The Lucky in Love Collection - Lauren Blakely Page 0,147

as I let go, I give in to love at last.

41

Derek

A few weeks later

I raise the bar in another rep, and then one more while Shaw spots me. Once I finish, I wipe my hands and say, “You ready to grab a beer?”

“I’m always ready for a beer.”

We head to the Barking Pug, trading stories about some of the crazy calls we’ve had in the past few weeks. Shaw’s become a good friend in that time.

“You know what’s cool?” I ask as we stop outside the bar.

“What’s that?”

“That you never pulled one of those don’t date my sister routines,” I tell him as I push open the door.

“You never gave me a chance to, but I’m happy to do it now.” He shakes a finger and adopts an old man tone. “Keep your paws off my little sister.”

I laugh as we grab stools at the bar, but his laughter fades quickly as he clears his throat, turning more serious than I’ve ever heard him. “Speaking of, I need to ask your advice about something.”

“Hit me.”

“So listen, it’s about Vanessa.”

“Yeah?” I ask, remembering the chemistry between them at the bowling alley. “What about her?”

The bartender swings by, and we order. When he takes off, Shaw continues. “I don’t know if you’re aware of this . . .”

I’m pretty sure I’m aware of exactly what he’s about to say.

“But I’ve kind of had it bad for her for a long time.”

“I figured that out.”

He looks at me. “Did you?”

“It’s patently obvious. The two of you flirt with each other as if it’s literally all you want to do.”

“That seems a reasonable assessment.” He heaves a sigh. “Trouble is, Perri’s made it pretty clear she doesn’t want anything to happen.”

“She definitely has.”

Shaw drums his fingers on the bar. “Do you think you could talk to her? Maybe try to smooth the path for me?”

I wince. “Ouch. I do value my life, you know that?”

“You’re saying I have my work cut out for me if I’m ever going to go after Vanessa?”

I nod vigorously. “I’m happy to help you any way I can, but Perri is going to be one tough nut to crack.”

Shaw rubs his hands together. “Then here’s what I’m thinking.”

While the bartender brings our beers, I listen as he tells me what he wants to do.

I raise a glass when he’s done. “Good luck with that. I can’t wait to hear how it goes.”

Epilogue

Derek

A little later

Shaw juggles some chocolate chip cookies that Arden made.

“Look at that!” He tosses three in the air, spinning them in circles out here on the deck.

I clap a few times. “You’re a master juggler, but I don’t think anyone wants to eat those.”

“That’s cool. I do.” After he lets the cookies fall into his palms, he stuffs them into his mouth, one after another.

“You’re kind of a pig, Shaw,” Vanessa calls out from the kitchen.

He winks at her, and I make a note to talk to Perri again later about these two. Pretty sure I have a good inkling as to what’s up between them.

Perri’s dad joins us on the deck, clapping me on the back as I help him at the grill on a Sunday afternoon.

“How’s everything going at work, Derek?” he inquires.

Perri’s dad is one sharp fellow. Smart, involved, and thoughtful. Her mom is pretty awesome too. I know because I go to her parents’ house most Sundays for dinner. They’ve welcomed me into the family and treated me like her partner from the first time we met.

Sure, I’m still her roommate, but we share a room now. Her bedroom. Actually, we share the whole house, and all the bills. There is no more lease, no more month-to-month deal, and there are no more separate doors and hallways.

There is only one home, and it belongs to us.

“Work is good, sir. I landed a promotion and a raise, so I have zero complaints.”

“Excellent. And how’s everything with your sister?”

“Her husband is coming home in a few months, and Devon is walking, so Jodie has her hands even more full.”

“But she has more hands to help her too,” Perri chimes in from her spot lounging on a deck chair. “I happen to like the kids.”

“Maybe you can give me a grandkid, then,” her dad says, winking at her.

“Dad!”

He shrugs. “Just saying. Sooner rather than later would be good.” He leans in closer to me, whispering, “Maybe you could make her an honest woman, son.”

I say nothing. I simply head inside and enjoy the meal with my