Take Two

Chapter 10

-xx-

Whitney pushed herself up off of the mattress and glanced quickly around the bedroom. She ran her hands over her clothing and let out a content sigh as she recognized the t-shirt as the same shirt she had worn to dinner the night before. She stretched her legs out and smirked at the pajama pants she was wearing.

Her cell phone sat on the bedside table and was plugged in to her charger. She blinked the sleep from her eyes as she looked around the room she was in.

She stood from the bed and stretched out, trying her best to wake herself up. A quick glance out of the window brought a smile to her face as she realized she was at Derek's house. Whitney unplugged her cell phone and slipped it in the pocket of the pajama pants before leaving the bedroom.

As she started down the stairs, she found herself frozen on the staircase as she listened to the commotion coming from the kitchen. Music could be heard softly as well as Derek's hushed voice.

With a raised eyebrow, Whitney continued down the stairs and turned into the room in question. Derek was juggling his cell phone between his ear and shoulder as he worked at the stovetop. "Yes, mama," he answered into the phone. "I promise I will come home to visit soon."

Whitney leant against the doorway and watched him hard at work. His laughter from the conversation with his mother brought a grin to her face.

"Give my sisters my love. Tell Desi I'll be in touch about her birthday, too," he said before grabbing the phone from its resting place. He pressed end on the call before placing it back down on the counter. "Good morning," he called out as he felt her presence in the doorway.

"Hi," she answered as she stepped into the kitchen. "It smells amazing in here."

He grinned as she stepped up to the stove. "I hope you're hungry," he said with a wink.

"Starving," she responded. "What can I do to help?"

Derek shook his head. "Relax." The word caused the blonde to roll her eyes. "Help yourself to some coffee and breakfast should be ready momentarily."

She could not help but nibble on her lower lip as she poured herself a cup of coffee. She felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of her chest after their talk at the bar last night. Whitney knew she cut the conversation short but she was not ready to lay all of her dirty laundry out on the table just yet.

Derek slid two plates on the kitchen table before retrieving his own coffee from the counter. "Ready," he called over, breaking her out of her own thoughts.

She grinned as she grabbed her steaming cup of coffee and started towards the table. As she took a seat, she eyed the feast that he had made for breakfast and chuckled. "This looks great," she complimented. "Thank you."

His smile matched hers as he took a seat across from her. "I don't get the chance to cook too often," he remarked. "So I seize the opportunity any time that I can."

"I don't know if you can tell, but I love to eat," she replied with a wink. "So whenever you need a guinea pig, let me know."

"You know I'll take you up on that offer," he answered as a smirk crossed his lips.

She shrugged as she took a bite of her bacon. "So, about last night," she began, and hoped he would fill in the rest of the night for her.

"I did not find out about the rest of your tattoo collection," he answered with a wink of his own. She did not realize she was holding her breath. "You don't remember?"

Whitney pursed her lips together. "I remember the last margarita, and realize it probably wasn't my best idea." Her words caused him to laugh. "I just wanted to make sure I wasn't forgetting anything."

The shy glance she offered caused him to tighten his grip on his fork. "I slept on the couch," he answered honestly.

"I'm sorry," Whitney mumbled before taking a sip of her coffee.

"For what?" Derek asked softly. "I offered."

She shrugged. "Thank you," she said quietly as she took another bite of her breakfast. "It was probably the best sleep I've had in a while."

The admission caught him by surprise. "Oh yeah?" he asked with a smirk.

"My apartment isn't exactly sound proofed," she replied. "And my neighbors are up all night long." She wiped at her lips with her napkin. "Any night that I can sleep without a pillow over my head is perfect in my book."

"That bad, huh?" Derek asked as he picked away at his food. She nodded. "Maybe you could stay here more often. It's quiet – I'm barely home."

She narrowed her eyes in his direction. "Thank you," she began, "but I can't do that to you. This is your place. My little apartment is just fine for me."

Derek shrugged his shoulders. "The offer is always there," he answered.

"I appreciate it," she responded. "You're also probably never getting these pants back."

Derek chuckled as he lifted his fork from his plate to his mouth. "I will let my sister know that you like them," he responded sarcastically. "She sent them to me for Christmas."

"She's got good taste," Whitney replied.

A comfortable silence fell over the table as the two enjoyed their breakfast. It wasn't often that Whitney was able to relax on a Saturday morning, but after their conversation the night before, she felt at ease being in Derek's home.

Derek was thrilled to spend the morning with someone, and equally as happy to be able to make breakfast for the two of them as well. They seemed to be going in the right direction, as far as he was concerned. He had his reservations now thanks to the revelation over dinner but knew that things would work out if they were supposed to.

-xx-

"Piper, slow down," Whitney said as she stretched out on the back porch of Derek's house. "What are you talking about?"

"We're finally doing it, Whit!" the redhead exclaimed on the other end of the phone. "Ryan is home in three weeks! We're booking Vegas for the following weekend!"

The blonde could not control the grin crossing her lips. "Vegas? Finally?"

She held the phone away as her best friend squealed on the other end. "Yes, finally," she answered. Whitney knew without being there that Piper was rolling her eyes at her. "And I need you there!"

Whitney offered Derek a quick smile as he stepped out on the porch. "I will do my best, Pipe. Remind me on Monday to request that weekend off."

"You will be there," Piper demanded from the other end of the line. "I need my maid of honor there."

"Maid of honor," Whitney repeated. "Really, Pipe?"

Derek could not help his grin as he stretched out on the yard chaise. "Obviously," Piper retorted. "I wouldn't even know Ryan if it wasn't for you." Whitney nodded although she knew the redhead could not see her. "Request it off from work, and I'm booking your airfare. Don't argue," she warned.

"Monday morning," Whitney promised. "I will put the request in. And I'll pay you back for the airfare."

She cringed at the scoff on the other end. "Nonsense," she replied. "Oh, gotta go – my mother is on the other line. Love you Whit," she said before disconnecting the call.

"Everything okay?" Derek asked from his relaxed position.

Whitney beamed as she turned towards him. "My best friend is getting married," she replied softly. "In Vegas," she continued as she let the news wash over her. "And she wants me to be her maid of honor."

"That's great," Derek responded.

"It is," she said between pursed lips.

If only she could get the distance between Los Angeles and Las Vegas out of the back of her head.

-xx-