Beauty and the Brit -Chapter 10 (Patreon)

 SHOUTOUT TO PATRONS ALIA, LAUREN, STACI, CARFLY AND RA!  YOU MADE THIS CHAPTER POSSIBLE

-BRITT XOXO

CHAPTER TEN: DINER DINNER 

Thursday proved to be a windy, somewhat miserable day. But it didn’t dampen Paige’s spirits. She was still on a high from hanging out with Derick the night before at her and Rae’s house.

Her friend could see Paige was absolutely smitten with the man and she didn’t know what to do about it and Rae didn’t either. “It’s not that I don’t believe he’s totally amazing,” Rae began, “but I want to meet the guy.”

“I know you do that’s why you can meet him tonight!”

“I’m giving the guy a chance and like I told you I trust your judgement but I also know you read far too many books to look at this plainly,” Rae teased, “So while you’re all goo-goo eyed, I might see him for the English prig he is!”

“Do you even know what a prig is?” Paige laughed suddenly.

“Well not off the top of my head but I know it’s something!” Rae laughed with her friend. 

“So where’re we going? What’re we doing with him?”

“Uh well he asked us to choose,” Paige told Rae as she filled her glass with orange juice and sat down at the table to finish breakfast. “Ideas?”

“Damned if I know. I’m newer to this town than you are. Dinner and a movie? I dunno. How do you meet your friend’s beau-friend?” she teased, “What about laser tagging?”

“As fun and intriguing as that is, I am worried for your sanity if that’s the suggestion!” Paige chortled as she put down her toast for a moment.

“Hey we see how he handles a gun and how well he handles being hunted by people with guns. I see it as a win-win,” Rae shrugged then laughed softly.

“Exactly! See!”

In the end the two decided going out for fries and shakes then going for a walk would be a suitable plan. One which Derick agreed to when Paige texted him the idea.

All day at work Paige found herself giddy in anticipation of their evening plans. It was funny, but for some reason she couldn’t seem to feel absolutely nervous about Rae meeting Derick finally face-to-face. In her mind, she should harbour some reservations about it. Rae could be perceived as loud, over-the-top and brash by some people but that’s just how she was and she meant no harm. Derick seemed sensible and refined in his upbringing and so Paige should have worried he’d find Rae a bit upsetting and blunt. But for whatever reason, Paige found herself excited instead of nervous.

She practically skipped to the old-fashioned diner after work ended at four-thirty and arrived to see Rae already seated at a booth. “He’s not here yet don’t worry!”

“I wasn’t worried,” Paige dismissed as she slipped into a seat across from her friend. Then she realized it might be better to switch sides so that Derick could have his own and they didn’t have to watch to see which person he’d choose to sit beside. Now she wished for a round table instead but it wasn’t to be. She explained it to Rae who quietly agreed and let Paige sit beside her instead.

They ordered glasses of water for all three while they waited for Derick. He arrived early and was surprised to see them.

“I thought I might be first one here!” he admitted with surprise, quietly noting the condensation on the glasses indicating they’d not just arrived themselves.

“Sorry we both ended up coming over early!” Paige explained as she stood up and Derick smiled. “Derick, this is Rae. Rae meet Derick DeBurgh.”

The two shook hands as Rae had slid out of the booth as well and stepped forward. “I’ve heard much about you and it’s truly a pleasure,” Derick spoke.

“Damn! Paige told me you had an accent and I seem to remember you from the party but your voice is much better not coming out of a microphone.”

“Rae…” Paige nudged her.

“Seriously though it’s good to meet you too Derick. Glad tonight could work out for all of us.”

He smiled as he gestured for them all to sit, waiting until the ladies were settled before sitting down himself. “Thanks for the water!” he expressed. His plan had been to be early to do the same and give himself a few moments of preparation mentally for this evening. Oh well… So far so good…

“Have you two ordered already?” he asked as he lay his hand on the menu in front of him.

“Oh no not yet!” Paige shook her head, “We would wait for you of course.”

“I’d be fine if you did order! I know the feeling of being hungry and having to wait and being tortured by watching everyone else receiving an order!” he chuckled, “But thank you for waiting! Anything you recommend here before I look at my menu?”

The girls exchanged a quick glance. If Derick was okay to eat a full meal here and not just have a simple order of fries (which would be easier and less messy to eat hence their decision and suggestion to do so initially), then maybe they’d all order entrees too.

“Things here are pretty standard but tasty,” Rae put forward, “Myself I like a good hamburger with the tangy barbeque sauce and grilled onions instead of freshly sliced. And cheese too…”

Paige nodded, “Mostly we love it here for the milkshakes but like she said the food is good just your typical burgers or soups and toasted sandwiches. More of a burger joint though.”

“Definitely an old-fashioned diner feel,” he agreed warmly as he looked around at the 50’s inspired decor and the checkered patterns on the floor. “I love it!”

Paige smiled secretly to herself that he was pleased with their choice.

“So then what shakes are preferred?”

“I’m crazy so don’t go by me! I get the marshmallow shake and drizzle with chocolate sauce or caramel.”

Derick looked at Rae in amusement but he didn’t seem bothered. “And Paige?”

She shrugged. “I mostly like the berry flavour ones like raspberry or blueberry. And the orange is great as well.”

“You guys are a tough sell. Any of them could be good at this rate!” he chuckled. “Well let’s see here… I’ll be adventurous for my first go. Ehm… pineapple or… is that brandy one actually brandy!?”

“Actually we don’t know.”

“We do know! It’s not it has to be a syrup flavour!” Paige argued.

“Might not be!” Rae teased back, “Actually that reminds me to try marshmallow and brandy so I’ll do that!”

Derick laughed with mirth. “I applaud you that’s actually quite a combination! I might do the cherry cheesecake actually!”

“Warning you in advance though that the shakes are pretty hefty and rich so if you’re expecting something thin and quick to sip up you’re in for a surprise! They’re thick and chunky with ice cream and actual fruit and ingredients blended,” Rae spoke up.

“Oh brilliant! I appreciate the knowledge thanks very much Rae!”

“You’re very welcome.”

Paige was very pleased they were all getting along so well and it wasn’t long before they had made their orders and were sat back in their seats sipping away at the milkshakes as they awaited their food orders.

“You’re right this is not to be underestimated!” Derick remarked as he pointed repeatedly at his shake and set it down, “But it’s so delightful!”

“Want to try mine?” Rae offered, sliding the large, cold glass across the surface of the table, “Since you were so curious about the brandy… Just stick your straw in.”

“Oh thanks Rae!” Derick sipped and sat back grinning with a sound of approval then slid his own over.

It was here as all three of them slid their glasses around the table that Paige knew all three of them were definitely friends now and that the awkwardness that any of them had previously felt was going to remain at the back of their minds from now on.

Dinner flew by like a breeze. By the end of it, all three were thinking it felt like they’d been hanging out all their lives together and that felt good. It felt great.

“Why don’t we walk home?” Rae suggested, “We’ll have more time and it’ll help counter that amazing milkshake!” she winked. The other two laughed with her.

“Heaven knows I could use the walk,” Derick exclaimed, “I sat in meetings practically all day. And I like the idea of chatting more,” he grinned.

“So Derick,” Rae began as the group walked down the sidewalk with the Brit sandwiched in between the two friends, “if you weren’t so into the charity work with your family or if that hadn’t been an option, what do you think you’d be doing right now?”

“Oh! Wow that’s a...an excellent question! Um gosh…” Derick had to think about it. “It’s sad but like...I always felt drawn to work for DeBurgh Endowments and… I never really pursued another plan in my head. Uh… You’ve stumped me Rae! I’ll need a few minutes!” he laughed.

“We’ve got time!” she mused as she gestured ahead of them; the walk would not be over anytime soon.

Paige and Rae both watched Derick try and figure something out in his head. Rae was surprised and amused; she hadn’t expected it to take such a toll on the guy to come up with an answer to the question. But then, that just meant that Derick was where he always wanted to be. Rae knew the feeling; she didn’t know what she’d do without being able to create art and share it and her passion for it with others.

“Is it daft to say cricket player?” Derick posed after the silence had gone on at least a minute or more.

“No!” Paige offered immediately.

“When you say cricket I assume you mean like the..what’s it the sport not the like act of playing a cricket in a show or something!?” Rae teased which made the three of them laugh.

“Probably better at the sport yeah,” Derick chortled. “Though even then I’m not sure I’m that great at cricket come to think of it. I just think it might be fun to do something like that since I’ve never hated the game. Don’t much like football or golf though,” he reasoned, thinking on other popular British professional sports. Both Rae and Paige knew he meant soccer when he had referenced football. “Also I like riding horses but not enough to go into polo or anything,” he went on.

“Sounds like a good choice then,” Rae smiled.

“Yeah I dunno! I feel like I should have a better answer though. I’ll get back to you if I figure it out,” he grinned at both of them.

The three walked on in silence for a few moments contentedly. Rae caught Paige’s eye and smiled then mouthed ‘oh my God!’ and gave her a subtle thumbs up. Paige could feel herself blushing and hoped that Derick wouldn’t notice.

A gust of wind suddenly hit them and they pulled their coats tightly around them. While most of the day had been fairly miserable it had not been too bad in the evening, at least until now…

“Whoa that has a bit of a bite!” Derick exclaimed as another wall of wind hit them and went straight through his coat.

“Damn you’re right!” Rae agreed.

“Do you smell rain?” Derick asked them as he examined the skies.

“Kinda,” Paige lamented, worried. She too put her eyes to the skies and nervously looked for signs of dark clouds. It was cloudy, but they didn’t appear too dark.

All the same, Derick spoke up, “I’ll call us a cab. Would hate for us to get stuck in rain and it’s getting very windy now,” he murmured.

“Oh that’s alright are you sure?” Rae exclaimed.

“Absolutely.” Derick was smiling and already dialling.

“You could...just have them take us back to the restaurant or we could walk there. I left my car parked across the street.”

“Oh! You brought your car!?” Derick looked at her surprised.

“Yeah. Well, I was… I didn’t offer before `coz I thought it was a nice night to walk after all and… Now I feel like a prick!”

He laughed nervously. “Oh please don’t! So were you just going to walk back afterwards?”

“Tomorrow morning. Or take the bus,” Rae shrugged. “But now I see my silent plan was really dumb and you guys have every right to judge me!”

“No judgement! I support your call at the time!”

“Yeah but OH FU-FACK,” Rae tried to stop herself cussing, “Once we got back to our place you would have had to cab home. That was dumb, shit!” She was blushing a bit now at the oversight.

“Rae, mate, you’re fine! I normally get around by cab or hired car so don’t worry about it! I really don’t mind a’t-all!” he spoke, pronouncing the last two words with a different syllable pattern in his accent. “But to make you feel better we’ll go back to your vehicle then…”

She threw up her hands. “It was a suggestion!” Paige could see she was a little embarrassed.

“And a good one!” Derick countered. “We’ll go back to your vehicle and then I’ll let you head on home and I’ll get back to my hotel,” he declared.

“Or, we go back to my vehicle now and I’ll drive you to your hotel and we’ll go home after,” Rae reevaluated.

“That wouldn’t be gentlemanly of me! I should…”

“You’ve been a gentleman for as long as we’ve both known you!” Paige jumped in. “Let us accommodate for you for once,” she smiled.

Derick held up his hands and shrugged. “That’s very kind thank you.”

“And hey if Paige mentioned something about my driving and that’s why you’re trying to avoid getting in a vehicle with me then just come clean now!” Rae laughed, “I give you permission without judgement!”

“She said no such thing!” he chortled in return. “But now should I be worried? Curious?”

“She’s completely joking!” Paige mused lightly, though a bit urgent to convey it.

“I am,” Rae confessed, hands up.

“Well then I’ve no reason not to take your offer of a ride home. Shall I get the cab to bring us to your vehicle?”

“I think we could walk back there if we’re quick,” Paige reasoned. “Just gotta put up with the gusts of wind for a bit longer.

“I’m fine with that if you both are,” Derick spoke and the three in agreement hurried back towards the diner and Rae’s car.

Derick wasn’t sure what he should be expecting but when they walked up to her vehicle, he saw it was a humble but still stylish car. It was a red 2006 Honda Accord that Rae had bought used a couple years ago. The backseats were able to be folded down so that if she needed to she could put her art in her car without too much of a fuss. Her goal was to get an SUV for better access to doing this but she hadn’t put herself out there to look for one yet. All of this of course unbeknownst to Derick who liked the car on first look and smiled. “Nice car!” he praised.

“Thanks! It’s old but it works,” she mused.

“Hey as long as it works for you who’s to judge?” Derick grinned warmly as she unlocked the doors quickly and they all got in from out of the cold.

“Oh shoot I feel bad I’ll move. You should have the front,” Paige offered.

“No, no!” he dismissed quickly. “I’m good back here!”

“Well I feel bad you’re back there on your own. I’ll move to the back.”

“What about me?” Rae laughed then reassured Paige she was fine to go. “I’ll pretend to be a chauffeur. And you can switch when we drop him off,” she reasoned.

Derick told them both it was fine though he was secretly pleased when Paige came to sit at the back too despite the light protest he put up. It was just nice to be near her even if he couldn’t admit it out loud to himself or anyone...

Derick gave Rae the address of the hotel that he was staying at and to be certain of herself she put it into the GPS and they all set off.

“So I guess I didn't ask how are you finding the town?” Rae questioned, “I know being fairly new here myself it’s definitely got its quirks and I’m really happy and excited to be living here but for someone like you who comes all the way from London it must be such a stark change.”

“Actually no it’s not— I mean yes it is but at the same time when I come over here it’s always a new experience. And generally I don’t stay as long as I have this time round... But certainly by no means am I put off of the town —in fact I’m more in love with it than before,” he admitted and Paige smiling turned to look at him and caught his eye and the two smiled at each other.

Rae too was smiling as she drove the route, unaware of the two’s eye contact in the backseat together. “Well that’s great then! So you’re not completely culture shocked with all of the different changes?”

“Can’t say I am, no. It’s really a nice divergence from the hustle and bustle that I have in England with the work that I do.”

“And how is it adjusting to jet lag? I’ve heard it’s a bitch!” Rae carried on and he chuckled softly.

“Definitely does kick you but I try to schedule myself so that I ease into it rather than just taking it all at once and feeling it hard the next day or two,” he admitted.

The mention of jet lag surprised Paige. She hadn’t really thought about it in regards to Derick’s travelling and in all honesty he hadn’t ever seemed tired or fatigued so that further put the thought of it from her mind.

Whatever Derick had meant by ‘easing into it’ he had done it well. He seemed to be in full spirits at the party on Saturday and every day since then. She figured he would probably have a harder time when he went back to England —that is unless he started a different schedule now in the next couple of days.

Derick looked out the car windows at the sun that was getting lower in the sky and smiled gently at the sight of the quaint town rolling by him. To call it a town seemed to diminish what it was for some reason. In all honesty it just felt like a small city, that of course could not compare to the bustle of London. But all the same this place never once seemed like a small town with the stereotypical features of everyone knowing everyone and the lack of stores and resources. It seemed quite the opposite with its many stores of various kinds and amenities and sure there were some places that seemed quaint and immune to the “big city feel” but overall the place was comfortable and just the right mixture of busy and calm.

They passed a small grouping of apartments and Derick's thoughts wandered. “So earlier you mentioned some bloke; some ex-roommate or something,” Derick brought up bashfully, “Someone who lived in Paige’s old building?”

“Oh yeah,” Rae nodded, “Yeah the guy’s a real prick —excuse my language— but anyway I’m grateful she got out of that situation,” she mentioned glancing over at her friend

Paige seemed a little shy about the whole thing but when Derick asked for more clarification she didn't shy away from telling him a little more of the story,

“Basically he lived in my same apartment building and he’s just totally full of himself and seems for some weird reason to have taken a liking to me and heaven knows why because I don’t think we have anything in common —and when I say that I really mean we don’t have anything in common!” she chuckled nervously.

“Anyway, he just always made me uncomfortable in his thick-headedness and towering over me with his height and not really ever paying attention to a word I've ever said to him. He just sort of has it in his mind that he likes me and that all women like him and it couldn’t be further from the truth unfortunately. But luckily I’m moved out now and I will definitely see less of him. Unfortunately though he does know where I work and came by a couple of times but to my advantage he finds bookstores uncomfortable and has stayed away for the most part.”

“Gosh that sounds very frustrating,” Derick offered with sympathy, “I’m glad too then that you are out of that situation and I hope that whatever happens that he moves onto some other girl who is more suited to him so that he will leave you alone. Or, that he finally comes to his bloody senses and just leaves you alone in general! He shouldn’t need another woman to then leave you alone!” he laughed anxiously and she smiled and nodded, grateful for Derick’s concern and sympathy and care towards her.

“He, uh, he tried to get me to go out with him the other night but I told him I had plans and uh… well he didn’t back off but I sort of stated my peace and scurried off before he could respond,” she admitted.

“Oh really?” Derick was interested and concerned.

“I haven’t seen or heard from him since so it’s good but… I just wonder what will make him see reason…”

“Maybe the front end of my car will make him see reason,” Rae scowled and Paige gasped and laughed anxiously whilst Derick tried to stop laughing himself at that statement.

“Rae, I mean this with all due respect: I like you but I’m worried for you,” Derick stated once the laughter died down.

“I think that’s everybody I have ever known,” she mused, “Thank you.”

The GPS announced that they would shortly pull up to Derick’s hotel and Paige felt sad. In fact, they all did.

“Almost there,” Rae announced unnecessarily.

“Yeah. Gosh thank you both so much for such a brilliant evening,” Derick expressed, “I haven’t laughed like this for ages. It’s good to be amongst people who share a good sense of humour and great taste in food!”

“Well you’ve found them!” Rae boasted and the three smiled.

“Perhaps if we’re able,” Derick began as Rae pulled off and parked the car in front of the hotel, “we could get together at least once more before I leave Sunday!”

“That’d be great!” Rae expressed happily, “Are you busy tomorrow night?”

“Eh no not that I’m aware,” Derick grinned.

“We were going to have our neighbours over for dinner and maybe you should come!”

“Oh I’d be delighted! But are you sure? I don’t want to intrude,” he responded.

“Save the manners you’re fine Derick!” Rae assured warmly, “We will be starting around six thirty if you can make it. And if you’re late we get to play a party game at your expense!”

Derick laughed at this. “That’s entirely fair. Well I accept your invitation. What can I bring to the dinner?”

“Just your fine self and an appetite honey!” Rae drawled, “Nate our neighbour is bringing ribs and we’re providing the rest. Do you like coleslaw?”

Paige gazed at Rae in surprise. She hadn’t known about this dinner that was planned! She kept silent, not wanting to make things awkward by asking.

“Eh yeah I do actually,” Derick confirmed happily. “Well thank you then. Six thirty?”

“Yeah. Let me know if you need a ride over I can swing by to pick you up,” Rae told him, “I’ll be at the University tomorrow.”

“That’s very kind! I’ll consider it. May I put your number into my phone? You won’t get charged for texting me or calling; I’ve got a special thing on my plan and my phone…”

“Oh sure!” Rae and Derick quickly exchanged numbers and Paige sat with a smile wondering when Rae had planned this dinner with Nate and his wife and whose idea it had been. She didn’t mind not being told until now but she also felt nervous about it; liking to know plans ahead of time.

“Well there we go. Thank you both again and I guess I’ll see you both tomorrow evening!” Derick exclaimed happily as he and Paige got out of the back of the vehicle.

“Gosh thanks for coming!” Paige expressed as they stood in front of one another.

“Thank you for having me!” he expressed. “I’ll see you later Paige!” Derick moved in and hugged her and she felt her breathing hitch. They hadn’t hugged before, had they? Her brain was suddenly frozen; thoughts incoherent as she hugged him back almost on autopilot. ‘Sweet tea and scones he smells amazing!’ her thoughts screamed at her suddenly and a second later, he ended the embrace leaving her standing there dumbfounded and probably grinning like the Cheshire cat.

“Gee get back in the car it’s chilly!” he remarked a second later as a shiver went up his spine and he pulled open the passenger’s side door at the front.

“Oh! Yeah, thanks!” she responded, coming out of her daze. She hadn’t felt the cold, at all.

Derick saw her safely in and shut the door then hurried to Rae’s side. The driver rolled down her window to speak to him.

“Thanks again for everything Rae I’m really looking forward to seeing you all again tomorrow night!”

“I’m glad! We’ll see you tomorrow!”

“Tomorrow then,” he agreed with a grin, reaching to gently pat her arm that she’d placed on the door over the window hatch, “Take care until then!”

“See ya!”

With that, Derick hurried off into his hotel with a quick wave at them before going in.

“Hot. Fucking. Damn,” Rae muttered slowly as she turned to Paige, grinning, “You are one lucky sonuva! He’s like so perfect for you!”

Paige felt her cheeks grow hot. “You think so?” she whispered.

“I know so,” Rae shot back, “And when am I ever wrong—? Wait, don’t answer that!” she laughed as they pulled away from the hotel and drove home.