Chapter 32
Mia
“Mia, I don’t think this is a good idea,” Zoe complained. It had taken some convincing and a hell of a lot of fast talking, but somehow I’d managed to convince Zoe to take this chance with me.
When I’d found the letter on Derek’s bedside table, once I got past the shock, I didn’t know what to do next. I’d woken up feeling so happy, so ridiculously horny, and very at home in Derek’s room. Then I stumbled across the invitation. For ten minutes, I’d sat, perched on the corner of Derek’s bed, debating what to do. I didn’t know. I knew I shouldn’t have snooped, and I really did regret doing so, but once I’d found it I couldn’t pretend I hadn’t seen it.
When I’d stumbled into the kitchen, Zoe was looking worse for wear as she shuffled about the kitchen organizing the amazing coffee I could smell filling the air. Slumping onto the stool at the breakfast bar, I offered Zoe a slight smile as she pushed the biggest mug I’d ever seen filled full of steaming coffee into my hands.
“Thanks.”
“How’s your head?”
“Attached, unfortunately. Yours?”
“Next time I think this is a good idea, remind me how I feel right now. Okay?”
“Yeah,” I agreed as my head pounded.
I sipped my coffee, burning my tongue. It was strong and bitter and I hated it, right now though, I needed it. When she flopped onto the stool beside me I noticed that Zoe looked as bad as I felt. Her long hair was everywhere, her eyes were barely cracked open and were crusted over with sleep. She was creeping around the apartment, almost as if a sudden movement would have horrific consequences.
“Did I hear your phone going off earlier?”
I didn’t want to lie, but I didn’t want to tell Zoe, either. The invitation was weighing heavily on me and I was praying for a sign to tell me what the right decision was. Nothing was coming to me, so I went with the truth.
“Yeah, sorry. I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“No, not at all. I’d already been up for a while.”
“Good.”
There was a strange silence that settled over us and my eyes fell closed. A moment later, Zoe grabbed my hand, dropping two white capsules in it. “Aspirin.”
“Lifesaver.” Quickly I swallowed the tablets and hoped they’d kick in soon.
“So, how’d you sleep?” Zoe had this mischievous grin dancing on her lips and her eyes lit up. At least her caffeine hit was kicking in.
“Fine. Why?”
“Just thought it might have been weird.”
“Why would it be weird?”
“You know, sleeping in Derek’s bed.”
“I’ve slept there before.” It came out before I could stop it. When I lifted my head and met Zoe’s eyes, she winked. She fucking winked at me. Bitch! Needing to divert the conversation away from my sleeping arrangements, I broached the invite. “So…any idea what Derek’s up to while he’s away?”
“No. Why? Do you?”
I shrugged. The words were itching to come out but I didn’t want to hurt Zoe. Or Derek, for that matter. Knowing him, if he had hidden Zoe’s invite, there was a damn good reason. Even though I’d only known her for a short time, from where I was standing I could see how far she’d come. From that first day when Derek had almost dragged her through the gym doors while she hid behind him shaking to now, when she strode in, head held high, and she worked there. Geez, these days she was basically running the place and I was so thankful for that. For the first time since the doors had opened, I felt like I could have a holiday. A break. A couple of days to myself. Something I was seriously considering. Thailand was calling me.
“Yeah.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you know where he went?”
“No. He just said he’d be out of town for a couple of days to take care of some things. I didn’t ask.” Zoe seemed blasé. A small part of me felt relieved. With one simple statement any concerns I had about Zoe and Derek being more, even the worries I hadn’t wanted to admit, faded away.
