Author's Note: In case you haven't noticed, I love stories where true loves are separated for years and then find each other again. I hope you're not sick of it yet! LOL Enjoy!
"Do you want me to come with you?" Derek asked softly.
Penelope laughed as he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "No. I'll be fine."
"I'm sorry you have to do this," he said.
She sighed. "It's my fault," she said. She hadn't planned on meeting Derek Morgan this summer. And she certainly hadn't planned on falling in love. Not while her boyfriend was all the way across the country working on his internship.
Derek laughed. "That you're crazy about me?"
She bit her lower lip to hold back a grin. "OK, well that's your fault."
Derek chuckled as he hugged her tight. "I'll see you in a bit," he said.
She nodded. "I'll be back in a few hours," she said.
He smiled at her as she got into her car and drove away. Breaking up with Todd wasn't going to be easy; they'd been together since she was sixteen—for almost six years. But after falling in love with Derek…Penelope no longer had a choice. And she hadn't planned on it.
Derek's family was on vacation and Penelope's family was at their summer camp. It wasn't that far from their house, but it was on the lake and they'd spent summers there for as long as she could remember. Derek's family was there from Chicago, renting a camp that was a little ways down the road. She'd met him when he'd gotten a job as a waiter where her brother, Preston, worked and Preston had brought him home. She hadn't been able to resist him from the moment she'd met him and to her surprise, the attraction had been mutual.
She sighed as she made her way to town to face the music—and break up with Todd.
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Derek checked his watch again. Penelope should have been back hours ago and he was getting worried. He grabbed the keys off the counter and had just opened the door when he saw the headlights. He stood on the porch and watched as she got out of the car and walked towards him. "Hey," he said softly. "I didn't think you were gonna come back." She didn't say anything, as she walked up the steps, he noticed she was shivering. "Penelope?"
"My parents are gone," she said tonelessly.
"Where did they go?" he asked.
"They're dead."
"What?" Derek asked in disbelief. "Penelope," he said feelingly.
"They were hit by a drunk driver."
He swallowed past the lump of fear in his throat. "Are you…OK?" It was a weak question, but he didn't know what else to say.
She shook her head as if to clear it. "I told Todd about us," she said instead of answering his question.
Derek studied her face. It was as if he knew what was coming.
"He forgives me."
"Penelope," Derek rasped. "No." His tone was begging.
"He can take care of me," she whispered.
"I can take care of you," he told her desperately.
She crossed her arms over her chest and started rubbing her upper arms as if to warm herself. "I barely know you," she said in a small voice.
"That's not true," he said softly, putting his finger under her chin and forcing her eyes to meet his. "You know me."
"I've been with him for six years," she said.
"But you've been with me all summer," he reminded her. It wasn't a strong argument, but it was all he had.
"Maybe this was just a fling."
"Don't say that," he said, angry now. "You're just in shock."
"He asked me to marry him."
Derek didn't say anything, just stood there not even realizing he was holding his breath.
"I said yes."
Derek shook his head. "Don't do this, Penelope. Don't do this. Marry me!"
She laughed bitterly. "You don't want to marry me. You just don't want to lose me."
"You're right. I don't wanna lose you. But you're wrong, too. I would love to marry you."
She choked on a sob. "And then what?"
"You can come back to Chicago with me," he said, already planning their future.
She shook her head. "You're finishing school," she said.
"I'll transfer here," he told her without missing a beat.
"I can't ask you to do that."
"You didn't."
"It's not fair, Derek. I don't know how long…" She cleared her throat. "I think it's gonna be a long time before I'm OK again."
"I'm not asking for a time frame, baby girl. I just want to take care of you in the meantime."
She looked up at his face and saw the genuineness there. But she couldn't ask him to leave his family—wouldn't ask him to. Not after just losing hers. So she stepped closer to him and rested her cheek against his chest; it was easy while she was on the step below him. He lifted his arms and wrapped them around her shoulders, kissing her on the top of the head. She took a deep breath, inhaling his scent. She wanted to always remember the way he smelled. So masculine and 'Derek.'
XXXXX
When she stepped away from him, he knew it was over. His arms had never felt so empty. Derek had to force himself take another step back so he wouldn't make her stay.
"I'll never forget this summer," she said softly.
"Neither will I," he agreed, his voice husky.
"I'm sorry," she said.
He winced. He couldn't let her walk away feeling guilty. "Don't be sorry," he scolded her. "Don't you dare be sorry."
Her eyes welled up with tears.
"Because I won't be." He took a deep breath. "Penelope, I'm gonna be fine," he lied smoothly.
She nodded uncertainly.
"If you need anything…I'm here for another week. Anything, Penelope."
She nodded. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Good bye, Derek."
Derek didn't say anything—he couldn't bring himself to actually say goodbye to her. He could only watch as she turned and walked away.
He'd waited all week for her to come back.
But she hadn't.
