She owed that insight to Derek as strange it seemed. It made her smile to think how far they’d come together. His comic was a true starting over. And she missed him, thought of him. And she knew for certain that she was deeply in love with him.
She recalled the last thing she’d said to Derek. Trust yourself. Right now she planned to take her own advice.
* * *
For the fourth time Friday afternoon Derek walked to his office doorway and looked at Molly. She obviously didn’t even have to lift her head to know he was standing there because her gaze stayed on her computer as she spoke.
“You’ve asked me four times. Don’t you think if it had come I would have brought it to you? Good grief.”
“Sorry. Of course you would.” Derek sighed.
Molly finally glanced over, her face full of concern. “What are you hoping will come today?”
“Just … something. Nothing to be worried about.”
“Right, you pacing the floor is very convincing.” She laughed and then shook her head. “Go focus on something else. I can see the mailbox from my window so as soon as he pulls up I’ll know.”
Derek nodded. “Okay. Thank you, Molly.” He stepped over behind her desk and looked out the window.
“Scram. I can’t work very hard at perusing Pinterest while you’re standing here. I feel guilty.”
“Sure you do,” Derek said.
He walked back into his office and plopped down in his desk chair. It was ridiculous to be so anxious. He wasn’t even certain Lindsey would reply. Then again he hadn’t been certain she’d reply eight years ago. But she had.
The problem might be the timing. She’d have gotten his mailing yesterday. For him to get something back today she’d have had to put it right back in the mail. Why had he put his office address? It was Friday. If she happened to put it in the mail today he wouldn’t get it until Monday. No, he’d just have to swing by tomorrow and check the box. He made a mental note to get the key from Molly before she left.
Good Lord, he was going insane.
He heard Molly’s chair creak from the front room, followed by her footsteps. He shot out of his chair and into the front office.
“You gonna race me?” she asked with a grin. Derek could see the mail truck out the window.
“Give me the key. Hurry.” He held out his hand.
“If you go now you won’t need it. He’ll just hand it to you.”
Derek picked up his pace and headed out the front door. Their mail guy was chatting with Mike as he dug through the piles in his truck.
“Hey, man,” Mike said with an odd grin. “What are you doing out here?”
“Just getting the mail. Obviously,” Derek said. He’d never met the mailman, but apparently Mike spent a lot of his workday shootin’ the breeze.
“Well, like I was sayin’, Jack.” Mike gave Derek a sidelong glance as he continued to speak. “Have your son just bring it over. I can look at the brakes.”
“Thanks, Mike. I appreciate it. Never can be too safe.”
Derek wanted to yell for them to hurry it up but waited patiently. Finally Jack the mailman reached out and handed Mike the mail.
“Later,” Mike said to Jack as he pulled away. Derek waited anxiously as his friend took his sweet-ass time sifting through the envelopes.
“Man, I was really hoping for some catalogs today. Or a magazine. I haven’t gotten a magazine in a while.”
Derek sucked in a breath. “Can you hurry?”
They shared a mailbox. Or rather, Mike used Derek’s office mailing address since technically the back of the building didn’t have its own. Finally handing over the stack, Mike gave him an odd look.
“Fine. Here. What’s gotten your ass in a twist?”
“Nothing. Just need to get back to work.”
Mike gave him a smirk and turned around. He spoke over his shoulder as he walked back toward his shop. “Quit freaking out, man. It’s in there.”
Derek froze and turned to Mike. His best friend turned and began to walk backward. He held up his hand and pointed at Derek. “I told you Anne tells me everything.”
Shaking his head, Derek walked back into his office as he sorted through the mail. Mike had said it was in there.
“Find what you’re looking for?” Molly asked from her desk.
Finally his hand closed around a small blue envelope and his entire body exhaled when he saw Lindsey’s name in the upper right corner. “Yes, I did.”
Derek tossed the unimportant mail on Molly’s desk and instantly retreated to his office. He thought he heard her mutter something about him being no fun but he didn’t have time to care. Shutting the door, he rounded his desk and sat down while carefully opening the envelope.
Inside was the same paper he’d sent her. Same two-paneled comic, his side filled out and hers …
His tense expression slid into a grin as he read her response.
“We have met. One of the best days of my life, actually. I’m Lindsey.”
Derek felt as if he could nearly cry with relief, but it was her note at the bottom that did him in.
I love you, too. Always have, always will.
Without hesitation Derek picked up his pencil and began a new drawing. The first time they’d played this game it had lasted a while. And they’d both enjoyed it, passing the comics back and forth, flirting through their words. There was no hurry this time. They’d botched this second chance enough already and he wasn’t going to do it again.
Mike and Anne’s wedding was the following weekend. They would see each other at the rehearsal and of course at the wedding. She would be dressed up, beautiful, as she always was. It was meant to be a happy occasion, but he wouldn’t survive it if he wasn’t able to touch her. Kiss her.
That meant he had exactly one week to woo the woman of his dreams. The woman he loved. He had to convince her that this time it would be worth it. This time they would come out on the other side together.
Twenty-Five
Lindsey pulled into the driveway of Anne and Mike’s completed farmhouse. She’d seen it so many times, in so many stages, but today it finally looked like a home. Twin black rockers sat to the left of the front door, lilac pennant banners ran the length of the porch railing, and two giant urns flanking the steps were filled with ferns.
Mike had moved in a few days ago—along with almost all of their possessions—but Anne and Claire wouldn’t officially move in until after the wedding.
Callie burst through the front door and ran down the steps toward Lindsey’s vehicle, blond curls flying around her head. Lindsey opened her driver side door and waved.
“Need help?” Callie asked, a little breathless.
“Sure. There’s a box in the back you can grab.”
The past few days all of the girls had been busy tackling odds and ends for the wedding. Callie had obviously baked the cake, as well as various cupcakes and cookies for the dessert table, and also helped Anne with whatever came up. Lindsey had been in charge of various decorations and place cards. For that she’d found the most perfect giant vintage frame with ornate filigree. She’d painted it, run burlap twine strings across the width, and hung each hand-printed kraft paper card on the strings with a mini clothespin. Another of her projects had been preparing all the various signs for the ceremony and reception, and the past few days had been a flurry of spray and chalkboard paint, glue guns, and ribbon. She and Mel had done a lot of the work together on the deck at home—it had been fun. And she loved how everything had come out.
Anne, Lindsey, and Callie had agreed to meet today to do some staging so they could get a few teaser photos for the blog. The official wedding post would come when the professional photographer had their photos ready from the actual day. But the readers were clamoring for a peek. They’d shared the process with them, asked for their input, and now everyone was anxious.
Lindsey grabbed a handful of handmade signs from her backseat and followed Callie up to the house. Once in
side she couldn’t believe the transformation. The ambiance of the space had changed dramatically. It felt … happy. Complete. Anne had clearly been there decorating, since many of the pieces from her current home hung on the walls. The entryway table Lindsey had made held a selfie of Mike, Anne, and Claire from the day of the proposal. Next to it sat a painted Mason jar full of fresh flowers.
In complete awe, Lindsey walked down the hallway to the living room. She sucked in a breath as she took it all in. Together Anne and Mike had purchased some new furniture. It was gray linen, a bit modern but warm and inviting lined with pillows of various coordinating fabrics. The mantel Lindsey had stained was also covered with silver picture frames. Of course against the wall sat a massive flat-screen TV. Totally Mike’s touch.
“What do you think?” Anne said beside Lindsey.
She turned and grinned at her friend. “I think I want to move in.”
Anne laughed and threw her hands around Lindsey’s shoulders. “Thank you so much for helping me create my dream house.”
At the sound of tears in Anne’s voice Lindsey turned and hugged her back. “Oh Anne, don’t cry. It was my pleasure.”
They held each other for a long moment until Anne pulled back and swiped at her eyes. For the first time Lindsey took in Anne’s outfit. Sweats and a dirty T-shirt. She didn’t think she’d ever seen Anne in such disarray and she couldn’t help laughing.
“I know!” Anne protested, her tears melting into a laugh. “I’m a mess. I’ve been a mess for months and that’s why I’m so thankful for you. And Callie.”
Lindsey looked over to where Callie leaned against the door frame of the living room. “We’d do it all again for you, Anne,” she said.
“I know you would. And I can’t wait to return the favor for both of you. I’ve just been so overwhelmed with the blog, my daughter, Mike, planning a wedding, renovating a new house. I really don’t know what I’d have done without both of you.”
Anne turned to Lindsey. “I knew you would take my wishes for this renovation and just … take care of everything. And even though you had to work with Derek. Oh Linds, you don’t know how much it means to me. And Mike, too. We are both so happy with how the house looks.”
Lindsey smiled, wiping a tear from her eye. “I’m so glad. And it wasn’t so bad. You know … working with Derek.”
All three of them laughed through their tears.
“No kidding,” Callie said. “You should be thanking Anne!”
Anne smiled. “Did you get another comic today?”
“I did. And I’ve already replied.” Every other day she received mail from him and had continued to reply the same day. It was so much like the first time, and she knew he was trying to make up for all the ways things had gone wrong for them. Start fresh.
“So what now?” Anne asked. “Mike said Derek hasn’t said much, but he does know that he had a talk with Lisa.”
Lindsey nodded. She’d been pretty certain he did but it was nice to have confirmation.
“I know it’s not my place to tell you any of it, but I wanted you to know. He’s trying to make everything right.”
Lindsey smiled. “I know. We’ll get there. I know it.”
* * *
Derek leaned back on Mike’s new couch, beer in hand, and took a deep breath. He’d taken Friday off to be there for his best friend on the day before his wedding. Rehearsal day. They’d planned to spend the afternoon at the house hanging out while various vendors came by to drop things off for the wedding on Saturday.
Today there would be no reply in the mail. She would have received the last envelope herself this afternoon. And while he was pretty damn certain she would give him the response he wanted, he was still nervous as hell. And anxious. In fact, waiting was making him crazy. He glanced at his watch.
Four more hours.
“You want another sandwich?” Mike called from the doorway.
“Nah. I’m good. Thanks.” Derek blew out a breath.
“Dude. You need to chill out. It’s gonna be fine. You know this girl’s crazy about you.”
“Is that something else Anne has told you? Did she say if Lindsey will show?”
Mike pulled a hesitant face. “That she did not, but dude, calm down. I have a good feeling about this. She’s been replying so you know she’ll play along with this.”
A few hours ago Derek had thought he’d had a good feeling about it also. Mike was right. She had replied to every letter. Filled in dialogue and even added her own drawings. Had even said she loved him. But every second that ticked by he got a little more nervous. He’d put it all on the line for this woman. Something he should have done long ago.
After an hour of lounging around, then setting up tables and chairs, and then finally getting ready, Derek walked out of the upstairs bathroom to find Mike walking out of the master bedroom.
Instantly Derek’s face broke out in a wide grin.
“Do I look pretty?” Mike asked, hands out to the sides to showcase his outfit. He was wearing pressed flat-front khaki pants, a light blue button-up shirt, and a tie with a muscle car on it.
“Beautiful. You can take the grease monkey out of the garage but you can’t take the garage out of the grease monkey. Isn’t that how that saying goes?” Derek teased him.
“You shut your mouth,” Mike said. “My … stepdaughter gave me this tie for Christmas. I’m just now getting the chance to wear it.”
“Stepdaughter? Are you just now trying that word on for size?” Derek grinned. It made him realize how much he wanted Lindsey to say something similar about Tanner.
“It feels weird, saying it,” Mike said as they walked down the stairs. “But good. I mean, she can’t call me uncle forever. That would be fucked up.”
“No kidding,” Derek said, as they made it to the first floor. “So uh … I’m just gonna … go do this thing. Hopefully.”
Mike turned in the entryway and stuck out his hand. “She’ll be here. I mean, obviously she’ll be here. It’s the wedding rehearsal. But I have no doubt she’ll be out there for you.”
Derek took his friend’s hand and Mike pulled him into a guy hug, slapping him on the back. They pulled apart and Derek took a deep breath.
“Now don’t go crying on me,” Mike said.
Derek glared at him. “I’m not gonna cry.”
Mike grinned. “I don’t know, dude. Need I remind you about—”
“Good God, yes, I cried at Forrest Gump. Can we never discuss that again?”
Mike chuckled as he headed down the stairs, speaking over his shoulder. “You’re a sap, Walsh. But I love you.”
Derek shook his head and followed Mike down the stairs before walking down the hall, through the kitchen, and out the sliding doors. He passed through the garden, which was loaded with fully blooming bulbs and the white fence was bursting with lilacs. Their sweet scent filled the air. It really was a beautiful place to get married.
Hitting the grass, Derek crossed the yard and headed right for the giant tree. This was where the comic version of him asked Lindsey to meet him. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He was in knots over this woman. Had been for years, and he was resigned to the fact that he didn’t ever want to live without her. And now all he could do was hope she felt the same way and was ready to finally be his for good.
Twenty-Six
Lindsey was late. Fifteen minutes late due to a rush-hour accident on the highway out to Preston. On top of that she’d left her phone at home. Of all the damn days. This was not fate trying to tell her something. Definitely not. Heart pounding and palms sweating, she pulled into the driveway, threw open her car door, and began to run up the gravel driveway.
In a dress. And heels.
This could end badly.
“Girl, slow down, you’re gonna fall,” Callie called from the porch steps.
“Can’t … have to go,” Lindsey yelled as she rounded the side of the house. Before she turned the corner she stopped short and took a
breath. And another. And then pushed her hair out of her face.
“Okay,” she whispered to herself, her voice breathless.
She turned the corner, rounded the garden, and stopped. From this spot in the yard she could see the tree. It was by itself. He wasn’t there. Her shoulders dropped.
“Lindsey.”
Jerking her head to the side, she saw him. He was walking from the opposite side of the house. He looked so gorgeous in dress pants and a white button-up shirt. It was unbuttoned at the top, just the way she liked it, the smooth tan skin of his collarbone exposed.
“Derek.” She ran straight to him. Right before she collided with him, he held out his arms, pulling her into his embrace. “I was afraid you’d left.”
“No, babe.” He squeezed her hard, crushing their chests together so tightly she had to turn her head to the side. “I’d gone out front looking for you. Waiting.”
“I’m sorry I was late. Eden had spit up on my dress … and then there was a highway accident, I forgot my—”
She was shushed by Derek’s arms firmly grabbing her shoulders as he pushed her away far enough to look down into her eyes. “It doesn’t matter. You’re here. Had you not come out back, I’d have gone inside and hunted you down, Lindsey Morales.”
She grinned before wrapping her arms around his neck. Their lips met softly and his hands went into her hair. They kissed long and slow, taking turns nipping at one another.
“I missed you,” she whispered, nuzzling into his neck. She would never get enough of the scent of his cologne, the strength of his arms around her. The feel of his lips on hers. Finally Derek leaned his forehead on hers, touching her lips with his thumb.
“I missed you more,” he said.
“I loved the comic strips,” she said.
He grinned. “I’m glad. I loved getting yours back. I was so afraid you wouldn’t respond.”
“How could I not? It’s how we started. And you already knew I loved you.”
“I hoped it was enough,” he said.
He kissed her once more. When they finally pulled apart she looked up at him. “I heard you talked to Lisa.”
Draw Me Close Page 25
