Maddie POV
After the picnic, Derek gave us a ride back home. The afternoon had ended in a light and relaxed way, but my heart still carried a weight. At the same time, being around Derek brought me a strange sense of comfort. When we parked in front of my house, Averie was ready to get out, but something in me hesitated.
“Do you want to come in?” I asked Derek, trying to sound casual even though my heart was beating faster than normal. “My mother won’t be here for a while. We can… watch something.”
He smiled, that warm smile that always made me forget the rest of the world. “Of course, I would love to.”
We walked in together, and Averie, being herself, went straight to the kitchen, saying she needed to take care of a few things before going upstairs. I was relieved that she took the hi
