Chapter 38

Being at Derek's house feels a lot like being at home. He has a ‘Welcome Home’ banner on the living room wall. I teasingly roll my eyes and stroll towards the guest room. When I round the corner, I accidentally run into someone and fall. Derek, who had been carrying my bags, turns around the corner at the same time that she says,

"Whoa, I'm sorry."

"Liz?"

“Surprised to see me?”

"Of course, I am. What brings you here?" he replies.

He doesn’t wait for her answer and puts my bags down at the same time that I stand up. He helps me steady myself before he turns back to his visitor with a smile. He gently grabs me around the waist.

"So, you're the one that Derek blabs about all the time?” She looks me up and down, like she’s assessing me. She nods, as in approval. She sticks her hand out for me to grab. “My name's Elizabeth, Liz for short."