“You won’t regret it,” she promised as her heart skipped a beat at his answer, equal parts thrilled for her interview and for herself personally.
Because she wanted to spend more time with him too.
* * *
Derek waited for his partners at the gym for their Thursday night boxing, sparring and workout. He’d arrived first and ran on the treadmill for fifteen minutes before he saw Kade make his way in.
“Sorry I’m late,” the other man said as he joined Derek, putting his duffel on the wooden bench by the treadmill.
“I’m here,” Lucas muttered a few minutes later, jogging in, out of breath.
“Held up at work?” Derek asked neither man in particular. He stepped off the machine and wiped his face down with a towel.
“No, Lexie baked some chocolate chip cookies, which are my favorite,” Kade said.
“And what? She let you lick the pan?”
A smirk lifted Kade’s lips. “Nah, she let me kiss the cook.”
Lucas snickered.
“What was your excuse?” Derek asked his friend, who still laughed at Kade.
“Nothing I’m willing to discuss in public. Or with you two.”
Derek was lucky all three of them were here at all. While they used to see each other more often, since Kade and Lexie had married and Lucas and Maxie had become engaged, guy time had declined.
Derek got it. Well, he accepted it. He didn’t get it, as in, he’d never fallen for a woman to the extent he wanted to spend most of his time with her. His thoughts immediately went to Cassie, who he couldn’t wait to see on Sunday, before he shook his head hard.
No. Getting a woman out of his system wasn’t the same thing as a lifetime commitment.
“Are we ready for some sparring?” Lucas asked.
“Yep.”
An hour later, they’d worked up a good sweat and showered in the newly renovated locker rooms.
“Since I’ve got you two in one place, I wanted to tell you guys something.” Derek figured it was as good a time as any to fill them in on what was going on in his life. As Cassie would be around the office now, they deserved to know.
“I agreed to do an in-depth interview.” They both knew his reluctance to delve into his past, and he braced himself for the inevitable questions.
Kade paused in tying his sneakers. “What happened to over my dead body?” he asked.
“Oh, I know. I saw the gorgeous brunette walking into your office the other day,” Lucas said in a knowing tone of voice. “You caved for a piece of ass.” He took a towel and snapped it at him.
“It’s not like that,” Derek shot back. “It’s a legitimate opportunity to get the story out my way,” he said, uncomfortable because he knew damn well his friend was right. He’d caved for Cassie … who was a hell of a lot more than a piece of ass.
“So she was the interviewer?” Lucas pushed, with Kade looking on.
“Just who is this woman?” he asked.
Both men knew Derek’s history. They’d been frat brothers, drinking buddies, and knew the whole ugly story of how the rich bitch had treated him. They also knew her name, as well as the fact that Derek had made a play for Storms Consolidated.
He drew a deep breath. “Cassie Storms. From Take a Byte,” he said, and waited for the backlash.
“You let her sucker you again?” Kade asked.
“Don’t be an asshole,” Derek muttered. “I’m not the same kid I was. And frankly she’s not who I thought she was either.”
Kade finished his shoes and rose to his full height. “We’re just looking out for you. You hate doing interviews and now you’re agreeing, and with someone who may not have your best interest at heart.”
“I know what I’m doing. And I expect you two to be friendly when she’s in the office.”
“I reserve the right to judge her for myself,” Kade insisted.
Lucas glanced at Derek. “You heard the man. Besides, you’d do the same thing for us.”
“Did you ever think I can handle myself? I’m getting something out of this too. Information about Storms. The more I know, the better chance I have of talking them into a sale. Through back-door methods, of course.”
Kade picked up his bag. “I hope you know what the hell you’re doing.”
“I do.”
“Doesn’t hurt that she’s a hot piece of ass,” Lucas added again. For good measure.
“Don’t fucking talk about her that way,” Derek warned his friend.
“Yep.” Lucas turned to Kade and grinned. “In over his head and we get a front-row seat.”
Derek ignore them in part because they were being assholes. And in part because he knew they were right.
* * *
Sunday arrived with snow in the air. It was forecasted to come down later today, but Cassie was still determined to meet Derek to look at apartments. Amanda had offered to join her and offer her opinion on each place, but Cassie had declined.
As much as she needed to find a place to live, the desire to see Derek again was equally strong, and she wanted time alone with him. She dressed in a cashmere sweater, a pair of tight jeans, and boots and threw on her puffy down jacket. Ready to go, she grabbed her bag and keys, when a knock sounded at her door.
“Coming!” she called, planning to get rid of whichever family member it might be as soon as possible. She had a train to catch.
She opened the door to find Spencer standing on the front porch, wearing a camel coat and a too eager look in his eyes. His dark hair had a dusting of snow, which didn’t bode well for her day.