Chapter 142: Truths Shared
A chance, Derek still had a chance. Emily was willing to listen. All he had to do now was explain to her.
To make her see that she had misunderstood his intentions, that when he had asked to sleep with her, he had meant it in the platonic sense, that he was not making a move on her. That was it. That was as simple as things got.
But for some reason, despite having the game plan fully outlined in his mind. The rest of his body did not seem to be getting what needed to be done. His fingers remained curled around his teacup, holding it a bit too tight. He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.
His mouth, when he opened it to try and talk, did not produce a single sound. With words failing him for the first time in his life, Derek sat there gaping, looking at Emily who was staring back at him expectantly.
Do something, say something. You have to apologize or she’s going to leave. You will never see her again, you heard her. But despite his brain’s best efforts to get him moving, to get him talking, Derek could not seem to make it past the invisible wall that had caged him.
And as the seconds ticked by and all that he could do was stare, he watched Emily’s look turn from expectant, to disappointed and then angry. Putting her tea down, she looked back at him and shook her head sadly. "Well then, I guess that answers it. The great Derek Haven does not think that he owes the likes of me an explanation for behaving like a dirty pig," With that she put her palms flat on the table, and pushed up.
Derek’s heart rate went through the roof. She was leaving. He had blown his chance. He was going to lose her for good. Say something! His brain screeched. But with his mouth still refusing to cooperate, Derek found himself at a loss.
But the severity of the situation seemed to reach at least one part of his body. Derek regained control of his arms, and letting go of the teacup he grabbed for Emily. His hand gently holding the tips of her fingers.
She turned back, giving him a wide-eyed look. "Emily, please, I..." He managed to say, his voice sounding like he had never heard it before. It sounded so weak and defeated, like he was a dying man struggling to get his last wishes out.