Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 102834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Perhaps I could explain to Aunt Nell the next time I saw her that just because she’d gone through a terrible thing, it didn’t mean the same was going to happen to me. I tried to convince myself that she’d understand and give me her blessing, but for some reason, the pit in my stomach remained.
5.
Derek
Something had changed. Ever since Milly’s parents and aunt had come home, I’d felt her withdrawing from me, and I had no idea why. We’d sat at her kitchen table talking for ages, and I’d felt like we’d broken down a barrier, gotten closer. But then, nothing.
I didn’t hear from her for days.
When Nuala asked if I’d invite Milly to her girls’ night in with Charli, I took a chance, and surprisingly, Milly agreed to go. The lads and I were at Aidan’s hanging out. Our parents were away at an event and the plan was to let my sister have the house for the night, but I was struggling to stick to that plan. I wanted to see Milly, speak to her, reassure myself that the connection we shared wasn’t all in my own head.
“How about I call Francesca and a few of the girls to come over?” Aidan suggested.
“No,” I said grouchily. “I’m still pissed at her for how she acted when Milly got drenched with the ice water at your party.”
Tristan threw his hands up. “Can I just say I’m still feeling particularly shitty about that?”
“Good. Your guilt should last until Christmas at least,” I said and noticed Aidan smirking at me.
“Don’t you like Fran? She’s a big fan of yours.”
“No, I do not like her. She was a bitch to Milly when it took me weeks to get the girl to agree to come to a party with me in the first place.”
“First world problems,” Theo said with a chuckle. “Poor Derek. So many pretty girls to choose from.”
I lifted my middle finger in response then noticed my brother was scrutinising me for a long moment before he said, “I think we should go back to our house. Hang out with Nuala, Charli and Milly for a while.”
“I’m up for that,” Theo said, noticeably eager. I was thoroughly aware of his crush on my sister. So far, though, he hadn’t made a move. Wise lad.
Tristan shot me a look that said, Don’t thank me, and for once, I was grateful to him because I wanted to go back to our house something fierce. I just didn’t want to give Aidan the satisfaction of knowing how gone I was for Milly. He could be particularly insufferable when he found out one of us had a crush on a girl.
Once it was unanimous, we all squeezed into my car, and I drove us back to our house.
“What are you all doing here?” Nuala complained as soon as we walked into the kitchen. She, Charli and Milly were sitting by the counter sipping on fruity cocktails. I made a beeline for the empty stool next to Milly, bumping her shoulder with mine.
“Hello.”
Her gorgeous blue eyes lifted. “Hi Derek.”
“Having a good night?”
“Mm-hmm,” she replied quietly.
God, she was so pretty. I was distracted staring at her, vaguely aware of Rhys tasting some of Charli’s cocktail and exclaiming, “That’s strong.”
“Of course, it’s strong,” my sister replied. “I stole a bottle of Grey Goose from Dad’s liquor cabinet. Oh, and some triple sec.”
I frowned down at the pink cocktail, worried about Nuala plying Milly with alcohol. She had a petite build, and she’d mentioned during one of our car rides that she didn’t drink a lot. “Christ, have you been drinking this, too?” I asked.
She nodded sheepishly, a flush to her cheeks that indicated she might be tipsy. “Yep.”
“You okay? My sister hasn’t been peer pressuring you into drinking, has she?”
“Not at all. I’ve been enjoying myself. You don’t need to worry.” She reached up, and I was a little transfixed by her touching me. Her finger went to my forehead, smoothing over my frown lines as she tutted. “Such a worrier.” Okay, so she was kind of an adorable drunk. “You smell good,” she went on, her gaze fixed on my collar for some reason.
“Yeah?”
“It’s a little frustrating,” she continued quietly, and every part of me perked up.
“Why’s that?”
Her flush deepened. “Because I really shouldn’t …” she trailed off then appeared to censor herself. “Just is.”
I let the subject drop, not wanting to embarrass her. Besides, she’d shifted closer to me on her stool, and I could smell her flowery perfume. It was sweet and delicate, just like her. I kind of understood her statement because her scent made me want to bury my face in her neck and inhale. Frustrating, indeed. I mean, I’d always liked how girls smelled, but I’d never been struck with such an animalistic urge. It took me off guard a little.