I caught sight of Jack across the room. He was leaning heavily against the bar, his tie loosened, with another drink in his hand. He was staring at us with a bitter expression, and I knew that he was gearing up for another scene.
“Derek,” I whispered, touching his arm. “We should go.”
He followed my gaze and saw Jack. “Yeah. Let’s get out of here.”
We made our excuses and headed for the exit. The cool night air hit my face as we stepped outside, and I breathed it in.
“That went better than expected,” Derek said as we started stepping down the marble steps. “You were amazing in there, Paige. The way you handled Jack?—”
My heel caught on the edge of a step.
I felt myself stumbling forward, arms flailing uselessly, and for a moment I was certain I was about to face-plant on the marble stairs in front of half the city’s elite.
Then Derek’s arm shot out, catching me around the waist and yanking me back against his chest.
“Careful,” he said. “You okay?”
“I… yes. Sorry. These heels are ridiculous,” I said, clutching the lapels of his suit. I looked down at the stilettos that had seemed like a good idea three hours ago and now felt like torture. “I can barely walk in them.”
Derek glanced at them and then, to my absolute shock, he kneeled down in front of me.
“What are you doing?”
“Helping you.” His hands circled my ankle, gentle but firm, and he slipped off one heel, then the other. “These are dangerous. Someone could get seriously hurt.”
“Derek, it’s fine?—”
Before I could finish the sentence, he straightened up and swept me up into his arms. Bridal carry. As if I weighed nothing.
“Oh my God,” I gasped, blood rushing to my face. “Derek, put me down. I’m too heavy, you’re going to hurt yourself?—”
“You’re not heavy,” he said with a smile, his strength making my heart flutter. “You’re perfect. I could carry you home if you want to.”
“Stop it. I’m not… oh no—people are staring. The photographers?—”
Flash. Flash. Flash.
Sure enough, the photographers were having a field day as Derek carried me down the steps. I buried my face in his shoulder, embarrassed at having caused a scene.
I should’ve just worn sneakers.
“Let them stare,” Derek said, and I could hear the confidence in his voice. “This is exactly the kind of photo we want. Romantic and caring boyfriend taking care of his hot girlfriend.”
“I cannot believe you just picked me up like…like?—”
“As if you’re the most valuable thing?” He asked, looking at me with his blue eyes full of warmth. “Because you are. Remember, I used to piggyback you all the time when we were young.”
Yes. Yes, I remembered. How can I not?
But we were kids. Now, we are not.
My heart jumped in my chest seeing his smile, which should come with a warning label.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“So you keep telling me.”
He carried me all the way to the car, setting me down on the passenger seat. I hadn’t even realized that he was still holding my heels.
