Page 28 of Grasp The Moment

“Ugh… I can’t believe I’ll have to live in the same building as you,” says the ugliest reptile alive.

Turning from my spot at the sink, I point the dirty knife that Derek used earlier at Jace.

“Keep talking, asshole, and I won’t hesitate to cut you,” I threaten, narrowing my eyes as he rolls his and pouts, facing Sienna.

“Angel, are you going to let this she-devil speak to me like this? Beat her up.” He huffs as Sienna rolls her eyes, ruffling his hair.

“Make sure you get him good, G. He’s ticklish, so get the side of his stomach too.” Sienna chuckles, swatting Jace away as he wraps an arm around her waist.

He scoffs, “And to think, you were just so sweet to me earlier.”

Ignoring the two of them, I turn back to the sink and begin to clean the dishes when I feel a warmth at my back. Chills run down my spine when Derek leans to rest his head on my shoulder.

“What are you doing, darlin’?” he whispers, his voice deep as he tilts his head to eye me.

“Washing the dishes, what does it look like?” I sass, bumping him off with my hip.

“Why? I was going to clean them.” He furrows his brows.

Turning to face him, I frown. “You cooked the meal, so that means I clean it up. It’s only fair to clean up after you spent your time cooking for us.”

Something in Derek’s gaze softens as he nods. “Okay, fine, then I’ll dry them.”

And so he does. We work like a well-oiledmachine, washing and drying dishes together like an Olympic team, and soon enough, the entire kitchen is spotless.

Our friends sit around the living room, the girls all helping to fold my clothes while Blake and Jace color-code my shoes just how I like them.

The feeling of a hand lacing with my own steals my attention. Derek gives me a small smile before pressing a finger to his lips, signaling for me to be quiet.

Nodding slowly, I allow him to whisk me away to the room off the kitchen and living room area.

My jaw drops as I take in the huge room. The bedroom reminds me of a billionaire bachelor pad from movies. His walls are painted black and gray, and there is a wall with the same brick as is in the living room. The furniture is sleek and also black, with a giant bed in the center of the room and small silver accent pieces along the shelves and walls. The room smells like him, rich and full of warmth.

I take in a deep breath. “Quite the bachelor pad you’ve got here.”

He smirks, raising a brow at me before chuckling.

“This is your side of the drawer. You have this entire column, but if you need more drawer space, let me know, and I’ll get it fixed.”

His words take me aback as he continues on. What does he mean bymyside of the drawer? Are we sharing the dresser? A crease forms in my brows as I look over the massive dresser and the man in front of me as he talks.

Did Derek clean out his dresser to make space forme?

“... And this is the bathroom, pretty standard with a duo sink, there's a space in the middle where you can set up your vanity. I didn’t know if I should install a new mirror so that you could see yourself better right there, so I left it up to you.”His words drone back in as I mindlessly follow him around the bathroom.

Wait… My vanity? Are we sharing a bedroom?

He smiles softly. “This is the closet… I moved my clothes to the office. You have more need for a walk-in than I do, and you can use the space to design as well.”

When I enter the closet, my jaw falls off its hinges as I take in the enormous space. Derek’s apartment is huge as is, but this closet is the size of my oldbedroom.

There are small pieces already hung up and a pair of shoes on the five-tiered built-in shelf. When my eyes catch on the small desk in the corner, a fresh sketchbook already open and ready for me, tears spring in my eyes.

“Oh my goodness…” I whisper, my hands to my mouth as Derek continues speaking, unaware of my current state.

“I know that this is hard, having to move in with a dad and daughter duo isn’t easy, especially while being young and in school… I want you to be as comfortable as—what’s wrong?” His voice softens as he turns to face me.

I can’t get my words out, but I don’t need to.