Chapter 191: Difficult Parting
In all of his years, Derek had never gotten ready for the work day with another person by his side before. Rather than rushing home and going to shower. They had both decided that it would be more convenient for Emily to shower at the penthouse. She would then be able to rush home. Then just slip into her work attire without having to waste too much time.
That had been the logic that they had come up with when they had been getting ready for bed the night before, and back then it had been a decision taken because it made the most sense. But now, as Derek stood next to Emily.
The two of them brushing their teeth side by side for what would be the last time for a long while. The three days before their sleep cycle began would be hard.
Derek was glad that they had come to that decision. It was hard, harder than he had expected to be parting ways with her. So he was savoring the last bit of open contact.
Their shoulders were actively brushing against one another as they moved, and as Derek went to grab his towel so that he could wipe at his face. He did not even try to move away from her, stealing touches here and there. Emily herself did not try to move away. Actively leaning into the touches that Derek initiated.
They were being as blatant as could be, but none of them were mentioning it. The two of them were saying goodbye quietly. And neither of them had the energy to acknowledge it out loud.
Downstairs, breakfast was not the simple affair of cereal like they had been having all weekend. Instead, the two of them worked together to try and piece together something that almost felt like a goodbye feast.
By the time that they were done, they had in front of them enough food to feed a small family. From buttered toast to bacon, sliced fruit, yogurt, muesli, and freshly squeezed juice.
It was a meal that would have been appetizing on any other day. But that morning Derek could barely bring himself to stomach it.