Chapter 57

Standing on my front doorstep, Derek gave me a knowing smirk. "Where's your boyfriend?" He turned and made a show of looking at the driveway, where Joel's car had been parked the last time Derek had stopped by.

That was how long ago? Three days? Or was it four?

Still half-asleep, I rubbed at my eyes. The morning sun felt too bright and too harsh. I squinted at my unwelcome visitor. "What?"

Derek turned to face me, and his gaze dipped to my thin rumpled shorts and matching tank-top. "You just getting up?"

I gave him an annoyed look. His clothes weren't rumpled. He was wearing a gray business suit and striped yellow tie. He looked fresh and wide awake, like he'd had plenty of sleep and the perfect double cappuccino.

Well, goodie for him.

I ignored his question and tossed back one of my own. "Is your phone working?"

"You mean my cell phone?"

"Yeah." I felt my jaw clench. "Your cell phone."

He reached into his pocket and pulled it out. Frowning now, he studied the display. "Yeah. Why?"

"Because next time, you can use that thing to call first, okay?"

He stiffened. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying, I don’t want you popping in here anymore."

At this, he had the nerve to look insulted. "Why not?"

"Because I want some privacy."

He was frowning again. "So he is your boyfriend?"

"And," I continued, "I'm tired of you giving me grief all the time."

"Boy, you're in a mood."

Yes. I was.

It had been two full days since my argument with Joel, and I still hadn't heard from him. Yesterday, I'd even gone to his campsite. It was utterly empty. No tent. No nothing.

Had he left town?

It sure looked that way. And I couldn’t even call him, because right there, on my own kitchen counter was Joel's cell phone. He'd left it there when we'd driven out to the storage unit. Would he ever come back for it? I swallowed. Would he ever come back for me?

The odds weren't looking great.

The situation was so depressing that I wanted to crawl back into bed with an oversized stuffed animal and a pint of ice cream.

But I didn't have either of those things. I had Derek, who was literally the last person on Earth I wanted to see. And this included my pilfering relatives.

I mean, at my least my uncle might make me laugh.

As for Derek, he just made me want to hit something – like his face.

Oblivious to his danger, Derek gave a low chuckle. "What? Did he run out for donuts and forget to come back?"

At the mere thought, something squeezed at my heart. Oh sure, Joel had run out, alright. Unfortunately, no donuts had been involved. Was it over? It sure looked that way.

"Cheer up," Derek said. "Maybe the guy got lost." He lowered his voice as if sharing a secret. "Just between you and me, he didn't seem too bright."

I stared at him. What a condescending prick.

At something in my face, Derek took a small step backward. "Oh, c'mon, chill. I was just kidding."

"No, you weren't." I crossed my arms. "That's what everyone says when they're caught being an asshole."

Now, he was staring. "What'd you say?"

"You heard me."

"Yeah. I did." He frowned. "And that's a new word for you."

It was true. I hardly ever used language like that. And even when I did, I was usually alone. But what had all of that politeness gotten me? Nothing.

I gave a weary sigh. "Is there a reason you stopped by?"

"Yes. As a matter of fact, there is. I wanted to remind you of next month's meeting."

He didn't need to remind me. He meant, of course, the final meeting to select recipients of this year's art endowment.

This meant that in three weeks or so, I'd be spending the whole day meeting with the finalists in the boardroom while a parade of strangers traipsed through the house and ogled my parents' things.

In my current mood, I wanted no part of it.

Unfortunately, skipping wasn't really an option – since the meeting was taking place literally where I lived.

"I don't need a reminder," I told him. "And even if I did, why would you remind me now? That's weeks away."

"I'll get to that later," he said. "But you are planning to be there, right?"

"Of course."

He gave my clothes a quick glance. "And you're gonna be presentable?"

Oh, for God's sake. "No," I snapped. "I'm wearing this." I made a show of looking confused. "Don't tell me that's a problem?"

"Very funny."

Was it? I didn't think so, but then again, my funny bone had taken a serious beating since Joel's abrupt departure.

I told Derek, "Next time, just call, okay? Or text. I don't need a personal visit for these little reminders."

"It's not little," he said. "It's important that you be there, because I can't."

"What? You're skipping it?"

If only that were an option for me.

"Yeah," he said. "My dad's got me doing some research on the other side of the state, so you'll be pulling double duty."

I wasn't the least bit concerned. When it came to the actual decision-making process, I had nearly nothing to do with it. Mostly, my role consisted of being introduced as my dad's daughter and saying something nice to whoever came in.

Even in my current state-of-mind, I could pull that off with my eyes closed. In fact, I was kind of wishing my eyes were closed now.

I gave Derek an annoyed look. "Alright, fine. You told me. Is there anything else?"

His gaze narrowed. "Hey, if you want me to go, I'll go."

I waited.

He didn't go.

Instead, he said, "Next time I stop by, maybe you'll be in a better mood."

I thought of all the grief he'd given me over the last few weeks. "Or maybe," I said, "I'll slam the door in your face and remind you that you're supposed to call first."

And with that, I stepped back and did the unthinkable. I did slam the door in his face, and afterward, ignored the knocking and doorbell-ringing that followed.

Immature? Maybe. But somehow, I couldn't bring myself to care. When he finally went away, I stomped up the stairs and took a long, hot shower in hopes of washing away my irritation.

It did no good. I spent the whole shower thinking about Joel and our stupid argument. It wasn't only that I missed him like crazy. It was the grim realization that I'd revealed more than I should've.

It had been a risk, and not only to my heart. People would pay big money for the sad story that I'd so recklessly shared. I could practically see the headlines now.

Heiress Facing Financial Ruin.

Trouble with Blaire Estate

Stud Lover Tells All

I gave a small shake of my head. My imagination was running too wild for my own good. Even in my darkest thoughts, I didn't truly believe that Joel would be that cruel.

Or maybe I was just being naïve. After all, I'd trusted Derek, and look what a jackass he'd become.

I was just drying off when the doorbell rang again. Standing naked in my bathroom, I tensed.

Could it be Joel? The odds weren't totally terrible. After all, Derek had already stopped by, so that ruled him out. Plus, Joel had left his phone. If nothing else, he'd come back for that, right?

I dove for the clean clothes that I'd already laid out and scrambled to put them on. I flew down the stairs with no shoes and wet hair, only to find myself disappointed.

It was Derek again, delivering what? A freaking box of donuts. He told me it was a peace offering. I told him it was a stupid joke that I didn't appreciate.

I appreciated it even less when Derek made fun of me for my wet hair and disheveled clothing.

Some peace offering.

I refused the donuts and once again, slammed the door in his face.

It was getting to be a bad habit, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. Just like earlier, I ignored his knocking, along with the doorbell, and tried to go about my business. After fifteen minutes or so, he went away at last.

Or so I thought. A few minutes later, just as I was finishing making my bed, the doorbell rang again.

Disgusted with the whole thing, I stomped down the stairs, determined to give Derek another piece of my mind.

But this time, when I yanked the door open, it wasn't Derek.

It was Joel.