Only you | Derek Morgan

Or is it... the pizza guy?

L A Y L A ' S   P O V

My closet is in disarray while I'm in the mists of deciding what to put into my suitcase. Derek's helping me pack. Well, helping is a strong word. He's more observing.

"Why is everything you're packing white?"

"I'm the bride." Obviously? "I'm supposed to wear white."

Derek snickers. "Yeah, because what you just did was so pure and innocent."

Five minutes ago he may have had me bent over the island, but that's beside the point.

Me, Penelope, Averie, JJ and Emily are flying up to Chicago today for the weekend. We have an appointment at a bridal boutique in the city and we're going to meet up with Derek's mom, his sisters and Violet and make a day of it.

Penelope's is adamant that this is a bachelorette trip, but her idea of a bachelorette weekend is very different than mine. If I let her plan this there would be matching outfits and a club, lots of drinks, a stripper, another club and more drinks. I already had to veto the huge blow up doll with Derek's face stuck on it she wanted me to bring on the plane.

My phone pings on my vanity so I go to pick it up. It pings again and again, so much so Derek has to ask. "Who is that?"

"It's the girls group chat," I explain, swiping through the photos. "We're making sure none of us are bringing the same outfits."

"The same outfits?" He gasps dramatically. "What would the police say?"

The look he gets from me has him backing up out of the room, hands up, holding back his laughter while I continue to try to fit everything into my suitcase. It takes me sitting on it, but I eventually get it closed.

"A whole weekend of peace," Derek sighs teasingly, carrying my suitcase down the stairs. "What will I do with myself?"

"Cry yourself to sleep, clutching my photo because you'll miss me so much. Just a suggestion."

Derek laughs as he grabs his keys from the side table. "Actually I'll be able to sleep on more than a sliver of the corner of the bed. Peacefully."

"Ha ha," I mock, grabbing my purse hanging up on the coat rack. I turn to head towards the safe. "I need to grab my passport."

Derek nods towards my purse. "It's already in there."

I open up my bag to find my passport already in there, and all the last minute things I was about to pack. Other than appreciating the cute side of him helping me get ready to go, I'm suspicious. "Are you trying to get rid of me?"

His teasing grin brings a smile to my face. "The whole bed, Layla. I'm going to have the whole bed to myself."

I do say bye to the bunnies freckle and speckle before I leave, and even if they could react, I don't think they would. Their favourite company is each other, they couldn't care less if Derek and I were here. They're so nonchalant about any extra treats or toys we give them and they look like we've ruined their lives when we have to take them out of their pen to clean it. They're just living their happy little lives and I respect it.

JJ and Emily are meeting us at the airport so we pick up Averie and Penelope on the way. Penelope immediately connects to the aux and I was fully right about the two of them bringing the vibes to this car journey.

"Oh, Layla! I almost forgot." Penelope says, reaching in from the back seat to give me something. "This is for you."

The second the satin fabric touches my hands I know what it is immediately. It's a sash with the word bride written across the front.