“Sounds like you got your life together.” She tried to keep her voice casual, but her heart actually ached with pride.
“Too late. By the time I got my shit sorted, you and Randy were engaged. I figured you deserved better than me, anyway.”
Trying not to jostle Maya, she pulled far enough away to punch Derek in the arm. “Dumb ass. Why would you think that?”
“C’mon, look at you. You’re perfect. You’re smart and funny and driven. Ever since we were kids, you always knew you wanted to be a teacher. You know what you want, and you go get it.”
Artie opened her mouth to respond, but shock kept her silent.
“Me, on the other hand,” he continued, “everyone knows I’m the screwup.”
“You’ve never been a screwup,” she protested, her voice a little higher pitched than usual. She’d never imagined that Derek saw either of them that way. “You’re just as smart as I am, Derek. Probably smarter. And you’re clever and selfless and brave and you risk your life every day to save other people. You turned your entire life around when it would’ve been easier just to join your dad in his business. How could you think you’re a screwup?”
“Right. So I didn’t get you into all that trouble when we were kids.”
She laughed. “That’s true. You did get me in trouble all the time.”
“See? Screwup. If we hadn’t been friends, you probably would’ve started the Simpson Junior Social Services Club and eliminated poverty in Field County or some shit before you were out of junior high. Instead, I dragged you down into delinquency with me.”
His melodramatic tone made her laugh again. “Derek. Stop. Sure, we got in trouble a lot, and the stuff we did was usually your idea, but I don’t regret it at all. You were the reason I had any fun growing up.”
He studied her for a minute before one corner of his mouth lifted, just a shadow of his usual smirk. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Grinning at him, she added, “Besides, your version of my ideal childhood sounds hella boring.”
Finally, he laughed, leaning closer so he could kiss her. “You’re amazing, Artemis Rey.”
“I know.”
With his lips still close to hers, he chuckled again. Warm air brushed her skin, and she closed her eyes, clinging to the moment.
“You’re pretty incredible yourself, Derek Warner,” she said, her voice husky. “I’m sorry I let you break up with me.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t get my shit together sooner.” With a final kiss, he raised his head. “And I’m sorry I didn’t steal you away from Randy and tell you that I’ve loved you since we were thirteen.”
Her eyes went wide. “Nuh-uh.”
“Yeah-huh.”
“You have not.”
“Have too.”
Why does Derek always reduce me to an eight-year-old when we argue?she wondered, trying to frown. Her lips kept insisting on curling upward, however. “Well, I’ve loved you since we weretwelve.”
Shifting a sleeping Zoe, he freed the arm closer to Artie and curled it around her shoulders. “So you’re really okay with being stuck with me for good?”
“Just try to get rid of me.” Knowing that Derek was hers again was making her giddy. “I’m a barnacle. A leech. A wood tick. A—”
“Okay, okay.” He laughed, kissing her temple. “I get the picture. You’re stuck with me, and I’m stuck with you. Forever.”
“Forever.” As she cuddled closer to Derek, tightening her arms around the sleeping child in her lap, she smiled so hard her cheeks hurt. Forever with Derek. It sounded wonderful.
* * *
Steve’s was the first voice they heard. “Zoe! Maya!”
“Here!” Derek bellowed, making both girls startle awake. “We’re here!”
