Beauty and the Brit -Chapter 9 (Patreon)

CHAPTER NINE: PICTURE PERFECT

Waiting for Derick’s question was like waiting for the thin branch you were standing on overtop The Grand Canyon to break under your weight. Paige couldn’t stand the anxiousness it left her with. ‘What does he want to ask?’ It was not as though she had any idea. As an overthinker, this was the worst scenario. His question could be anything from ‘do you have this book in stock at your store’ to ‘how was your dentist appointment truly? We want to make changes in that department’ to ‘why’re you always blushing?’ to ‘would you like to go out on a date with me?’ or even heaven forbid ‘do you have a crush on me or something? Are you madly in love with me?’

In all honesty, Paige would much prefer if it was going to be an innocent question so that she worried for nothing. And, if it was in fact something to do with romance she would so much prefer if he just asked her out over asking if she was in love with him or had a crush! It was easier to say a simple ‘yes’ to spending some time on a date than it was to say ‘yes I like you’. For some reason having to actually directly admit to that felt worse than agreeing to a nerve-wracking first date! 

Besides, if he was asking if she had a crush, well, it could be that he wished to let her down easy. Maybe he had a girlfriend already… Fiancée even. He didn’t wear a ring so she doubted he was married. If it was any of that he hadn’t mentioned it but she wasn’t upset by it. He barely knew Paige; it wasn’t any of her business for him to bring up the woman he loved in front of her.

But gosh she shouldn’t be thinking this way at all! Derick probably just wanted to ask a simple question about ‘The Gala’ or her store or the town. She had to calm down.

Little did she know, he was sitting in agony himself in his morning meeting. He had tried to pay attention to everything that was thrown at him but his chest felt hollow and light and he needed something to anchor himself again. He started to wish he’d never sent off his text telling her he needed to ask her a question.

At long last, he had a few minutes of break to himself to check his phone and he took a breath and looked at her response. ‘Yeah I slept good! Thanks! And sure what is it? :)’ 

He had a moment of indecisive panic trying to figure out whether he should ask it now or wait until he had time to sit and await a response at a time that she hopefully would be able to respond also in the first place, like around lunch. In the end though he knew to just ask his question and carry on.

Paige had done something that she normally didn’t do; she had brought her personal cell phone with her out on the floor at work. She kept it hidden from customers (and her co-worker for the day) by placing it in a spot just under the counter out of sight of anyone except her but nonetheless it was something that she secretly felt ashamed of doing. She believed in being professional and keeping phone time for break times. But, this had been an exception to that rule. She needed to know the second Derick’s question came in so that she could stop fretting internally about it.

She felt her breathing hitch when she saw her phone screen light up and she had to take a second to herself to breathe before making sure no one would see and looking at the text message. It read:

‘Glad you got a good sleep! Wanted to know if you and Ray? Rae? Rey? sorry about spelling! Are you 2 busy tonight? Don’t feel obligated to say no. Honestly just wanted to see if it’s possible to meet her & maybe hang out the 3 of us for an hour or so? :)’

She hadn’t seen Derick type out ‘no pressure’ twice and backspace it twice.

It was a relief to finally know his question but with actual thought put into the answer, she felt nervous again. He wanted to hang out with her and Rae! She couldn’t believe it! He’d seen Paige every day since Saturday night. It was now Wednesday. The guy was super friendly, kind and honestly Paige had no reason to say no other than the thought of seeing him again made her heart race with excitement and nerves.

She typed slowly, trying to figure out what to say. ‘that sounds great! what time are you thinking?’

Upon seeing the response, Derick felt his legs feel numb and jelly-like and he tried to wipe the grin of happiness and relief from his expression. ‘dunno some time after U R off I guess. Still 5?’

‘yeah!’

Paige paused and then in a rush of excitement decided to be bold: ‘what’re you doing for supper maybe we could all just share a meal?’

His response was quick: ‘I was literally just thinking to suggest the same thing but wasn’t sure how to word it! I think that sounds really good! Jerry’s or Charo or do you have another better suggestion? I only know the 2 really lol’ he typed.

Paige smiled as she saw the response but suddenly realized where she was and what she should be doing so she chose to reply at her lunch break. And in thinking about it then as she walked to grab a sandwich from ‘Jerry’s’ without work to distract her, she realized that this plan wasn’t going to actually work. ‘Derick I’m really sorry but I just remembered Rae has something at the college tonite. Can we try tomorrow instead? So, so sorry!’ A large part of her hoped that he wasn’t busy so that they could still meet up the 3 of them.

‘Mind if I call?’

She didn’t and nervously picked up the line after saying so.

“Hi sorry I thought it might be faster to just chat in a call,” he expressed. “So Rae can’t do tonight then? That’s alright what’s she got at the college? I don’t suppose it’s something we could all tag along to, considering if it’s not invite only and not something that you’d be bored at,” he chuckled.

“Actually it might be really interesting but it’s only opened to the art students. Rae is Artist-In-Residence there and she’s giving a speech tonight for some of the students who signed up.”

“Oh brilliant! That’s amazing— congratulations to her!”

“I’ll tell her you said so!” Paige was touched by his sentiment.

“Thanks! Well alright so she has a speech. Ehm… Well do you and I still want to make plans I mean only if you want to and you’re not busy! I mean yeah if she’s available tomorrow we three can do that dinner or whatever you both wish. I-I just don’t have anything tonight so if you’d want to we could still meet up for coffee or tea or I don’t know a walk down the streets of town or… Gosh now I’m rambling sorry! Please, don’t feel obligated to say yes,” Derick exclaimed, embarrassed, “Let me know in a bit by text once you’ve had a few minutes to think about it. I know you don’t like to rush into things, er, or so you said,” he spoke gently.

Paige was momentarily speechless at this. ‘He remembered!’ 

“I’ve overwhelmed you; I’m sorry!” he exhaled, feeling absolutely daft as he might put it upon hearing her silence.

“No gosh sorry I just… You remembered what I said uh… But no I’d love to do something still tonight sure! I feel bad for having to cancel— no, sorry postpone the plans!”

“No it’s really fine,” he retorted lightly, “I don’t mind that we do it tomorrow! Or, if it’s not in the cards and we don’t then I’m fine with that also! Please, don’t feel any need to make it up to me or anything!”

Paige adored the way his last word lingered in her head. An-a-thing he’d pronounced it. “No, I’m not. I do feel bad but I’m not saying yes because of that. No, it’s been fun chatting. I don’t mind doing a bit more,” she assured him, “I mean if you don’t have plans for supper then why don’t we still do that?”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah sure!”

“I just didn’t want to… I don’t want you to feel obligated to keep the plans for a restaurant we don’t have to actually go out and eat something we could just… hang out or whatever after dinner.”

“Why don’t you come by my place? That way we can do both?” she offered boldly, hearing her heart in her ears pounding loudly.

“Oh! Brilliant! Are you sure? I feel bad to have you prepare supper with such last minute notice!”

“I don’t mind,” she blushed at his kindness and chivalry, “But if it… well not bothers you but if you’d prefer it we can just get take out or order pizza,” she spoke, “Uh if you want. I don’t know how you feel about fast food or uh delivery and stuff like that… Or if you do that, where you’re from um...” She felt embarrassed suddenly at her own ignorance.

“Paige that sounds brilliant!” he responded, “I’ve not had takeout or delivery pizza in ages! Where’s the best place to order from— I could get a pick up on my way to you or we could wait until I come grab you— Oh but that’s sorry that’s me presuming! I can pick you up from work and then we can sort out the pizza situation before we get to your place.”

Paige felt her excitement rising. “Yeah sure that’d be great!”

Derick was smiling into the phone. “Brilliant. Well then I’ll give you a call just after five to arrange it yeah?”

“Sounds great,” she agreed easily.

“Perfect. Well then, enjoy your afternoon Paige,” he wished her warmly.

“You too Derick!”

Both hung up their phones grinning widely and feeling their hearts beating quickly.

It wasn’t a date, oh no, but it was certainly the start of something, they felt. After all, they’d literally seen each other every single day since Saturday and now making plans together concretely to get takeout and spend more than just a quick walk together seemed to take their acquaintance to a little more familiarity. Sharing time and food, especially now that it would be at her own house, made things more...settled. Not that their lunch together was to be discounted but that seemed, to Paige, to be something else entirely. Their lunch had been impromptu and they’d each ordered their own food in a public cafe. Now they’d be sharing pizza and drinks in her kitchen or living room. It was different. It was more intimate. There was a level of trust there.

She glanced over and saw the table she and Derick had shared only days ago. If only the girl who had sat there with him that afternoon had known where she’d be by Wednesday afternoon!

Feeling absolutely giddy, Paige considered texting Rae. Her friend ought to know about this new and exciting development! Only, once she’d finally composed something and hit send, Paige noticed the time!

‘Oh ffff-fudge!’ she cussed internally. She was almost late to get back from her break and with the walk back to the shop she’d be even later. Hurriedly, she exited the shop where she’d already grabbed a sandwich to go and got out onto the street. She could always eat the sandwich and do paperwork from the inventory she reasoned.

Unfortunately, with thoughts of work distracting her, she didn’t notice something significant. There was a person crossing the street diagonally just ahead. Not just any person.

“No, no, no, no!” Paige stuttered under her breath as none other than the singularly most unappealing person in the entire town met her eye coming straight for her.

“Paige! Just the girl I want to see!” Hugh declared boisterously; arms wide.

“Hugh I’m really sorry but I have to—”

“Nonsense I’ll walk you there,” he interrupted forcefully. “You’re a busy girl, I’m a busy guy but we can take our moments together. Now—” he went on just as she set to interrupt him, “we need to talk about us.”

“Us?!” she repeated in alarm.

“I know; sounds great to say it out loud right but we still need to talk about it at least a little,” he declared, “It’s just like we’ve known each other so long and neither of us have talked about it or anything but it’s like why don’t we just stop playing around and go out already? May as well I mean it’s almost really stupid not to just be dating already...”

Paige could die.

“And besides a girl like you shouldn’t be single anyway it just sends off the wrong impression about all the people around you especially a guy like me I mean c’mon right? It makes me look stupid like what I don’t have the balls to take you out or something? And it’s painfully obvious especially because we’re both single that we shouldn’t be single like that together because that’s just embarrassing,” Hugh laughed awkwardly.

“Anyway but don’t tell me you haven’t pictured it,” he went on before Paige could recover enough to speak, “Coz it’s like almost hot to picture.”

“Hugh—”

“Sweetheart I’ll pick you up tonight say eight? Naw let’s make it seven we can do six o’clock and do dinner with wine the whole shebang before— Well not to get ahead of ourselves to the shebang shebang!” he laughed at his own innuendo.

Paige thought she might be sick. “Look, Hugh, this isn’t going to—“

“Shhh Paige. I know I shouldn’t have said that last part it’s moving too quick I get it although it’s inevitable  but Paige you don’t have to be afraid of giving into passion. And listen I get it too that you don’t want your friends jealous or people around town upset that we’re off the market but that’s just the way things go. When things work they work out you know? And not just at the gym...”

“Look Hugh please just let me finish. I can’t go out with you tonight—“

“Look if you’re closing the store I’ll just pick you up at work then and—“

It was her turn to interrupt now. “No, Hugh, I’m not working. I have other plans already.”

“Alrighty I won’t interrupt girls’ night then I get that’s sacred and all that. So then I’ll grab you up tomorrow.”

“No Hugh I already have plans tonight; with another man.”

The silence following this statement could have been met with a knife. Once Hugh recovered himself he finally spoke: “Surely you can cancel your plans? I mean c’mon you’ve got me; your plan worked to make me jealous and come running for you. Thank goodness you didn’t have to go out on that date in order to do it!”

Was this guy so thick-skulled or was he just that full of himself to think that she or anyone would ever make that effort to snag him?

“No, Hugh, that’s not what this was— or is. I’ve got plans and that’s it. I’m sorry but I’m not cancelling on him. I’m flattered you’d want to-to hang out and everything but it’s just not a good time.” Now or ever she added on in her mind. “Thanks but I’ve got to go.”

She hurried forward and popped into the first door to her right ahead: a doctor’s office. She doubted he’d follow her in here. And she was right.

From behind their slatted blinds, she watched Hugh stand dumb-struck for a few moments then chuckle to himself and walk away not looking rejected in the least.

Once she was sure he was gone not to see her emerge, she did just that and headed on her way trying to put Hugh from her mind in favour of Derick who she’d see very soon and who she was very excited to spend time with again.

Surprisingly, the afternoon went by quite quickly and before she knew it, Paige was off of work! She had a text from Derick around quarter to five telling her to let him know when he should give her a call so she texted him back.

The phone call didn’t last long and neither did the wait for Derick to pick her up. Paige felt her nerves rise up as a car pulled up outside of the bookshop where she stood and she saw Derick’s smiling face from the backseat. “Hey! Come on in! I’ll scoot over!”

Taking a huge hopefully unnoticeable breath, she got in smiling and buckled up. “How was work?” he asked genially as the driver pulled away. Derick had already given the addresses for where to pick up the pizza and where to drop he and Paige off.

“Great. Inventory again today mostly but something was a lot better and my afternoon seemed to go by fast so that was probably why it felt better,” she responded.

“I’m so very glad! Perhaps too it was the promise of pizza,” he teased which made her laugh.

“You’re probably right! I can hardly wait; I feel starved!”

“You know it’s funny but they gave a pretty hefty lunch option for me today and yet I could definitely go for a slice like right this second!” he chuckled.

“Pizza has that power,” she giggled and he laughed with her.

Once they had their food order in hand (again Derick insisted on paying since it had been his idea to hang out tonight anyway), they were driven to Paige and Rae’s and got out, walking up to the door. 

Redford Manor seemed to Derick to be inviting tonight as he looked up at it and he was grateful for it helped to assuage his nerves at actually spending time with Paige in her own house just the two of them. He was well aware that this wasn’t to be taken lightly even if the two of them were outwardly pretending it was no big deal. They’d only known each other a total of four days and less than an hour at most on Saturday night. And yet, she felt comfortable enough to have him come to hang out with her in the privacy of her own home. It was a big deal.

“Come on in,” she encouraged as they stepped through the front doors into the foyer.

He looked around for just a moment to see that the foyer wasn’t terribly large or grand but was a comfortable size to lead into other rooms through arches in the walls down the corridor that led on straight to the back of the house. To the right was a closet and Paige put her shoes inside it so Derick took her lead and placed his there also. He noted to himself that the closet was able to be walked into and that he could tell the difference between Paige’s things and Rae’s. It made him smile to himself. Past the closet he then noticed a staircase that led upwards and turned to the right to continue on after the landing. It was large enough for two people to be on the stairs at a time, but only just. To the left of the foyer was a bit of wall before it opened up into an arch where the front ‘living room’ of the house was. Derick would discover the space was not large (at least not as much so as other rooms in the house mainly the back sitting room) but this room served its purpose and led into the dining room behind it.

“I don’t know where we should take our pizza,” Paige admitted a little bashfully, “We’ve got the living room or there’s a dining room or, well… the back sitting room isn’t complete but it’s livable and um… or outside…”

He chuckled softly to himself. “Paige choose where you’ll be most comfortable don’t worry about me…”

She shrugged.

“Would flipping a coin help?”

She giggled. “Maybe. You know what let’s just use the dining room,” she decided, worrying about what Derick might like anyway. As much as she wanted to curl her legs up on a couch and share pizza and drinks with him she wasn’t sure that was appropriate or that she wasn’t entirely calm enough to be so relaxed with him yet. They could share the dining table which could fit at least six and not have to lean over the smaller, shorter coffee table from the couch. Yeah. Best.

Derick shrugged and gestured for her to lead the way.

The two set themselves and the pizza box up on the dining room table, after Derick complimented her home as she took him through the sitting room instead of down the hallway and into the dining room from its corridor entrance. With drinks poured and food on plates that Paige quickly fetched (she insisted and Derick was gentlemanly enough to withhold his argument -she was hosting after all…), the two settled into their meal with smiles. To no one’s surprise, the food was excellent and hit the spot!

They enjoyed the first few minutes of the meal complimenting it and just enjoying their first moments settled together in her home before Paige decided to ask Derick a question,

“Do you travel alot for work?” 

Derick looked up from his meal and wiped his fingers on a napkin as he finished chewing, “No surprisingly this town is really the only North American cause that DeBurgh Endowments supports! Our patronage etcetera is mostly UK based so I do tend to travel around the UK and some parts of Europe on occasion.”

She grinned and pictured it all. It must be marvelous!

“What about you? What’re the places you’d love to visit?” Derick posed.

“Oh gosh the usual as most people: Paris, Rome, London, Amsterdam… I think I’d also like to see Boston and New York also.”

“All worthy places,” he responded.

She tried not to blush. “Really? ‘Coz I know a lot of them are stereotypical places that people tend to say!”

“Yeah well there’s a reason for them being so widespread to visit I’d say,” he shrugged. She had to concede that was true.

“Yes. The world is wonderful,” she murmured.

“Honestly, travel is great! I really should take time to do more of it,” he remarked after a sip of his drink. “How about you? What’s the furthest you’ve been?”

“Oh uh… is it...totally lame to say here?” she murmured, “I mean there was a short Disney trip when I was quite young but I was quite young and I don’t remember most of it. I do remember it was a nice road trip down and back up but honestly of travel that I’m in remembrance of it’d be here.”

“That’s not lame at all!” he shook his head, “Any experience is experience. Like I say I’d probably not have travelled over here if it wasn’t for the family’s previous connection here and it’s wonderful to see something different; doesn’t matter how close or far you’ve gone to see it I’d say.”

“You always speak so sensibly and wisely,” she mused with a grin and he shrugged.

“I dunno I guess I’m just...open. I was taught from an early age to recognize what I had and knew it was a privilege and so I see things big and small as blessings and… 

“Trust me I’m not perfectly humble,” he blushed when he saw her expression of soft fondness and awe of his words, “I’m still privileged and ignorant in my words and actions sometimes. None of us are perfect; we’ve all got loads to learn on our journey through our lives,” he murmured as he stared at the table for a moment bashfully trying to avoid her look of admiration. Paige’s gaze made him self conscious.

“Well that’s more to be said than some people,” she returned, “They don’t have nearly as much as you and they’re conceited or rude or selfish.”

He smiled a little and shrugged, “All the loss for them I guess,” he mumbled, unsure of how to respond.

The two continued with their pizza and pop for awhile in a quiet, semi-comfortable silence.

Derick finally looked over at her with the intention to speak and when he hesitated, she prompted him. “Well I was going to ask if you know how old your house is and why it was that they gave it to you for such an amazing offer?” he verbalized.

Paige explained as best she could what she knew: that it was built sometime in the late 1890s and was truly Victorian and how it had undergone some renovations in its time so it wasn’t completely original but from what she understood most of the layout had remained intact. The last owner had purchased it as a pet project but let it go into some disarray until there had been problems with building permits and disagreement of vision between the contractors and the owner and their friend who had taken on the project as well. They let the house sit for years abandoned until the cost of property taxes and the business partner backing out caused them to admit defeat and sell the house off. Only, the house was given over to the bank as collateral on some other deal and so selling it wasn’t quite legal. “It was a huge mess. Actually some day I’d love to get the entire story done up by a historian or someone with interest and all that I think it would make a very wonderful and intriguing book,” she admitted.

“I quite agree,” Derick chuckled.

“Anyway it’s called Redford Manor because the owner who built it originally had that last name I think,” she admitted.

“That’s all incredibly fascinating.”

“Yeah. Rae and I were able to get a good deal because the place was so in need of a little TLC and I guess most people looking to buy in town weren’t looking for a fixer-upper so it’s sat on the market for a long, long time and the price kept going down. Developers tried to buy it apparently in hopes of updating the look of the neighbourhood. Due to the historic nature of it, the city didn’t want to grant a permit to bulldoze it down. The conditions of purchase was that it had to remain standing and just repaired. Luckily there was nothing terribly wrong with it, just a lot of dust and replacement of a few small things here and there cosmetically. So we got it cheap and between us our payments are around the same as they would be for a two bedroom apartment perhaps just a little more. But, so far it’s definitely worth it.”

“I’m very pleased to hear that,” Derick beamed. “You’re very fortunate to have such a wonderful place.”

“We definitely know it!” she grinned. “Maybe later I can give you a tour,” she offered slowly.

“Oh! Ehm… Sure yeah,” he agreed with some surprise. That was very kind of her to wish to show him around the place and again with it being just the two of them it felt like a slightly intimate offer in the sense that she was showing off her and Rae’s living space to him in trust.

“So just to warn you like I said before, the place isn’t entirely finished or fixed up so some spaces are...not the best,” she prefaced as they began to take their tour together a quarter of an hour later after tidying up their supper.

“Oh it’s no worries! I remember!” he smiled.

With that, Paige showed Derick around Redford Manor. She took him across the hall from the dining room to the empty space that she and Rae still were unsure of what to do with. It was a rather large space which at the moment had only some of their unopened boxes and some other items within it. The floor was going to need to be redone if this space was to be used since some of the old flooring was broken or peeling. The fireplace too therefore was unused. “Most of the rooms of the house have a fireplace though not all of them are functional,” she explained, “so some are just more for decoration purposes now and covered up.”

“Ah yes I’ve seen that sort of thing before,” he nodded.

Paige quickly mentioned the small restroom that neighboured the stairs and this room before she took him from the ‘storage room’ to the other sitting room at the back of the house that neighboured the room they’d just been in. Paige explained how she and Rae hoped to furnish this sitting room and have some day movie nights and parties in it that could be led out into the backyard when the weather was nice through the double doors leading there. Derick smiled as he pictured it.

They briefly looked at the backyard where Paige gave a few more ideas on what they saw for the space before she took him back in and across the hall from the sitting room to the kitchen and pantry which sat at the back left of the house. From there, they went up the back staircase upstairs to the second floor.

She felt herself blushing as she realized that her bedroom was first on the right so instead she took him to see their small spare bedroom to the left. “It’s lovely. It’ll look great and cozy when furnished,” he smiled as she introduced the space.

“Thanks!”

Paige felt she had no choice but to point out her bedroom as they got out into the corridor again. “I uh wanted the room that Rae has because I was nervous about being so close to the stairwell at first,” she admitted shyly, “but then I got over that when I saw the beautiful view from the window. Rae agreed I should have it since she gets the front view from her art studio,” she explained.

“Brilliant! The view from the other bedroom on the other side was fantastic; I can picture your view,” he grinned, “so then which is Rae’s room?” he questioned and gestured, “is it that next one on the same side?”

“Yeah,” Paige confirmed.

“Fantastic. And so what’s beside this spare room?” he gestured, allowing her to introduce the upstairs bathroom without having to awkwardly try and avoid showing her bedroom or Rae’s to him. She was grateful whether he’d done this distraction question on purpose or not.

Beside the bathroom now leading towards the front of the house was the other spare room that she and Rae hoped to make a cozy library. “Ah the infamous library you spoke of!” he grinned. “It’ll be amazing finished I just know it. A woman who owns a bookstore is guaranteed and trusted to have an absolutely spectacular home library collection!”

She grinned and gave a gentle, humble nod, unable to deny the words he spoke.

Beside that was the staircase at the front of the house leading down and right at the front of the house was a closet with a small window looking to the outside. Across from that on the right-hand side (left if you were looking up at the house) was Rae’s art studio which had a large window facing the front lawn of the house and another two windows facing Nate’s.

“Are you sure she’d be comfortable with us being in here?” Derick asked nervously as he observed the painting easel and a few other things quickly in a sweep of his eyes before putting them on Paige.

“Oh yeah no problem! I doubt you’re going to vandalize any of her works in progress… Are you?” she narrowed her eyes jokingly as she crossed her arms.

“Vandalize and add to are two completely different things,” he spoke looking off innocently, playing along before laughing out loud.

She laughed too at their joking around and it felt good to be so comfortable.

“Well alright I’ll tell her you said so,” she responded after they’d let the laughter fill the studio for a few more moments.

“Well with the studio, that’s it; you’ve basically got the entire tour.”

“Ah but you missed one thing,” Derick spoke, making her heart skip a beat then start hammering a little faster.

“Wh-what’s that?”

“The staircase at the front of the house nearest this room. Is it functional? Or do we travel back down the back staircase?”

“Oh!” she exhaled in relief, “It’s functional! Sorry, you’re right! What a terrible tour guide I am!” she laughed, “Come I’ll show it to you! And please be kind in your review later on,” she added with amusement which she saw made Derick smile and his eyes seem to sparkle.

‘Dammit man stop being so beautiful’ she begged silently.

They went down the staircase one at a time at first until Derick caught up to her and walked the last flight side-by-side with her.

“This has been a most amazing tour!” he agreed, “I’ll leave a five star review and a tip for you and the driver!”

“The driver?”

“Oh sorry! Typically in Europe or around England anyhow it’s encouraged to tip the driver of the coach that took you round on the tour if you’re visiting a place or more than one through that company that took you,” he explained. She acknowledged it and nodded.

“We thank you then,” she played along.

Derick looked at his watch. “Back just in time too!” he grinned, “I’ve got a couple of minutes before I’ve got to go! Do you have a gift shop?”

She laughed, “Afraid not. But, just this one time we will allow you to have the leftovers of the pizza,” Paige offered.

“Oh that’s too generous of you I simply couldn’t!” he dismissed.

“How about some slices of cake? I froze a few from ‘The Gala’,” Paige admitted.

“Oh really! Again, that’s generous but that’s even more generous and I couldn’t! You can keep the cake and the pizza as my personal thanks for tonight and not just the tour,” he murmured, “for everything; for having me over. I’ve had a great night.”

“I’m glad!” Paige responded, “Thanks for the suggestion and for coming. It was really, really nice. I hope that you and Rae can finally meet tomorrow or the next day even. What day do you go back to England anyway?”

“Sunday,” Derick replied.

“Oh nice.”

“Yeah. Anyway I really should get out of your hair; I’ve overstayed my welcome.”

“Oh my God what are you talking about?” Paige laughed, “You haven’t I promise!”

He looked down bashfully, “Well perhaps not but I shouldn’t be cutting it close and besides you’ve probably got things to do before tomorrow. Furthermore, I wish to be a gentleman and leave at a decent hour before the sun goes down. As you know, I’m at threat for turning into a… oh bollocks what did I say Saturday night?”

“Uh… Gosh I don’t think you said anything specific,” she admitted then remembered what she had said to prompt his response that night. Her cheeks reddened now but if Derick noticed he didn’t say anything.

“Well then I’ll go and my secret’s still safe!” he teased, “Thanks ever so much for tonight. And I’m quite serious; you can have the leftovers,” he went on, “Enjoy them for lunch or a second dinner,” he suggested.

“Well...thank you Derick. And thank you for coming tonight,” she repeated. It had been nice to just...exist together with their developing friendship and bond a little more by just chatting and sharing some food together so casually in private with just the two of them.

He grabbed his shoes and put them on as she wrestled with the happy feeling inside of her at a night well spent and regret that it was over now.

“Well just let me know about Rae and any plans you both might like to make,” he spoke as he stood to full height again and looked at her with a kind smile.

“Yeah of course! I think she’ll love that. I’ll text when I know; I hope that won’t wake you up though in case it’s much later tonight.”

“Don’t worry about it Paige. Again, thank you for the night and take care. Cheers!”

“Cheers?”

“Oh! It’s sort of a ‘thank you’ but in… well English. Well, UK terms,” he explained haltingly.

“Oh! Cool! Well cheers back at you then! And have a good night!”

“Thanks Paige I already have,” he spoke kindly before opening her door and heading out of it.

“Wait! Derick are you walking home, er- to your hotel?” she called out as she rushed up to the door and looked out at him on the walk.

“Oh! No I’ll be picked up in a few minutes down the block by cab. I’m going to walk a bit,” he explained.

“Oh! Well, enjoy then! And talk to you later!”

“Cheers Paige. See you.” He raised a hand in farewell and took off down the block with one of his hands half tucked in his pocket and the other swinging softly at his side. 

A picture perfect moment. Paige wished she could frame it. She wished she could frame the entirety of tonight to treasure forever.

She didn’t know that Derick was thinking almost the exact same thing as he carried on.