“Sit down, please,” Mom says as she stands up. “Would you like anything? Have you had breakfast? We have some left.”
“No, thank you. I had something at the airport,” Derek says kindly as he sits down across from Dad. “I would take glass of water though.”
Mom smiles at the request then turns around and grabs a glass. She pours some water in it and places it in front of Derek. “Thank you, ma'am,” He says politely.
Mom looks at me. “He just called me ma’am,” She says and we all laugh.
The sound of Samuel’s crying makes Natalie stand up and she hurries off to her room. I sit down as Dad begins to ask Derek about his career.
“I’ve been doing it since I was a teenager,” Derek says when my dad asks him if being in the spotlight is something he ever gets tired of. “And while there are days when I don’t feel like taking pictures or saying hi to people, it’s something that I enjoy and haven’t been bothered by it.” He pauses. “Yet.”
Natalie comes back with Samuel moments later and I offer to hold him. I’m going to miss him so much when I’m gone. I play with him and look at Derek as he answers my parent’s questions. He’s so calm and he speaks to them like he’s known them for a long time. I guess it stems from his career. He’s always had to speak to people like he’s known them for a long time whether it’s in interviews or when he’s filming.
“I would like to steal your daughter for the rest of the afternoon,” He says after about an hour of talking with my family. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“As long as you bring her back.” Mom smiles.
“Of course,” Derek says then he smiles at me. “I want to take her to meet my grandma. She lives in Portland.”
“Oh, we used to live there before we had the inn.”
“Yes, Gin told me.” Derek smiles.
“Gin?” Natalie asks confused.
I find myself blushing. “It’s just a nickname.” I explain.
She smiles looking at Derek then at me. “After what?”
Derek clears his throat and he glances at my parents nervously. I bite my lip to keep myself from laughing. He looks so nervous. I imagine he let it slip. He wasn’t anticipating telling my parents that he nicknamed me after an alcoholic drink.
“I told him that was my name when we met.” I say, surprised at how truthful I sound. “He was a stranger. I didn’t trust him.”
“It just stuck,” Derek says with a grin. He looks relieved.
I stand up with a sleeping Samuel in my arms and begin to pass him to Natalie carefully. “I’m going to change and then we can go?” I ask Derek and he nods.
“I’ll go with you,” Natalie says then she follows me to my room.
“Gin, huh?” She asks as soon as she closes the door.
I smile, knowing this was coming. “I was drinking a gin and tonic when we met at the bar. I wouldn’t tell him my name so he decided he was going to call me Gin. He’s been calling me that ever since.”
Natalie smiles then rolls her eyes. “Okay. It’s kind of cute that he has a special nickname for you.”
I smile. “What do you think of him?”
She sits on the bed and lays Samuel down carefully. He flutters but doesn’t wake up. “He’s perfect.” She frowns as she looks at me. “Too perfect.”
I sigh dreamily. “Yeah, he is.”
“He seems to really like you so that’s good,” She says slowly.
I raise my eyebrows. “But?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. Sometimes the people that seem perfect on the outside are the most messed up ones.”
I lean against the wall and take a deep breath. “Now I have doubts again. Thank you very much.”
“Again?”
I look at her then walk to my drawer and begin to pick clothes out. “There’s been some drama with his ex-girlfriend. I’m sure you’ve seen some of it.”
“Yes, and drama with you and some guy too.”
“And Kevin.” I add then shake my head. “I don’t know how Derek does it. Having people follow you around waiting for the perfect moment to take a picture to sell.”
“What about his ex-girlfriend though?” Natalie asks.
I look at her and shrug. “He has to work with her and it makes me a bit insecure…and jealous.” I bite my lip and hesitate. “Plus we had this fight because I overheard his best friend say that Derek thought about using me to make her jealous.”
“What? Are you serious?”
I nod. “I was ready to break up with him.”
“Why didn’t you? That’s pretty messed up.”
“He assured me that he’s been real with me…and I believe him.” I frown. “Am I being stupid?”
Natalie sighs. “You’re the one who knows him, Sav. You should ask him if he still has feelings for her.”
I nod slowly. “I know I have to ask him eventually. I guess I’ve been putting it off because I’m scared of his answer.”
She looks at me sympathetically. “It’s better for you to know now rather than later.”
I smile. “Remember when it was me giving you relationship advice?”
She laughs. “And it was before you were even in a relationship.”
I laugh then frown. “What happened to all my wisdom?”
“It all goes down the drain when you fall in love,” Natalie says looking down at Samuel.
I gulp at her words then begin to walk to the bathroom. “I need to go shower.”
I lock myself in the bathroom and stare at my reflection in the mirror. Then I begin to undress and get in the shower with all of these thoughts roaming inside my head. I don’t want to think about the L word. No. It’s too soon.
I block those thoughts from my head and finish my shower quickly.
Natalie helps me pick out what to wear. It’s cold outside so definitely not a dress. I end up dressing casual in jeans with a sky-blue blouse and a white cardigan. I blow dry my hair and apply some mascara and a nude lipstick.
“Is this too casual?”
Natalie shakes her head. “You look great. Are we still on for tonight?”
I nod. “Yeah, I told him. Maybe we can meet at the restaurant?”
She smiles. “I’ll text you the address. Good luck meeting his family.” She teases as I grab my purse and begin to head out.
I roll my eyes at her but smile. “Thanks. See you later.”
“Bye.” She waves from the bed as I close the bedroom door.
I walk back to the kitchen expecting awkward silence but when I walk in, my parents are laughing with Derek. He doesn’t look nervous at all. He really is good at this. Why am I so surprised? Of course he is.
He looks at me when I walk back in and smiles. “You look beautiful.”
Despite myself, I blush. “Thank you. Should we go?”
He nods then stands up and my parents stand up with him. “It was a pleasure to meet you both.”
“The pleasure was ours,” Mom says. “Should I prepare a room for you?”
Derek looks at me then back at her. “Actually, that would be great. I forgot to book a room for tonight.”
“Perfect. I’ll get one ready for you. You can leave your bag here.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
I laugh because my mom is beaming. She’s so cute. We say bye to my parents then we head out of the inn.
“I rented a car from the airport,” Derek says reaching for my hand as we walk. “It’s not a Tesla. Hope you don’t mind.” He teases.
“I guess we’ll have to make it work.” I joke and we both laugh.
He opens the passenger door for me when we reach it and I take a step forward to get in the car, but he puts his arm around my waist and crashes his lips against mine.
“Hmm,” He says against my lips. “You taste so good.” His mouth covers mine again and I put my arms around his neck and press myself closer to him. “We’re in a public parking lot, missy,” He says after a long kiss.
I open my eyes an
d laugh. “What a shame.”
He sighs, his blue eyes burning with desire. “It really is.”
39. addicted to you
Derek’s family lives in Portland. It’s about a forty-minute drive from the inn. He lets me play music and I blast it and sing along to the songs with the windows rolled down. It reminds me of that night when I rode his Tesla for the first time and he took us to his brother’s bar. It seems like ages ago.
As we get closer, he tells me that his grandma lives with his aunt, his dad’s older sister. His grandma turned 81years old a few months ago and I can’t help but hope I have a long life like her too. Their house is in a nice neighborhood. There is a community park and I look out the window and see some kids playing in the playground. I think about Samuel and how he’ll be as big as them one day.
Derek parks by the curb, outside a one-story house. We get out of the car and he reaches for my hand as we walk to the front door. He rings the doorbell.
“Don’t he nervous,” He says, squeezing my sweaty hand.
“Can’t help it,” I say nervously. For some reason, I feel like his grandma is a very special person to him. I want to make a good impression. I want her to like me, of course I’m going to be nervous.
He kisses my cheek and he pulls away as the door opens. On the other side stands a middle aged woman. She’s probably in her mid 40’s. She’s about my height with wide hips, high cheekbones, brown eyes and a pixie cut. Her face brightens when she sees Derek. “Derek! It’s so good to see you,” She says as she reaches out to hug him.
“So good to see you too,” Derek says as they pull away. “This is Savannah. Savannah, this is my aunt, Ruby.”
She smiles at me and offers me her hand. I shake it. “It’s nice to meet you.”
I smile at her. “Thank you. Nice to meet you as well.”
“Come on in, please,” She says, opening the door wider for us. Derek motions for me to walk in first and I smile then follow Ruby inside.
She turns and looks at Derek. “I have the stove on. She’s in the living room.” She places her hand on my arm. “Make yourself at home.”
“Thank you,” I say with a smile. She turns around and walks away.
Derek grabs my hand and leads me to the living room. His grandma is sitting on a rocking couch. She’s knitting something that’s purple while watching TV. She’s tiny and looks so fragile. Her white hair is curly and fluffy and she has glasses resting on her nose. She’s so cute, I just want to hug her.
“Hey, Gram,” Derek says as we walk in.
She looks up and her eyes widen in surprise. She smiles and opens her arms. “Oh my sweet boy,” She says as Derek leans in to hug her. She looks even smaller in his arms. She kisses his cheek. “You didn’t tell me you were coming.”
“I know. I’m sorry. It was unplanned,” Derek says as he straightens up. He turns to look at me and reaches for my hand. He pulls me towards him. “I want you to meet Savannah.”
I smile at her and offer her my hand. “Hi. It’s so nice to meet you.”
She smiles up at me then tugs at my hand. I lean in when I realize she wants a hug. “Oh, She’s so lovely.”
I smile at her words as I pull away. “Thank you.”
“Do you want anything to drink?” Derek asks me.
“Just a water.”
He nods then turns around and walks away while I take a seat on the couch next to Gram.
“Are you my grandson’s girlfriend?” She asks looking at me.
I nod, feeling shy for some reason. “I am, yes.”
“Are you a movie actress too?”
I shake my head. “No. I’m just a regular person.”
She smiles then places her small hand on top of mine. “Well, I already like you better than the other one.” She whispers and I laugh quietly.
I’m guessing she’s talking about Sadie. Her comment makes me feel better. What a compliment.
“She was very stuck up and didn’t like me at all,” She says picking up her knitting needles again. “I didn’t like her either so the feeling was mutual.”
I laugh softly but find myself get angry at Sadie. Who wouldn’t like Gram? She’s such a fragile and cute old lady. Even if she were mean, you always respect your elders. Was Sadie mean to her? Did Derek know?
“Where are you from, dear?”
I watch her tiny hands as she knits. “I was actually born here in Portland, but I’ve lived most of my life Newport.”
“Newport. I haven’t been there in a while. I don’t go out a lot. Ruby always gets stressed out when I ask her to take me somewhere.”
I smile. “I’m sure she just wants you to be safe.”
“Yeah, well, we’re all going to die one day. Might as well live.” She looks at her hands as she speaks. “She’s always so stressed about everything.” She looks at me. “Do you live a stressed life?”
I shrug. “The normal stress, I guess.”
“Does my grandson cause some of that stress?”
I laugh softly. “Not intentionally.”
“You two are talking about me, aren’t you?”
We look up at Derek as he comes back. He hands me a water bottle and sits next to me.
“Of course we are,” Gram says going back to her knitting.
“Hey, mom?” Ruby says as she puts on her sweater. “I’m gonna go buy some groceries. Derek and Savannah are going to stay with you.”
“Okay, darling. Bring me one of those chocolate things that you brought me last time.”
Ruby smiles. “Okay, mom.” She looks at Derek and mouths a thank you.
I just met her but I already admire Ruby so much for taking care of her mother. I know it can’t be easy and she seems devoted to her. Maybe people drop their parents at a senior living facilities when they become too old to have other people take care of them. The fact that Ruby dedicates her life to taking her of her mother is something to admire.
“Tell me about what you’re filming right now,” Gram says to Derek as she knits.
Derek rests his arm on the couch, his fingers brush against my shoulder. He leans in and presses his lips on the side of my head and then begins to tell his grandma all about his current project. He holds my hand and I play with his fingers on my lap as I listen patiently. He tells her about the new series he’ll start filming next week. My stomach drops when he says they’ll be filming in Miami for a couple months. Then the conversation comes back to me and I tell her about my parent’s inn. She promises to visit one day soon.
She has stopped knitting by then and she seems tired.
“Come on, Gram,” Derek says standing up. “Let me take you to your room.”
“Oh, yes, sweetheart. I’m a bit sleepy.” She smiles at me. “It’s time for my afternoon nap.”
I smile back at her and watch as Derek helps her stand up and then they walk down the hall. I love how much he cares about her. To everyone else, he’s a celebrity but to her, he’s her grandson. I can tell they’re very close and I’m glad that I’ve seen this side of him. He seems so normal in this house with his grandma.
I stand up and look around at the pictures on the wall. There are some of Gram when she was younger and there’s a lot of pictures of Derek and his siblings as kids, probably before their lives became so open to the public.
Derek walks back into the room and he puts his arm around my waist from behind. His palm rests on my stomach. I smile as he places a kiss on the crook of my neck.
“Do you want to see my room?” He whispers in my ear.
I turn to look at him. “You have a room here?”
He nods with a small smile then we begin to walk down the hall. “I’ve been visiting since I was a teenager so my grandma let me have one of the rooms. It’s where I stay when I come.” He opens one of the bedroom doors and we walk in.
It’s a very basic room. It has a queen size bed with white sheets and nightstands on either side of it. There’s a TV on the wall across from the bed and a drawer.<
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“There’s nothing special about it,” Derek says behind me as I walk into the bathroom. “I just wanted you all to myself.”
I look at him on the reflection in the mirror and roll my eyes. “You could’ve just said that.”
He grins then grabs me by the waist. He spins me around so I’m facing him and then he picks me up and sits me on the space next to the sink. I spread my legs open and he stands in between them. We’re at eye level and we look at each other for a moment. I raise my hand and touch his cheek. He closes his eyes and sighs. I trail his eyes, his nose, his lips and his sharp jawline with my index finger. His hands rest on my thighs and I put my arms around his neck and press my lips against his.
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