I grin. “It did, didn’t it? I don’t think he had the faintest idea. I couldn’t have done it without your help.”
Derek had Nathan convinced we were going out to dinner tonight and told him he’d have to make his own plans for the evening. Derek shrugs. “All I did was provide the distraction to throw him off the scent.”
“How was he in the car on the ride from the airport?” I ask. Nathan has been nothing but supportive of my relationship with Derek, but there’s been a niggle in the back of my mind that things might change when he sees us face-to-face.
Derek brushes a hand across my lower back. “Hey, like I said, he’s fine. He’s happy for us both. I even had to sit through the ‘if you ever hurt my little brother, I’ll kill you’ speech again.”
I huff a laugh. “He’s protective. What can I say?”
“And he’s not the only one.” Derek meets my gaze, his hand tightening on my hip.
Tim only made one more appearance. He was drunk and belligerent, but Derek was there by my side as I told Tim once and for all that he wasn’t welcome. Derek supported me when I contacted Tim’s family to let them know he needed help, and he’s stood by me ever since.
I throw him a smile, then lean in and bring our lips together. He’s wearing the spicy cologne that gets my pulse racing. “If it wasn’t for the fact that we’re in a room full of people, I’d show you how much I appreciate your protectiveness,” I murmur against his cheek.
“And I’d let you,” he whispers back.
The sound of a throat clearing has me pulling back, face flushing when I see Nathan’s expression.
He waggles his brows. “Don’t let me interrupt.”
“I take back what I said about it being great to have you home,” Derek says.
Nathan laughs. “Being home is going to be soooo much fun. But seriously, I wanted to say thanks for arranging all this. You didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”
“It’s the least I could do,” I say. “I wanted to thank you for letting me stay here while you were away.”
“Anytime, little bro.” Nathan reaches out to ruffle my hair, but I duck in a move I’ve been practicing since childhood.
“You probably won’t be saying that next week.” I chuckle. “It’s bound to be an adventure with the two of us squashed into this small apartment.”
We chat for a while, Nathan filling us in on his move home, and me providing an update on my work situation. After completing Derek’s home office, I’ve taken on a few private jobs, but I’m mostly kept busy working for a small building company.
Eventually a couple of Nathan’s friends drag him off, and Derek steers me through the crowd, his hand warm on my lower back. We head out the sliding doors onto the balcony, the only two braving the chilly evening. He slides the doors shut so the music and conversation fades.
“It’s freezing out here, so this better be good,” I tease.
He turns to face me, expression serious. “I wanted to give you this in private.”
My stomach clenches as all sorts of possibilities enter my head. As usual, I jump to the negative but give myself a mental shake. It’s a habit I’m trying to get out of.
“What is it?” I ask tentatively.
Instead of answering, Derek reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small velvet box. He holds it out to me, gaze locked on my face.
I stare at the box, hardly daring to breathe.Oh my God.
My hands shake as I take it from him and slowly lift the lid. Nestled inside on the black satin is a single silver key.
I frown, confusion warring with the ache of disappointment in my chest.It’s not—Of course it’s not.What was I thinking? It’s not as if I’d entertained any thoughts of marriage. We’ve only been together for six months.
Derek’s fingers curl around my wrist, thumb stroking over my skin. “Ryan. Look at me.”
I drag my gaze up from the key to meet his. His eyes are soft, and a gentle smile tugs his lips. My heart skips a beat.
“This is just a key for now,” he says quietly. “But one day, I hope to exchange it for something more permanent. If you’ll have me.”
Warmth floods my chest, chasing away any confusion or disappointment.
