Against the clock

45.

Just as our lips were about to meet in a tender embrace, a voice shattered the intimate moment. Startled, I pulled back slightly, my heart pounding with a mixture of frustration and disappointment. George's interruption was unexpected, his concern evident in the furrow of his brow and the sincerity in his eyes.

'Are you okay?' he asked, his voice filled with genuine worry. I blinked, momentarily thrown off by the sudden shift in focus. Taking a deep breath, I forced a smile, attempting to mask the lingering desire that pulsed through my veins. 'Uhm... yes,' I responded, my voice coming out a bit shaky. Feeling the need for some space, I took a step back from Derek, creating a physical distance between us.

'The bus is waiting for you guys,' George announced, his voice breaking through the tension like a beacon of normalcy. I nodded, grateful for the distraction and the opportunity to regain my composure. 'Right, let's not keep them waiting,' I replied, forcing a note of cheerfulness into my tone. Turning to Derek, I offered him a reassuring smile.

'Ah, here they are!' Alex exclaimed, his tone laced with playful sarcasm as we entered the bus. 'Took you long enough. You're like horny teenagers who can't contain themselves.' The chuckles of the other groomsmen followed, but beneath the laughter, a wave of embarrassment washed over us, staining our cheeks with crimson hues.

I opened my mouth to explain, but my words seemed to stumble over each other, only making the situation more awkward. 'I... we... it's not...' I stammered, feeling my cheeks burn hotter with each passing second. Just as I struggled to find the right words, the bus driver's voice boomed over the commotion. 'We've got to leave! Please sit down!'

Derek stepped forward, leading the way to an empty spot for me to sit. However, it quickly became apparent that it was the only available seat. 'It's fine, I'll stand,' Derek said, gesturing for me to take the seat. But before he could even finish his sentence, the bus driver's voice boomed over the commotion. 'Sir, please sit down.'

Derek glanced around, realizing there was indeed no other seat available. 'Sorry, there's no other seat,' he explained, trying to reason with the driver while I sat down. The driver's expression remained stern. 'I'm sorry, but I can't drive if there's someone standing. Safety regulations.'

Derek's brow furrowed in frustration as he glanced around the crowded bus, unsure of what to do next. Suddenly, an idea seemed to strike him, and he turned to me with a determined look in his eyes. 'Meredith, stand up,' he said quietly but firmly, his voice cutting through the commotion. Confusion flashed across my face as I processed his request. 'Oh- uhm.' Derek didn't waste time explaining. 'Just trust me,' he whispered, giving me a reassuring smile.

I stood up and Derek settled into the empty seat. Without hesitation, he turned to me with a determined look, his eyes sparking with a newfound idea. 'Meredith, sit on my lap,' he said quietly but firmly, his voice cutting through the commotion of the bus.

Derek's sudden request caught me off guard, my mind swirling with confusion as I tried to make sense of his words. 'Oh,' I stammered, uncertainty evident in my voice as I hesitated to comply. Sensing my hesitation, Derek created some space for me to slide onto his lap. 'It's okay,' he whispered, his voice soft but reassuring as he offered me a comforting smile. With a tentative nod, I obliged, easing myself onto Derek's lap. As I settled into the seat, I couldn't help but feel a rush of warmth and closeness between us, his arms wrapping around me in a protective embrace. I was sitting sideways, so I could still talk to Derek and other people if I wanted to.

Derek's hands settled on my waist, his touch gentle yet firm as he adjusted to our new position. With a reassuring smile, he leaned in close, his voice a soft murmur in my ear. 'Is this okay?' he whispered, his breath warm against my skin. I nodded, feeling a sense of reassurance wash over me as I met his gaze. 'Yeah, it's fine,' I replied, offering him a small smile of gratitude.