Page 35 of Grasp The Moment

I’m going to get stress acne at this rate. You don’t want to know the monster that I turn into when I get that…

“Had a green smoothie earlier.”

My words hang in the air like dead weight, and the apartment goes still. Looking up from my work, I’m taken aback by the look on Derek’s face. It’s a mix between annoyance and… amusement?

“Sit and put the sketchbook down,” he says, his voice laced with command as I gape at him.

Who does he think he’s talking to?

“And if I don’t?” I sass back, popping my hip, putting my hand on it.

“I’ll make you, now sit. Your food is already on the table, eat, and then tell me why you’re pacing a hole into our living room floor.” He sighs, gesturing to the plate of steaming hot food on the kitchen island.

Rolling my eyes, I don’t know whether I should get him to make good on his threat or smile.

He called itourliving room. I know you saw that!

Trotting over to the kitchen island, I take a seat behind the plate and look up at him, raising a brow.

“Everyone loves tomato soup and grilled cheese.” He shrugs.

“You want to hear about my problems?” I ask, ignoring his comment as he pauses.

“Of course I do.”

Sighing, I try to relax, but I can’t.

“Are you sure?” I question again, chewing my bottom lip as Derek tilts his head, pursing his lips.

Nodding, I begin, “I’m so fucking stressed, y’know… This day has been insane, from my dad calling me to ask why I’d gotten married—zero concern in sight, might I add. To this damn fashion show.”

Huffing, I pause. Standing from my seat at the kitchen island, I lock eyes with Derek. The warmth and comforting aura that he expels has me wanting to continue—to spill everything. But I can’t. It’s none of his concern anyway?—

“Keep talking, Blondie. I’m listening to you.”

Those words.

Those seven words are all that I need. They’re all that I need to feel safe—all that I need to feel heard. They’re everything to me, but I can’t.

Derek is my friend—husband, but can I trust him with something like this?

I mean… I trusted him with everything else…

“My biggest dream has always been to open a fashion line. What if this is a sign that I’m not ready for it? My own idol didn’t want me…” the words tumble out of my mouth before I can think.

The air in the room is still, a calm before utter chaos as Derek’s deep brown eyes lock with mine from across the island. He sits there, nodding as if he’d come to a conclusion about me before standing. I watch, frozen in place, as he approaches me.

My body tenses, heart racing as his large frame towers over me. What the hell is happening? My mouth goes dry, lipsparting slightly as he licks his own, an intense and steely look crossing his hard features.

In an instant, his hand is cupping my jaw and tilting my face up to lock eyes with him. My body is like jelly in his palms, my knees weakening as our eyes clash. Taking a deep breath, I brace myself for anything—everythinghe could say, think, or do.

“I’ll only say this once, Georgia. Don’teverdoubt yourself—especially not in front of me. You’re my wife, and because of that, you’re a part of me—you’re mine. I don’t play nicely when people are mean to what’s mine, especially if it’s self-deprecating. Understood?” he asks, eyes sweltering as he stares into my soul.

I nod, unable to move or shake this warmness growing all over me as my stomach clenches.

“Use your words, darlin’... Do you understand?” He cocks a brow at me.

The flood gates have opened, and I’m not talking about the ones upstairs…