What You Do To Me (Unexpected Love) by Izzy Cullen Page B

have seen them. I just don’t want to see you hurt again. Remember, I was there the last time.”
                  “Well, Sam did look pretty smoking hot in her tight little outfit; it was hard to not look at her.”
                  “ Seriously, stop deflecting. I saw you and Alex, the looks. ” Now he wa s raising his eyebrows at me.
                  “Nothing wa s happening or will happen for that matter. ” I pause d and suck ed in a breath. “ Derek, I’m never going to see Alex again. He left this morning and he’ll get back into his rock star lifestyle and forget he ever met me. See, there’s nothing to worry about.”
                  “Well, that’s where you are wrong, Abbs. Once Abby Porte r enters your life, there is no forgetti ng her, at least nobody with intelligence .” Derek reached over and grabbed my hand. “ Hey, if it doesn’t work out, I’m pretty good at picking up the pieces.”
                  I could see the hurt in his eyes. “ Derek, ” I manage d to get out, but I stop ped before I said anything else .
                  “Abbs, you don’t have to say anything, we’re friends. Christ, best friends, and I wou ld do anything for you and your girls. You need to live your life and be happy. I sat back too many years watching the life drain out of you and if I was a better friend, I would have said something sooner.” Derek squeezed my hand.
                  I let go of Derek’s hand to wipe the tears from my face. “It wouldn’t have mattered if you said anything or not. I was married and I was married for life. At th e time, I thought I was happy. It wasn’t until recently that, I realized the only happy part about David and I was the girls.”
                  “Just remember, whatever happens I am always here.”
                  “I know that and I know I wouldn’t be here right now if it weren’t for you dragging me out of bed. My mother would have swooped in and the four of us would be locked up in my parent’s house.”
                  “Ugh, just the thought of that makes me realize you owe me lunch. ” Then just like that, Derek was able to change the mood at lunch to something lighter.
                  The lunch flew by quickly . We talk ed about the girls and my plans for the summer. I start ed making plans for my weeklong trip back to Pittsburgh with the girls to vi sit David’s parents. Derek talked about his job and how much he hated it, but the money wa s so good in corporate law , he couldn’t even think about leaving that field. I laugh ed as he told me about his last fe w dates, and just like that, we we re Derek and Abby again, two friends who has missed each other’s company. After we left the restaurant, we stop ped at Astoria bakery to get the girls some cakes and cookies.
                  Walking back to the hotel, with my head on his shoulder, I wrap ped my arm around Derek’s arm again . Being with Derek wa s so easy, comfortable and a place I always felt safe . If I had a brother, this was how I would wish our bond would be. Derek was someone in my life who would always remain a constant.
                  Getting back to the hotel, I ga ve the valet both of our c laim tickets while Derek gathered our bags.  Waiting for the cars, Derek returned and I put my hand in his. I always hate saying good-bye . I wished we lived in the same town so I could see more of him.  When the cars pulled up, Derek f aced me and grabbed my other hand. “So, when you come to Pittsburgh this summer, I have a surprise for you. I can’t w ait, I’m so excited.”
                  “Ugh, why did you tell me? You know I hate surprises; t his is going to bug me all summer long. This is one of the many rea sons I hate you.” I sh ot him a pouty face.
                  “ I know you love me, so stop