Ignoring the warning in her gut, Rachel began to invite Derek to her apartment for lunch, dinner, and sometimes breakfast. She did that under the guise that having him around made Zoe happy, whereas, in truth, she was the one who wanted him around her every time.During these cozy moments, they began to tell each other more about their background and growing-up experiences. Derek even opened up to her about his parents’ toxic marriage and how his mother had died tragically in a plane crash with her Russian lover. Rachel also confided in him about how her father had abandoned them when she was twelve years old and ran off with a woman he met at rehab where he was admitted for his drinking problem. She told him how heartbroken she’d been ten years later when they got the news that her dad had been killed in a robbery shoot-out at a liquor store in Dallas. Her mother had forbidden her and Rob from attending the funeral, so they never got a chance to see their dad one last time.As days b

“What the hell was that, Cassie?” Derek asked the supermodel after Rachel left. “What’s the meaning of that stunt you just pulled?”“I don’t know what you are upset about,” said Cassie nonchalantly. “Weren’t you the one that invited me?”“Again, that was last week,” said Derek with forced patience. “Besides, you should have called me before showing up here unannounced. Now see what you’ve caused.”Cassie scoffed in disbelief. “Oh, please. Don’t tell me you’re pissed with me because of that baby elephant that just stormed out of here.”Derek saw red. His face hardened and his hands clenched into fists. “Don’t you ever talk about Rachel in that manner again, do you hear me? Let this be the last time you refer to her as such.”Cassie was shocked by Derek’s reaction. She took one step back, not out of fear, but from bewilderment at his response. “Good gracious, Derek. Calm down. Who is she by the way?”“She’s none of your business,” he said dismissively. “You have to leave now.”“Are you

Derek didn’t know what to expect when he arrived at Rosemary Lane’s picturesque townhouse the following day. When she opened the front door, he didn’t need any introduction to figure out who she was because she looked like the older version of Rachel.“Hello, ma’am, I’m here to see Rachel and Zoe,” he said and cleared his throat self-consciously. He felt like a teenage boy coming to ask for permission to see his girlfriend.Rosemary raised an eyebrow. “And you are?”“Derek Fraser. I’m Zoe’s father.”“Is that so?” Asked Rosemary with an unimpressed expression. “Does Rachel know that you’d be showing up here today?”“No, but it’s important that I see her and talk to her, please,” he appealed.“I don’t understand the deal with you, Mr. Fraser.”“Please, call me Derek.”“Why do you keep chasing my daughter across the country when you have no intention to do right by her?”“That is what I have come here to do, ma’am.”“Who are you talking to, Mom?” Rachel asked from inside the house.“Why

Derek broke the kiss abruptly and said, “I think I should leave now, or else I will not be able to stop myself if I continue to kiss you like that.”“Then don’t stop,” said Rachel. “I’m not complaining.”“Are you sure?” He asked softly, searching her eyes for reassurance.Rachel chuckled. “Yes, Derek. I am sure and don’t forget that we’ve done this before.”“I didn’t feel this way before,” he replied with a charming smile. “The first time we were together, I was only attracted to your body and that unique sense of humor you had. But now, I’m attracted to your body, your essence, your heart, and your presence.”“What are you saying?” She asked, knowing that his words were deeper than they sounded.“I am saying that I want to truly become a part of your life, Rachel. I don’t just want to be your baby daddy, I want to be your man. I want to be your lover, your friend, your companion, your partner…”Rachel could feel her heart beating fast as Derek spoke these sweet words to her. She want

“I think it is safe to say that Rachel has gotten her happily ever after, yeah?” Said Leticia. She was having a conference video call hosted by Rachel and featuring Brittany and Fiona as well. It was Saturday and Derek had taken Zoe to the neighborhood park for a fun day in the sun while she opted to stay back home and film a product review video for her YouTube channel. She’d finished filming and then decided to check in with her friends through video call so that she could fill them in on what has been going on with her and Derek. “I wish it was that simple,” she said in response to Leticia’s comment. “Maybe I’m all in my head and overthinking everything, but I kind of feel as if things are moving too fast between me and Derek. I haven’t even had time to process how quickly our relationship has transformed within the space of one month. It’s a lot to digest.” “Girl, I thought you’d be happy,” said Fiona. “Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted with him?” “Yeah, I guess so,” said Ra