Page 36 of Grasp The Moment

“I understand,” I say, breathily.

Derek grins. “Good, now finish your food… There’s a new movie that I want to watch with you.”

Derek and I are practically social distancing.

What I’d thought was about to be a flirty little night of him and I holding hands in the popcorn bucket and sneaking flirty glances at one another, has turned into us watching a documentary about Formula One driver Ri Ri Waterhouse.

Personally, I love Ri Ri—can’t stand her new teammate, but this isn’t what I expected.

Derek sits on the opposite end of the couch, watching the movie with an intensity and ferocity that I’ve only seen come out when he’s on the ice.

Sighing, I take a bite out of my second strawberry cupcake of the night. Stress eating has never solved anything, especially for someone like me who gets bad hormonal acne when I’m stressed. But desperate times call for desperate damn measures.

“So are those your favorites? The strawberry cupcakes?” Derek asks, scaring the absolute shit out of me, resulting in me dropping my cupcake and Agnes licking it right up.

“Damn it…” I curse under my breath, picking up the happy puppy and placing her on the couch next to me.

She’d been my interim cuddle buddy all night, and this is how she repays me? By eating my cupcakes?

“Bad Aggy… You can’t eat real people food.” I lightly scold the happy dog as she pouts, nuzzling her snout in my lap.

Chuckling lightly, I pat her.

“You’re such a good baby, Aggy,” I coo, picking her up so she can rest her head on my shoulder, holding her like a baby.

“I can’t believe this is my life.” Derek laughs, startling me as I catch sight of his phone recording my interaction with the dog.

Flipping him off, I throw up my middle finger, chuckling, only for his laughter to die immediately.

“Shit…” he curses, running a hand through his hair.

I’m immediately on high alert as I watch the man. Derek stands from his spot on the couch, throwing off the cover and groaning as he stretches.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, standing as Agnes perks up in my arms.

Derek seems to weigh his options momentarily before deciding to spill and tell me what’s going on.

“My mom can’t pick up Deli from her dance lessontonight.” He sighs, gathering our snacks, taking them to the kitchen as I follow behind, putting Agnes down before reaching the kitchen.

“Damn, is everything okay? I can stay here. I don’t want to intrude on daddy-daughter time. Deli probably misses you!” I say as Derek waves me off, making a “psh” noise.

“If anything, the little monster will be more excited to see you than me.” He chuckles, getting a tumbler from the kitchen cabinet and filling it with water before putting a lid on it and sliding it to me.

My stomach warms as I eye the water before taking it and drinking some.

“Really? For some reason, I doubt that…” I chuckle lightly, drinking the water only for the cup to be taken from my lips.

“What did I say earlier about jokes like that? You’re amazing, and Delilah enjoys having you around; now go throw on some clothes unless you want to walk in there wearing this,” he says, giving me an appreciative once-over as my heart triples in beat.

Did this man just… check me out? He’s making my pajama shorts and big T-shirt combo feel scandalous, oh my goodness.

Turning on my heels, I’m about to make my escape when Derek lightly taps me on the ass. The action is so subtle and yet completely unlike him.

I pause in my movements, back turned and cheeks reddening, before rushing to our room, the only sound to be heard being Derek’s quiet laugh.

When we get to the dance studio where Delilah’s dance class is held, the first thing to come out of my mouthis, “Damn.”

This place reminds me of that one dance studio from that reality show ten years ago, only the studio is way nicer, the kids are less worked, and the instructors are nice people.