Fleeting panic coursed through Derian’s
chest, a sensation she could never recall having before. She didn’t want Emily
to go. “When will I see you again?”
Emily’s brows drew down. “I’m sorry?”
“Look,” Derian said, raking a hand through
her hair, never having been so off balance in her life. “This is crazy. Every
time I see you, we’re in the middle of some kind of crisis. You’ve been keeping
me company, hell, keeping me steady, and I want—” Derian broke off. Emily was
staring at her like she was a little crazy, and she was. She didn’t know what
she was trying to say, what she wanted, but she couldn’t shake the feeling if
she let Emily walk away, she’d regret it forever. “I don’t know how well I
would’ve done through all of this without you being here.”
“You would’ve done just fine,” Emily said
gently. “But I’m glad I was here, and you’ve helped me a lot too.” She paused,
felt a tremendous wave of gratitude swell within. “I’ve talked to you about
things I’ve never talked to anyone about. It helps. I didn’t realize how much I
needed that.”
“Have dinner with me,” Derian said.
Emily laughed, surprise and disbelief in her
voice. “What?”
“Tonight. When everything has quieted down,
and we’re not both scared and anxious. To celebrate Henrietta’s successful
surgery.” Derian took Emily’s hand. “To get to know each other. Please.”
The idea was mad—mad and wonderful, and Emily
broke ranks with her habitual caution, refusing to second-guess the excitement
pulsing through her. “All right, under one condition.”
Derian’s eyebrow winged up. “Oh?”
“This time, I’ll make dinner.”
“You mean, actually cook it?”
Delighted at the consternation on Derian’s
face, Emily laughed. “Yes. You have heard of that?”
“Rumors, but I’ve never actually witnessed
it.”
“Then you’re in for a treat. Seven o’clock.”
“I can’t wait.” Derian grinned, and the worry
and fear in her expression gave way to the rakish charm Emily had glimpsed when
they’d been alone in Derian’s apartment—when Derian had been unabashedly naked,
and unabashedly seductive.
Emily swallowed. What was she doing? Why did
she have to ask? Emily gave her the address and her phone number. “But if
you’re too tired, or if something comes up—”
Derian stroked her finger along the edge of
Emily’s jaw, stilling her. “Nothing will come up. I’ll be there. Red wine or
white?”
“Red,” Emily said softly, looking into
Derian’s eyes. For an instant, nothing else in the world mattered, only the
pull of Derian’s gaze. Warning bells rang, and she ignored them. All her life
she’d been careful and cautious and responsible. She regretted none of it, and
she would not regret this moment, when she chose something because her heart
urged her to.