“Boyfriend? I didn’t realize you were seeing someone.”
“Well, it’s kind of new,” she replied.
“We’ll have to plan a time to get together so I can meet this guy,” her mom insisted.
“Mom.”
“Too soon for that?” her mom chuckled. “Fine. But we do need to get together.” Her mom paused, her voice muffling as she spoke to someone else. “Hey, sweetie, I have to go, but we’ll talk again soon,” her mom apologized.
“Yeah. Talk soon.”
“I love you. Merry Christmas. And, Olivia, behave,” she instructed.
Olivia laughed. “I will. Love you, Mom. Bye.”
The phone clicked and Olivia deposited her phone on the bed with a sigh.
“I suppose your dad is going to call next,” Derrick jested.
Olivia’s smile faded and she shook her head sadly. “I doubt it. My dad is too interested in his own life to worry about me. I mean, he couldn’t even make time to meet with us if you remember,” she huffed.
“Sorry,” he whispered.
“My mom’s a workaholic. She worked day hours when I was growing up so we could spend time together in the evening, but now that I’m gone, she works as much as she can. She’s just trying to stay busy,” Olivia explained.
“I don’t have a great relationship with my parents either,” Derrick offered, staring up at the ceiling. “They want everything to be their way, including our life choices. They’re lawyers, my older brother Elliott is a lawyer, Jace is in law school, although, I’m not entirely sure that will stick, and then there is Rachel—she can do no wrong in their eyes.”
“And she’s going to be a lawyer, too,” Olivia added.
“And that,” he confirmed.
“They have their own law firm, right?” Olivia inquired curiously.
“Yeah. They built the firm up themselves. It is their pride and joy. They expect us to take on the business at some point. I’m the odd man out though.”
“Have they seen your designs? Do they care about what you want?” Olivia questioned, entwining her fingers with his. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like if her parents didn’t support her. Sure her relationship with them was strained at times, but they always encouraged her.
Derrick shook his head no. “It’s Christmas and we are here together. I’d rather talk about something else.”
“Like what?” Olivia grinned, meeting his gaze.
“This,” Derrick whispered kissing her lips.
Olivia sighed contently as she melted into his touch. It was going to be a good day.
Chapter Fourteen
Olivia padded out into the front room and flopped down on the couch. The snow had finally stopped and Derrick had left to get dinner. A person could only eat boxed pasta for so long before he or she went crazy. There was a little burger shop down the street. After two days of boxed spaghetti, she was looking forward to sinking her teeth into a thick, juicy burger.
But she needed something to occupy her time until Derrick got back. Picking up the remote, she turned on the TV and burrowed back into the plush couch pillows.
As she settled in, the front doorknob jiggled and the locked turned. Derrick must have forgotten something. There was no way he was back with their food already. She stood up and walked to the door, but halted in her movements as the door swung open and an unfamiliar man stepped in.
The man froze, met her eyes, and grinned. "Well, aren't you a tasty surprise." His gaze roamed over her.
Olivia flushed as she walked backwards. Heat burned across her cheeks. She was only wearing Derrick’s shirt and some man she didn’t know was standing in Derrick’s apartment. "Who are you?" she squeaked out as she mapped out an escape in her head and tried to find a weapon.
"Jace. And who are you, darling?" he smiled as he walked to the fridge like he owned the place and took out a can of soda. He leaned on the counter again staring at her with his brown eyes. Olivia narrowed her eyes as she scrutinized the man. He did look a little like Derrick. "Where is Derrick?" He asked when she didn’t answer him.
"Jace as in Derrick's brother?" she asked hesitantly, still prepared to make a run for it if she needed to.
"That would be me," he smirked. "And you are?"
"Olivia," she replied feeling some of her panic ebb. Derrick’s brother or not, she wasn’t wearing pants and she needed to remedy that. "Can you excuse me for a minute?" she asked, but darted down the hall before he could answer. She slammed the door behind her and twisted the lock for good measure. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she took in a shaky breath. One thing at a time. Pants. I need pants. She grabbed her jeans from the floor and quickly tossed them on before searching for her cell phone to call Derrick. She groaned, realizing that her purse was in the front room. Burying her head in her hands, she contemplated hiding in the bedroom until Derrick came home or venturing back out to the front room.
***
Derrick opened the door, shutting it behind him with his foot. He paused as he met his brother’s gaze. "What the hell, Jace?" he blurted.
"Hello to you too, brother," Jace said as he took a sip of soda and propped his leg up on the coffee table. “Nice of you to bring me dinner. I’m starved.”
"Where's Olivia?" Derrick growled, glaring at his brother.
"Your cute friend? I believe she's hiding in your room. I think I scared her," Jace chuckled.
"You’re not funny, Jace," Derrick snapped as he dropped the food on the counter and headed to his bedroom. He knocked on the door before pushing it open. Olivia peered out of the bathroom as he entered.
"Hi," she mumbled, offering him a small smile.
"I see you met my brother." She nodded hesitantly. "Jace is an ass," he said as he kissed her forehead. "You okay?"
"Yeah. He just took me by surprise," she admitted. Her cheeks rosied and she looked away.
"Jace likes to drop in from time to time. I gave him a key when he came up to visit right after I moved in. I think I might have to ask for it back," Derrick explained as he pulled her to him. Granted Jace couldn’t have known that Derrick had company, but he didn’t want his brother showing up unannounced whenever he pleased. "I have bacon burgers that we should probably get to. He'll eat them if we don't hurry up."
Derrick wrapped his arm around Olivia as he led her back out to the front room. Jace looked up with a smirk as he fished through their bag of food. "You put pants on. Shame, you have such lovely legs," he flirted.
"Enough," Derrick growled.
"What? It's not like you're dating her," Jace shrugged.
"Actually, I am,” Derrick said as he snatched the food from his brother.
"I didn't realize you were seeing someone," Jace replied finally having the decency to look ashamed. "I thought she was just one of your flings. I’m sorry, Olivia.”
"We’re together so mind your manners," Derrick said through clenched teeth.
"Relax, Derrick. I might be a flirt, but I'm not Elliott. It's very nice to meet you Olivia." Jace held out his hand.
Derrick ran a hand through his hair as Olivia shook Jace’s hand. His brother lifted Olivia’s hand up to kiss her knuckles. Jace, ever the charmer.
“Let’s eat,” Derrick said as he went to the cupboard and pulled out a few plates.
***
“Your girlfriend asleep?” Jace asked as Derrick walked out to the living room.
Derrick nodded, looking at the wall clock. A little after midnight.
“I hope I didn’t interrupt anything,” Jace jested, wagging his brows suggestively.
Derrick rolled his eyes and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. “Why don’t we skip ahead to the part where you tell me why you’re here?”
Jace sighed and closed his eyes. “I told mom and dad that I dropped out of school,” he replied. “They kicked me out.”
Derrick put his cup away and instead went to the fridge and pulled out two beers. He handed his brother one as he sat down on the op
posite end of the couch.
“I didn’t know where else to go,” Jace explained quietly. “I’ll be out of your hair tomorrow though.”
“It’s okay,” Derrick assured. “We’ll figure something out.”
“You don’t want me here while you’re trying to woo your woman,” Jace teased.
No. He didn’t want his younger brother hanging around his apartment twenty-four-seven, but he wasn’t about to throw him out either. “Look, you can stay until you have a place of your own. This is a three-bedroom apartment. You’ll need to furnish the last room yourself and please be reasonable about how long you stay, but I’ve been in your shoes. I know what it’s like.”
“Yeah.” Jace took a long sip from his beer. “It was a little different with you. You knew what you wanted to do with yourself, Derrick. I still have no idea.”
“You’re twenty-one. Not everyone knows what they want to do for the rest of their life at twenty-one. It will come to you. At least you aren’t wasting time pursuing a career you’re not even interested in,” Derrick reminded.
Jace took another sip. “Thanks, Derrick.”
“No problem.”
“Olivia have any hot friends?” Jace changed the subject.
Derrick laughed out loud. “Rachel’s her roommate and her other roommate just got engaged.”
Jace snapped his fingers and sighed. “Missed out on that one huh? How’s Rachel with you dating her friend?”
“She seems okay with it,” Derrick admitted.
“Really? That’s surprising.”
“Yeah.” Rachel used to purposefully keep her friends away from their home when she was in high school. Although, he suspected she was trying to keep them away from Jace. His younger brother was certainly a flirt.
“And how is our sister?” Jace inquired.
Derrick took a long sip. There wasn’t enough liquor in the apartment to help with this conversation and he was certain Rachel hadn’t told the rest of the family about her pregnancy.
***
Olivia leaned against the cool metal wall as Derrick pressed the button to take them up to her apartment. After four long days, all the roads were finally cleared and she was able to return home. It was also Thursday, and Rachel and Marc were hosting a family get together in honor of Jace.
"So you're telling me I'm suppose to be nice to the jerk who has impregnated our sister?" Jace asked as he drummed his fingers together.
"Rachel is quite moody these days. It'd be in your best interest to play nice with Marc. From what I've seen, he's good to her," Derrick assured as he took Olivia's hand. She entwined her fingers with his, giving him a smile.
Jace coming the other night had been a shock for both of them, but she had to admit it was nice to meet someone else from his family. Derrick didn't talk about his family very much. He’d opened up a little on Christmas, but she had a feeling there was a lot more family drama than what he’d said. She had to admit she was curious about his past.
Jace tapped his fingers on the railing. "He better be good to her.” The elevator dinged and Jace hopped out, skipping down the hall. “Our sister may be annoying, but she deserves the best," Jace smirked as he knocked on the door.
"Jace," Rachel squealed as she opened the door. She pulled her brother into a tight embrace.
"Rachel," he said, playfully rocking her back and forth.
"I'm so glad you came. I made Marzetti." She opened the door wider for them to come in.
More Italian food. Apparently the phase wasn’t over yet.
"Wow, Rachel, so domestic of you," Jace teased.
Rachel swatted him. "Shut up, Jace."
"Maybe I should come stay here with you instead. I could get used to home cooked food every night.”
"Sorry. Not staying here," Rachel answered.
"You’re supposed to be getting your own place," Derrick reminded.
Olivia smiled as the three siblings bickered. It would’ve been nice to have a brother or sister. Maybe just one though.
Rachel reached out and took Olivia’s arm. "Come on, Olivia, you can help me get set up, before my idiot brother tries to talk himself into a room." Rachel led her into the kitchen while Derrick and Jace joined Marc in the front room. Rachel sighed and covered her face with her hands. “I didn’t even introduce them,” she groaned. “Ugh. I swear my brain doesn’t function right anymore.”
“It’s okay,” Olivia assured. “They seem to be getting along okay.”
“Yeah, they do,” Rachel observed as she peered between her fingers at the men in the front room.
“Tell me about Christmas,” Olivia changed the subject.
“It was nice and quiet.” Rachel bit her lip. “He asked me to move in with him and to marry him.”
“He did? What did you say?” Olivia asked quietly.
Rachel shrugged and shook her head. “I told him no on the marriage part of it. And I didn’t give him an answer yet on the other. Things have been going great, but we weren’t even a real couple, so to speak until after I told him about the baby. I don’t want to move in just because I’m pregnant. I want him to want me to move in.”
“I understand that,” she sympathized.
“You do?” Rachel asked her eyes widening.
“Of course. It’s a big decision.”
“I thought it was just my hormones again. I swear I’m an emotional mess.” Rachel rolled her eyes as she turned back to the stove.
“You’ll know when the time is right.”
“Enough about me,” Rachel waved her hand. “I want to know what’s going on with you and Derrick?”
“I’m not sure you want to know everything,” Olivia murmured.
“Eww.” Rachel scrunched her face up in disgust. “God no. But you’re together?”
Olivia giggled. “Yes.”
“As in a couple?”
“Yes,” Olivia laughed.
“Good,” she sighed. “I think the two of you are perfect for each other.”
"Hey Rachel, is everything done yet? I'm starving." Jace called as he came into the kitchen with a grin.
"You've been here for a total of ten minutes, maybe. Calm down," Rachel chided.
"Hey, don't start on me. Your boy toy made me come ask. I think he's scared of you or something," Jace teased.
"Oh knock it off, Jace," Rachel yelled, throwing her oven mitt at him.
"Missed me," Jace beamed playfully. "What kind of host throws things at her guests?”
"Oh shut it, Jace. Why don’t you come back here? You can get the Marzetti out for me. It’s heavy,” Rachel taunted.
Jace pointed. “I’m not falling for that, but nice try. I’ll tell the guys dinner’s almost done.” He turned on his heel and headed back to the couch to join Marc and Derrick.
Rachel scoffed and shook her head. “I really did want him to take out dinner.”
“I got it,” Olivia offered. She opened the drawer where they kept the oven mitts, and then took the steaming dish off the stove.
“He looks happy,” Rachel said absently staring into the front room.
“Marc?” Olivia asked as she set the dish on a hotplate.
“No. Derrick. It’s nice to see him smile again. I’m glad the two of you worked things out,” Rachel admitted.
“Me too,” Olivia whispered. Derrick wasn’t the only one who was happy. She was too. The past few days had been perfect.
Chapter Fifteen
About four months later…
Olivia yawned as she helped Rachel load the bags into the car. Talk about retail therapy. They had been at the mall for hours. She was beat, but Rachel looked like she could easily go on for a few more hours.
"Feel better?" Olivia asked as they climbed into the car.
"Much. I needed this. I feel like everyone got me infant clothes for the baby shower. I’m thankful they did, but there was so much other stuff I needed," Rachel said relaxing into her seat. "I can't believe this baby’s coming in nine weeks."
“I’ve been thinking,” Rachel said quietly. “Elena’s moved out. You live with Derrick—”
"We do not live together," Olivia argued. She technically still paid rent at their old apartment complex.
"Might as well, you stay there every night," Rachel pointed out. “Anyway, Marc and I have been getting along really well. We’ve spent every night together since Christmas. I was thinking we should take all this stuff to his house. Our lease is up in a few months, and I want Marc and I to raise this baby together.”
"You’re sure this is what you want?” Olivia asked hesitantly. Rachel had been up in the air about moving in for a while now. She didn’t want her friend to make any rash decisions.
“I am,” Rachel grinned. “It’s not that I didn’t want to. I just wanted to make sure that it was going to work with us; that we could be a couple and not just because of the baby. And I know now that we can.”
Olivia smiled as Rachel started the car. She was happy for her friend, but with Elena and Rachel both moving out, she would have to think of making new living arrangements. The apartment was too large for her and pricey.
“You and Derrick should take the plunge, too,” Rachel added.
“What?” Olivia scoffed. “We’ve been dating since Christmas. That would be crazy. I don’t want to ruin what we have by moving too fast,” she defended.
"Olivia, Derrick is crazy about you. He was never this crazy about Brandy and you were never this crazy about Tyler. I think you two just need to face that you're meant to be together, and take the next step," Rachel explained as she pulled out onto the main road.
Olivia bit her lip as she considered what Rachel was saying. She was right about her and Tyler. She’d loved Tyler, but she hadn't been in love with him for a while. However, she was in love with Derrick. Even though they hadn’t exactly said the words to each other yet.
“I have to run by our apartment and get some clothes for the weekend. I should have bought some more maternity clothes while we were out,” she groaned.
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