She closed the sketchbook and gave him a smile.“Well, thank you.”
Derek’s gaze lingered on her for a few extra moments, as if he wanted to say something else.Her stomach growled and he looked away.“Food’s ready.”
“You know, a girl could get used to morning sex and a hot man making French toast for her.”
Derek laughed.“Yeah?Well then, it’s a shame the weekend isn’t longer.”
Abbie couldn’t decide whether she was relieved or sad at his joking comment.It wasn’t as though he was suggesting they continue seeing each other either.That was enough of an answer to her unasked question about a possible future together.Abbie’d had enough rejection in her life that she didn’t want to experience it from Derek, too.
His life was the antithesis of what she wanted – at least the very public part of his life was.The sex, the baking, the humor, his smile, his warmth – those were all things she’d been looking for in a partner.Someone who made her feel safe and like she didn’t have to prove that she was worthy of attention and love.Not one of her exes had made her feel anything close to how Derek made her feel.
Derek broke the extended silence first.“Life is weird.Thank goodness for French toast.”
“Indeed.French toast and bacon.”
He bopped his forehead.“Ah, we don’t have anybacon!”
“No, no.We don’t need it; I was just adding to your declaration.You can’t make a sweeping statement about breakfast food and not include bacon.”
“French toast and bacon are the superior foods.”
Abbie hesitated, unsure of how much of her heart she wanted on her sleeve.“You would love the food at my cousin’s diner.”
“Good breakfast food?”
“Voted best on Long Island three years running.They changed the menu around when my cousin took over.He added some new things that the customers went crazy over.”
“Oh yeah?I’ll have to try it some time.”
If they were in a real relationship, they could go together.On a date.Eventually.
Derek nudged her with his shoulder.“You okay, Abbie?”
“Yeah.”Derek looked skeptical, so she tried to change the subject.“Thinking about how much I wish we had bacon.”
Derek laughed and reached for her hand.He gazed at her, an unreadable expression on his face.
“I’ve had a great time with you this weekend, Abbie.I didn’t know what to expect, but I didn’t think it would be this hard today.”
Abbie didn’t know what to say.The weekend had exceeded any expectation she’d set for it, which had been a simple ‘have a lot of sex.’“You’ve surprised me in a lot of ways, Derek.I’m having a hard time, too.”
There were celebrities that were able to keep their private lives private, right?Whose partners and spouses weren’t in the same spotlight?Maybe she and Derek could find a way.Abbie wasn’t ready to put herself out there yet, but hope sprouted as a little bud in her heart.