with something to tell him when the elevator dinged and the doors opened. She walked to her apartment and unlocked the door.
As she walked in, she noticed Rachel sprawled out on the couch covered in a thick blanket. Her blonde hair was pulled up in a ponytail, and she was wearing an oversized hoodie. She wasn't sure she'd ever seen her friend so disheveled before.
"You okay?” Olivia asked, concerned.
Derrick followed her in and knelt next to his sister.
"Just not feeling very well," Rachel said. "I tried to call you, Derrick."
"Do you want me to go get takeout?" Derrick offered.
"No, I kind of just want to go to sleep. Maybe tomorrow or Saturday," she said, giving him a weak smile.
Olivia bit her lip as she set her things down and watched the exchange between the siblings. It would’ve been nice to have a sibling sometimes. Her mom was better than her dad, but she’d always been on the back burner to both her parents’ careers.
"Do you need me to pick you up anything before I go?" he asked.
Olivia smiled at his thoughtfulness.
"No," Rachel said, giving a small smile.
"If you’re sure,” he paused, watching his sister who nodded at him. “All right. I'll call you tomorrow. Feel better, Rachel." he said as he turned to leave.
"I guess I'll see you on Thanksgiving,” Olivia said with a smile. The thought of having to wait a whole week to see him again wasn't something she looked forward to, but she wasn’t going to make up a reason to see him sooner.
"Looking forward to it, sweetheart," he beamed.
Rachel watched the door shut. "What was that about?" she asked, sitting up warily.
Olivia shrugged, trying to look innocent. “I don’t know. He gave me a lift home.”
Rachel shook her head and made room for Olivia on the couch. “I think he likes you.”
Olivia ignored Rachel’s comment and took a closer look at her friend. Rachel’s eyes were rimmed red like she had been crying. In her hand, she had a crumpled tissue. "Are you sure you’re okay?"
"No," Rachel sniffled, her eyes starting to water. "I think I might be pregnant."
Olivia sat in a stunned silence for a long moment as she absorbed this information. She needed to get it together. Rachel needed her support right now. "Are you sure? I mean, have you taken a test?"
"Yes," she sobbed.
Olivia pulled her friend into a tight hug and ran a hand down her back reassuringly. "Have you talked to Marc yet?"
"No," she croaked. "What am I suppose to tell him? This is all my fault. I must have messed up my pills."
Olivia hushed her friend. "Well, he did the deed with you. It's just as much his fault as yours. He's a good guy; I'm sure he will be supportive."
Rachel nodded and wiped at her tears as she pulled away. "I want to go to the doctor first. No sense in freaking him out if it's just a false alarm, right? Will you come with me to my first appointment?"
"Of course," she agreed, squeezing Rachel’s hand.
"Please don't tell Derrick. I don't want him to know yet."
"I won't." And she wouldn't. The secret wasn’t hurting Derrick. It wouldn’t be her place to inform him, but still, she couldn’t help but wonder how long she would have to keep a secret this large from everyone. "Have you made an appointment yet?"
"Yes, but they can't see me until the first of Decemb
er," she sniffled.
The first was only a few weeks away. She just had to help Rachel get through it until they had definite answers. "Everything's going to be ok Rachel," she soothed, pulling her friend into a tight hug.
Chapter Eight
Olivia nervously looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her navy dress fit her curves snuggly and her tan knee-high boots complemented the outfit perfectly. Turning to her jewelry box, she lifted a matching gold bracelet, necklace, and earrings. She shouldn't care how she looked, but she wanted to look good for Derrick. It had been a long time since she had intentionally dressed up to impress somebody. The more she thought about that, the more she realized how wrong her relationship was with Tyler.
She wasn't nearly as heartbroken over their break-up as she thought she would be. After three years, she would have thought it would be harder, but she felt alive for the first time. She wanted Derrick, but didn’t want to rush into something either. Would he consider something with her even if they took it slow? Stop thinking about him and focus on Thanksgiving dinner and friends—that’s what the holiday is about.
She took one last look in the mirror. Lipstick. She popped the top off her favorite color, pink champagne, and spread it over her soft lips. Satisfied, she marched into the front room. "Anybody here yet?" she asked looking at Elena who was helping in the kitchen.
"Derrick is on his way," Rachel said as she put something in the oven.
"It smells good," Olivia commented as the sweet smell of spices invaded her senses.
"Of course it does. Elena and I made it," Rachel smiled.
Rachel’s cell rang out, causing the blonde to jump. She smiled sheepishly, mouthing Marc as she picked her slender, black phone off the counter. "Excuse me," Rachel said, hurrying to her bedroom.
"How are you holding up, Olivia?" Elena asked. "I haven't talked to you since our girls day. I’ve been so busy with midterms and my internship."
"Good,” she said smiling. She actually wasn't good. She was nervous. She was going to be stuck in a room all day with her ex and with the guy she had a major crush on. Her stomach twisted and she wrapped her arms around herself, hoping to quell the butterflies rumbling inside.
"Well, you look good. Trying to make Tyler jealous or look good for Derrick?" Elena asked eyeing her.
"Elena," she gasped, her eyes darting to Rachel’s partially closed door. Was her friend outing her now?
Before either girl could say anything else, Rachel stormed out of her bedroom, slamming the door behind her. She headed back to the kitchen and started rigorously stirring the contents of the large silver pot.
"Everything ok?" Elena asked hesitantly.
"Marc's coming," Rachel snapped. "He told me he wasn't coming and now he is."
"It's not like we don't have enough food," Elena remarked, looking around the kitchen. Every burner on the stove was occupied. Covered dishes sat out on the counter on hotplates, and it didn’t look like anything else would fit in the oven.
Rachel dropped the spoon in the pot and turned around. "You know how Marc can be. I never would have invited Derrick if I'd of known he was coming. Derrick will kill him at the first smart ass remark he makes,” Rachel groaned. Tears pooled in her eyes as her cheeks reddened.
Rachel's phone chimed with a new text message. Rachel picked it up and huffed "Great. Derrick is here." She shook her head. "Olivia," Rachel started, grabbing her purse and taking out some money. "Have Derrick take you to get something from the store."
"What?" she asked confused as Rachel shoved the money into the palm of her hand. "What do we need?"
"I don't care. Get him out of here until everyone else gets here. He won't make a scene with everyone here and I'll have to tell Marc to behave." Rachel looked at her pleadingly, her blue eyes widening as her muscles tensed. It wasn't like Olivia minded spending time alone with Derrick anyways.
"Okay," she agreed, getting up from the couch and heading into the hallway.
***
The elevator dinged and the doors slid open. Derrick stepped out into the hallway as Rachel’s apartment door opened. Olivia’s form appeared, silently shutting the door behind her as she shrugged one arm into her jacket. She hadn’t seen him yet, and he took a moment to gaze over her. The navy dress she wore fit her snugly, giving him a good view of her luscious curves. Beautiful.
"Going somewhere?" he asked as she turned toward him.
Her brown eyes widened and she took a step back. "Actually, we are," she smiled sweetly as she pushed the button for the elevator. The elevator dinged and she looped her arm with his and stepped inside, pulling him back in with her. He grinned as she pressed the button to close the doors. "We have to get something from the store," she explained.
"What are we getting?"
She bit her lip and frowned then rolled her eyes. "I don't know. I'm suppose to think of something," she mumbled in one breath.
He laughed as the doors clanked shut and the elevator started its descent. "Why?"
She sighed and ran a hand through her lush locks. "Marc's coming and Rachel's a little nervous about how things are going to go between the two of you."
"So she's getting rid of me," he growled. What’s wrong with her boyfriend that she doesn’t want me to meet him? "Am I not going to like him?"
Olivia opened her mouth and then closed it, sealing her lips tightly shut. She shrugged warily.
“That’s not a good answer,” he commented as they reached the bottom floor. He stepped out into the tiled hallway and held the glass door open for her as they walked out into the chilly afternoon air.
"Marc's kind of an acquired taste. He's not a bad guy just… I don't know, I'm sure it will be fine," Olivia rambled as he unlocked his SUV.
"Your description of him sounds lovely," he said sarcastically. This was going to be great. I already want to punch the guy and I haven't even met him yet.
"Give him a chance. He makes your sister happy," she pleaded as she climbed into the passenger seat.
Derrick shook his head at her, but smiled despite himself. He could worry about Marc later when they got back; right now he wanted to focus on Olivia. "So what are we getting from the store?" He asked as they left the parking lot.
"I don't know," she shrugged. "There is enough food in our apartment to feed an army. But if we don't come back with something…"
"We'll feel Rachel's wrath. Trust me, I know," he laughed.
***
Olivia walked up and down the aisles unsure of what to get as Derrick followed behind her. They really did have everything at home, but she couldn't come back with nothing. Rachel could be a bit of a nut sometimes.
"We could just get coffee. Everyone likes coffee after a big meal, right?" Derrick suggested.
She turned to look at him. "We are not getting coffee," she said adamantly. The smell of coffee beans seemed to be particularly offensive to Rachel. The last thing her friend needed was to get sick in front of everyone.
"Don’t like coffee?" he teased.
"I do," she said, turning away from him. “But we have a billion different types at home already. Our pantry is about to bust,” she lied, passing by the bakery section. A large selection of pumpkin pies sat on a table. She picked one up and held it up for Derrick to see. "Everyone likes pumpkin pie, right?"
He nodded. "Let’s get some whipped cream," he said huskily with a suggestive glint in his eyes, unless she imagined it.
Her face flushed, a flush creeping over her cheeks as her heart accelerated. He wasn't paying any attention to her though and was already several aisles ahead. His mention of whipped cream had been purely innocent so her mind was in the gutter. Great. Get a grip.
"So have we been gone long enough?" Derrick asked as he opened the freezer and pulled out two cans of whipped cream.
She averted her eyes from the containers and met his face trying to keep a calm demeanor. Why was this all of a sudden an issue? Because today she was the one coming on to him. And boy, he looke
d damned good in his gray Henley and dark wash jeans. Snap out of it Olivia!
"If Marc isn't there now then I don't know what to say. I'm starving. Let’s get going," she said, heading for the checkout.
***
Derrick watched the lights illuminate as the elevator climbed to the top floor. Olivia stood next to him, shuffling back and forth on her feet. He chanced a glance at her and met her eyes.
A smile slipped over her features as she leaned against the wall. "So, about the meeting with my dad, he said he could set up something for next Friday. But it will have to be in New York. Is that okay?"
His interest was definitely peaked. New York. How long would they be there? "Yeah I don't have anything planned." He glanced at her as hunger filled him. There were definitely some things he would like to do in New York with her. "So are we staying in New York? It’s a couple hour commute each way."
She bit her lip. "That's up to you. I won’t be staying with my dad and his girlfriend and I don't really have the money for a hotel, so I can take the train back and forth."
"I can pay for your hotel, Olivia. Consider it a business expense," he said. "We could go to dinner and a show if you want." He added trying to gauge her reaction. He liked Olivia, and he could see himself taking a chance on her. He just hoped that she would take the chance, too.
"When you say hotel…" she trailed off hesitantly.
"We can get two rooms," he smiled as the elevator stopped at their floor. He would prefer one room, but she was still dating her boyfriend. That probably wouldn't go over well with Tyler.
"Okay. If you’re sure," she said with a slow nod.
He grinned; she was agreeing to stay in the city with him. He fully intended to indulge her while he had her. "I'm sure I want to take you to New York, sweetheart. We could go for dinner on the town after the meeting and make a night of it."
She blushed. He loved how he could get her flustered so easily. He met her gaze as they approached the door. "Just so we’re clear, nothing is going to happen between us," she insisted, her eyes never straying from his.
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