The food was incredible, the conversation fun and seeing Derrick felt right. She missed him.
Her trip to London brought into her life more than she expected. Running into Derrick solidified it all. The four of them walked out of the restaurant plied with alcohol. Derrick grabbed Erica's arm as the car pulled up. "Jen, I will take Erica home."
"But you don't know where I live?"
"Not your home. My temporary home here in London, the Kensington Hotel."
"How do you know she'll go with you?"
"She will." He looked at Erica as he spoke.
"All right, if you say so." A drunken Jen grabbed her husband. "Honey we're going home, Derrick is taking Erica to his home." Her smile gave Erica the okay.
Erica was unsure if that's what she wanted. She wanted to see him again, but she didn't want to rush things. He just ended his relationship, another one, and once again, she felt like in- between girl. And what about the baby, did he know about the baby?
The driver attempted to help Jen, but she refused his help and stumbled into the back of the car. Michael pushed his wife's feet further into the car.
Derrick's car service pulled up as Michael and Jen pulled away. He waved off the driver as he opened the door for Erica. Erica wasn't sure about going with him to his hotel. She wanted to be with him, but this was all too familiar. Erica knew Derrick didn't love Julie, but he started up a relationship with her despite that fact. He still hadn't worked out his stuff.
Before she stepped into the car, she stared at him.
"What's wrong?" He asked her.
"Derrick, I can't go with you."
Derrick felt a sick, sinking feeling inside. "Why?"
"How can I be sure anything has changed? I can't believe in this short amount of time you've gotten your life together."
"What do you mean? I want to be with you. I've known that since the first day I met you."
"Why Julie?" Erica couldn't make sense out of his actions.
"She was there when you weren't." The only answer he could come up with.
"That's awful, and it wasn't casual. Julie thought you'd marry her. She told me she was pregnant."
"That was a lie." He barked. "Mr. Adler told me she said that to you. I called her and asked her about it. She admitted the only reason she said that was because she knew that would keep you away. She'd done that once before to me. The night you had your blind date with Stephen, she told me she got pregnant, but three weeks later she called it a false alarm." Derrick scrubbed his hands on his face. "Erica, I hadn't slept with her since I saw you that night on your date."
"It's all too sad on so many levels. The girl was desperate enough to lie about being pregnant."
"Erica, she knew I wanted to end things. Every time I got close to doing it, she'd pull something like that. She lied about being pregnant, she'd have her parents visit because Julie knew I was too decent to break up with her while her parents visited, and she even resorted to petty threats involving my job."
Erica stepped back onto the sidewalk. "Derrick, her behavior doesn't bother me. What bothers me is you dated her twice. You must have known what kind of person she was yet you dated her twice." Erica placed both hands on her stomach and took in a deep breath. "I can't be with you tonight. I need to think. I need to be alone."
"Please don't do this." Derrick pleaded with her.
"I'm not doing anything. I'm just asking for time." She reached for his hands and held them. "Derrick, I think you need to ask yourself why you date the women who look like the acceptable package on the outside but are all wrong on the inside and ask yourself why you only slept with me."
Derrick shook his head and stepped aside. He knew Erica was right. He'd been chasing an image all his life, and he never left room to alter that image. "Get in. Let my driver take you back to Jen's. I'll walk back."
Erica absorbed the pain she felt, she wanted him but knew he wasn't ready. She stepped into the back of the Mercedes. Derrick rested his hand on the rim of the door and leaned in. "No matter how it looks from the outside...it has only been you since the day we met. I love you, Erica."
Erica shook her head. "I love you, too, but I need to be sure."
"Sure of what. I'm telling you how I feel." Derrick pleaded.
"Those girls, the Jennifer's and the Julie's of the world are what you think you need. I will never be them, and I'm not sure you're ready to commit to someone like me."
Derrick sucked in his breath. He opened the door and stepped into the back seat with Erica. "Please tell me this isn't over. We don't even need to talk, and I'll give you time." He felt defeated. Everything she said was true. He couldn't deny any of it. "Erica, I want to be a better man for you, I want to be strong for you, I've yet to show you that. I'm sorry."
Her heart ached as she realized what was happening. It felt like an end. Her chest tightened as she fought back the tears that so desperately wanted to fall. She'd go back to New York in a couple of weeks, and he'd be walking the same city streets. Maybe he'd pick back up with Julie or another girl who mimicked the others. The sweater sets, the perfect short hair style, the pearls around their necks, and the pretentious attitudes developed in their childhoods courtesy of their perfect parents; the perfect wife, for the perfect man, who was a partner in the most prestigious law firm in New York City.
Derrick shut the door. "I'm going with you. If this is the last time I get to be with you, then I want the last few minutes together." The driver took off. Derrick held Erica as they drove through the city of London. They spoke no words and just held each other. The driver parked in front of Jen's townhouse. Erica reached for the door, but Derrick stopped her. "Not yet. Let me kiss you."
Erica nodded, and their lips met for the softest kiss. He cradled her face in his hands, and when he pulled away, he stared at her trying to memorize her face.
"Goodbye, Derrick."
"I love you, Erica. Call me if you ever need anything, and I promise I won't bother you. I'll give you the time you need."
Erica stepped out of the car. "Derrick, I'll call you. I'll always consider you my friend." She stood on the curb while his car pulled away.
Panicked, Erica picked up her phone. It rang, he answered. "Teddy, it's me."
"Erica, what's wrong? You don't sound right."
"Teddy, he showed up here, in London."
"What do you mean?"
"Derrick. He ran into Jen, his ex-fiancé, she invited him to dinner, I didn't know until I got there." She cried. "I pushed him away."
"Calm down my dear. It couldn't have been that bad." Teddy's wisdom made him more rational than the younger generations.
"Oh, Teddy. I love him, but he scares me."
"Oh, my dear. Derrick's a man, of course, he scares you...we are idiotic, pathetic creatures."
Erica laughed. "You really are."
“Did you receive my package?”
“No, you sent me a package?” Erica questioned.
"Yes, my dear Erica, I sent you a package. Now, hang up the phone, relax, and wait for tomorrow. Everything will be okay tomorrow."
Erica felt comforted by Teddy's words, and she went inside. She assumed by the quietness of the house that Jen and Michael went to bed. She assumed Jen would have a wicked hangover tomorrow morning. Erica quietly went to her room, washed her face, brushed her teeth, crawled into bed and cried herself to sleep.
The next morning when she woke, she felt optimistic. She had a big day ahead of her, and she needed to get an early start on things. She showered, dressed and went downstairs to grab a quick bite and some coffee before she headed out for the day.
The first stop was at her new store on Oxford Street. The painters finished up late yesterday, so she needed to inspect their work. When she arrived, the first thing she noticed was how clean they left the space. She walked around and inspected the walls. They did a beautiful job smoothing out all the imperfections left by the last tenants. The previous tenants sold inexpensive costume jewelr
y and accessories of all kinds, and because of the numerous display units hundreds of holes covered the walls. She walked to the back of the store where the employee's small break room would be. The space looked bright and peaceful with the new periwinkle color paint, a definite contrast from the severe battleship gray color that once covered the walls.
Erica's excitement grew as her vision of this new space came together. A small pile of dust piled in the corner of the room needed vacuuming. Erica pulled out the mini shop vacuum she purchased to keep up with the dust and sucked up the pile of debris. When she finished, she stood up, switched the button to off and turned to pull out the cord.
"Oh my God! Derrick, you scared me!" Erica placed her hand over her chest.
Derrick leaned on the doorjamb holding a small brown box in his hand. "What are you doing here?" She asked.
"At first, I wasn't sure, but it's becoming obvious to me."
"What's that in your hand?"
"I was told to deliver this box, to this address, and make sure I gave it to the owner." Derrick looked at the box. "I guess you are the owner."
Erica let out a deep sigh. "Yes, I'm the owner."
Derrick walked around the space. "Congratulations, what's this your fifth store?"
"Yes and my first international."
"Wonderful, I'm proud of you."
"You are. Thank you, Derrick, it's good to hear." Erica held out her hand. "So can I have my package?"
Derrick stepped closer to her and handed her the little brown box. Erica picked at the edge of the tape until she lifted it away from the box and pulled it off. She moved back the flaps of the box and took out a small object wrapped in tissue paper. She unwrapped the tissue paper. Derrick and Erica stood close together and stared at this small object.
Derrick extended his hand palm side up, and Erica rested the gift on the palm of his hand. A smile stretched across Erica's face. "That Mr. Adler, you gotta love him."
A small plastic Santa Clause sitting in a rocking chair perched on a top of a chimney rocked back and forth on Derrick's palm.
"What's he trying to tell us?" Derrick asked as he tapped Santa Clause so he'd continue rocking.
"I think he's telling us that he's Santa Clause and we're each other's gift."
Chapter 14
The Wedding
"I can't believe that ring." Rebecca sat on the couch in Erica's New York office.
"I know, it's incredible, you should've seen the first one. It was ginormous." Erica sat at her desk checking off an order form in front of her. "Should I order more of the thicker yoga mats?"
"Order six. I have a few people asking about them." Rebecca picked at her chipped nail polish. "What are you going to wear?"
"I think something gray and sexy." Erica put down her pencil and looked at Rebecca. "Let's go for a manicure this afternoon."
"Okay. But not too sexy, you don't want to outshine the bride."
"I'm not too worried about that. She's beautiful, and he loves her, the sweater set and all. He told me not to judge a book by its cover. He said underneath that sweater set and pearls is a sex kitten."
"Do you feel you're losing a friend?"
"Not at all, we'll always be friends, and besides, I like her, so it's like I'm gaining a friend." Erica stared straight ahead, as she pondered her new friendship with his girlfriend.
"But he worshiped you, and now he has her." Rebecca reminded her.
"He didn't worship me, and we're friends. Listen, I'm so happy for them. This just means our little circle of friends is growing." Erica meant it. She was happy for both of them.
The wedding was a small affair at Mr. Adler's brownstone about fifty people attended. The ceremony took place in Mr. Adler's backyard. A large trellis adorned with a variety of white and pale pink flowers created the altar for the ceremony as the guests sat in chairs covered in silky white material tied with bows in the back. The groom looked handsome as always, and the bride glowed. They were a couple in love, and everyone could feel their love.
Derrick looked over at Erica and gave her an imperceptible wink. He looked debonair in his black suit with his white shirt and gray tie, the same tie he wore the night he met Erica. Erica knew it was time to return it to its rightful owner. The makeshift altar surrounded by flowers brought softness to his strong features and broad stature. A smile stretched across his face and his posture relaxed. Erica knew Derrick was at peace with his life and the choices he made.
Although it was the bride's day, Derrick couldn't help but think about slipping that sexy gray dress off Erica's body. The silky material hugged the curves of her heart shaped ass. The entire look demanded attention and as always Derrick wanted to give it all his attention. He knew that would never change. Derrick would always want Erica. He glanced at the priest standing in front of him and tried to clear the dirty thoughts from his mind.
The priest stood before the happy couple welcoming everyone to share in their happiness on this beautiful day. He then asked the groom to repeat after him.
"I, Theodore Bernard Adler, take you, Jane Anne Price, to be my lawfully wedded wife..."
The ceremony was perfect and Mr. Adler looked like the happiest man alive, except for maybe Derrick, who had the love of his life sitting on his lap feeding him a shrimp. Derrick's hand rested on her exposed thigh while he wrapped his arm around her waist. Her big curls swung down her back while one stray curl got away. It fell over her face and stuck to her glossed lips. Derrick took his finger, pried it away and stuck it behind her ear. "Erica, let's take a walk."
Derrick returned to New York after his trip to London. Erica stayed to prepare her store for its grand opening. It took a whole month to finish the preparations but Erica felt proud when it came together. On the day of her store's grand opening, Derrick surprised her by showing up. He kept his promise and hadn't called her but Mr. Adler kept him in the loop of everything Erica.
Once again, it was Mr. Adler but this time with his fiancé, who delivered her package. Derrick came walking through the store and Erica broke down in tears. He held her and whispered in her ear, "I've sorted my shit out and I'm ready to be the man you need."
Erica didn't care if he sorted his shit or not. She missed him and couldn't be apart from him any longer. Erica lived her life accepting everything the Universe handed her except for Derrick.
The first time they met, he didn't have a condom, and she said it wasn't meant to be. The second time she met him, he was engaged to her friend, so it wasn't meant to be, the third time they met it was random in a bar - but is anything ever random. The fourth time they met, it was on a double date. The fifth time they met, another random moment at a restaurant. The sixth time they met Derrick's ex-fiancé runs into him in London, invites him to dinner and they are both surprised to see each other. The seventh time was not fate, Mr. Adler set them up and so it didn't count.
BUT...
Every time Erica ran into Derrick there existed an obstacle, a small obstacle, but a definite obstacle and Erica believed it just wasn't meant to be.
UNTIL...
The past month changed Erica's perception of all things Derrick. She continued to insist that it wasn't meant to be while all along the universe kept bringing them together. How had she been so blind? It couldn't have been more obvious if the universe dropped Derrick from the sky and he landed on top of Erica. But still, she was stubborn and right before her grand opening she asked the universe for one more sign and standing in the middle of her new London storefront, wrapped in his arms, she knew she received her answer.
Erica returned with Derrick to his hotel room later that night and they made love all night long. They spent the next day together sightseeing through London and the following day Derrick returned home to New York. Erica stayed for another month but when she returned, Derrick waited for her at the airport.
They officially became a couple. Derrick and Erica split their time between apartments and Derrick reverted to Erica's naked Superman once aga
in. He drank green sludge smoothies, they did naked yoga together, and he puffed on aromatherapy sticks. Every day he was happy. Mr. Adler had mentioned that his performance at work even improved. Derrick was an excellent lawyer but now his new way of thinking changed how he viewed everything and it showed in his work.
The first work function Erica and Derrick attended as a couple proved to be a challenge. They dressed at Derrick's apartment and Derrick waited as Erica finished. He sat waiting on the couch, sipping a scotch, daydreaming about naked Erica drying her hair. Lost in reverie, he startled when a strange woman walked into the room.
"What is that?" He asked as he stood and placed his glass down on the coffee table in front of him.
"What?" Erica smoothed out her skirt.
"You can't wear that to this dinner." Derrick walked towards her. "We're not going until you change."
"Derrick, that's cruel. I look perfectly acceptable."
"That's the problem! You don't look like you." He looked at her from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. "Where did you get that hideous outfit, anyway?"
"I'll have you know this was very expensive. The salesgirl at Saks called this business casual but not too casual that I couldn't wear it to an event like tonight."
"Take it all off, go back to our room and put something sexy on. I'm not leaving this house with you looking like that." Erica turned and stomped away. "And take your hair down. I hate that tight updo thing." He yelled out once more. "And we're returning that crap to Saks tomorrow. We'll find that sales girl and buy something else from her, something more expensive but something Erica!"
Five minutes later, Erica walked out, her long hair wild, the tops of her plump breasts revealed, and her long legs going for miles. "Now that's better." Derrick leaned down and kissed Erica on the mouth while his hand searched for the hem of her skirt and trailed underneath looking for panties... and I will not tell you what he found. I'll leave that up to your imagination.
The In-Between Girl Page 16