Money Can't Buy Everything

Chapter 21 Ride Along

---Derek's POV---

I went straight home feeling so good about everything that went down last night, even though it didn't end exactly how I wanted, I still 'took care' of myself thinking of her and our invigorating moment together.. But I'm even more excited about the fact that I have a lady now.. An amazing lady, not just any lady.. One can only hope she feels just as good about this new step for us as I do. But only in time will we find that out.

So this morning I'm up with a pep in my step, getting ready for work with the biggest smile on my face. Nothing could take this smile off my features, no matter how hard Josh is trying. "Man, you didn't even get s*x, how can you be this happy right now? It's freaking me out." He asks in a mocking tone. "I don't care if it's 'freaks you out' seeing me happy. I don't have to have s*x to be taken care of for one thing, and for another, I'm able to take care of myself.. I'm not dependent upon that and I know it will happen for us eventually.. I'm just excited I have her as mine." I say to him as he smirks my way before stating, "That's if she sticks around." He says with suspicion in his tone and that is understandable.. I'm trusting her with no real basis behind it, just taking a leap of faith, so I can see why he would be worried, but I'm still doing this whether he likes it or not.

"She promised me she is not going anywhere.. and I want to believe her." I stated to him as he groans out, rolling his eyes at me. "You're just love sick and not seeing the red flags, no matter how many are being waved in your face." He says in disbelief. "It doesn't hurt to take a leap of faith.. yes this might not work out with us, but if I don't try I will never know because what if it does work for us.. and I can't live with myself without trying, the regret would haunt me.. but that the same for you and Sarah, you never know until you try." I explain to him as he nods at me. "I get it, I do and I do like Missy, she seems nice and fun.. I just don't want you to get hurt, that's all man." He explained right back to me in response. Our attention is taken from each other by my phone ringing. I see it's Missy's number, so I quickly picked up. "Good morning beautiful."

"Hey Derek.. How is your morning going so far? Did you sleep alright?" She asks me as I smile and walk around the kitchen, to get away from prying ears, known better as Josh. "I was a little bothered in a good way, from last night, but I'll tell you I had very sweet dreams about you.. So it's been a good morning so far." I say to her, hearing giggling on the other end, before I ask, "what are you doing?" I ask her casually before hearing her response. "I was thinking maybe we could go to breakfast if you're not too busy." She asks sweetly as I smile even bigger, if that was even possible.

"Yea of course.. um I'm getting ready to leave now, so Josh can drop me off at the mechanics to pick up my jeep that is now fixed, and then I'll have a little time before my shift, so I would love that.. I don't know if you remember where my place is at but you're more than welcome to come on by.. unless you need me to send you the address again?" I asked her as I heard a knocking on the front door. I quickly walked to the door waiting for a response from Missy as I opened my door, seeing she is standing there with a big smile on her face, making mine face-splitting.

I'm still holding the phone to my ear as josh pushes it down for me. "I don't think she needs the phone to talk to you.. but since she is here, I don't think she needs directions either, am I right?" He asks playfully, making my face get hot, putting the phone back into my pocket. While hearing Missy respond, "Well I wasn't trying to intrude on your morning guys.. I just wanted to spend time with Derek, joining him with whatever, if that is ok?" Josh waved her off before saying, "I'm sure Derek loves that idea, so don't worry.. Here's the plan, I'll give all three of us a ride to the mechanics. I'll drop you two off, then pick Sarah up and we can meet up at that place right by your guy's theater, to still have breakfast so none of you will be late." He explains as I nod and so does she, liking the plan, making me smile.

"Alright you two, my chariot awaits you." Josh states to us as we follow behind him to his car. I open the back door for her as she smiles and sits down into there, then scooting over and patting the seat besides her for me to join. I sat down quicker than I think either one of us expected, and scooting over the seat, instantly running my arm across her shoulders just to wrap around her, making her bite her lip.

"Only rule in my car.. No making babies back there, that can only happen in my car as long as it's me.. with Sarah, of course." he says, looking at Missy as she smirks at him and replying, "Yea better be with Sarah." She states with threat in her voice as I reply, "you don't have to worry about that, it is only Sarah for him, hopefully after tonight." I state as she curiously looks at me then to Josh. "Yea I am going to see if she will be my lady.. officially tonight, when I take her to dinner.. but don't you get all protective on me Missy.. You better take care of Derek because he is taking a huge leap of faith with you, for you.. So, if he gets hurt, then there will be hell to pay." Josh warns her as she nods at him.

"Well then, hopefully he doesn't mind me sticking around for a long time." She says shyly to him but staring straight at me, causing my head to shake vigorously. "I don't mind that one bit." I reply without hesitation, causing her to smile just as big as I am. "well we will see about that.. but don't let her hot t**s distract you Derek.. what am I saying, hot t**s always distract us.. you're screwed." he states playfully before turning on the car and starting the drive over to the mechanics.

We got there pretty quickly, I say a quick thanks as I watched him drive away, saying out the window, "See you soon." I nod at that, as I quickly take her hand into mine, walking into the shop. "Hey man, glad you got here so quickly.. it ended up being a very easy fix once the parts came in.. so she is good to go." Dave states to me patting the side of my jeep as I smile at him, "Thanks again man, I appreciate your help." I walk with him to the register to pay and of course tip for always taking care of everything I need with my vehicles.. he is very reliable at a fair price and the only person I seem to come to. "Thanks Dave, I always appreciate your help." I say to him as he nods at me but quickly takes hold of Missy's hand before kissing the back of it.

"I had no idea you had such a stunning lady Derek.. but I guess being a handsome doctor probably gets that for you ten fold.. even though, I thought for the longest time that you were single." he plainly states to me as I groan out. "I was single the whole time until last night and this is Missy." He looks at me with astonishment. "Well lucky you.. nice to meet you Missy." he states to me as she kindly replies. "Pleasure to meet you as well Dave.. I hope you have a wonderful day."

"Well, I would like to say I'm going to have a good day but I bet nothing would beat the day he is about to have with you." He says, still staring at Missy, making me slightly jealous as she blushes in response to his comments. But I can't let these little things get to me. I know she is beautiful. I have eyes, so I can see her too and can't expect everyone to not see her beauty either. "Thanks again Dave, try to have a good day anyways." I said, taking her hand into mine once again and lead her out behind me to my jeep. I went to the passenger side, opening the door for her as she smiles big, saying with surprise in her tone, "thank you, that's so sweet of you."

"No problem beautiful." I shut the door behind her before circling around and climbing into the driver's seat. I have to readjust the seat since I'm obviously taller than Dave, but once I'm comfortable, I get the engine turned on as I pull out of the parking lot to head for the restaurant.

"So, I have to ask, Did you really mean what you said about sticking around with me for a while?" I inquire from her as I glance over to see her getting a shy look on her face. "I would really like that a lot as long as you can stand me for that long." She answers honestly as I reply, "what if I want you for longer than that?"

"Then I'm sticking around for as long as you can stand me and if that is forever, then so be it." She humorously states to me, causing a chuckle to escape my lips in approval of that answer.. just what I wanted to hear. I don't know if that's good or bad at this point. But there is only one way to find out. I reach over with the only confidence I have, and grabbing her petite hand into mine before pulling it up to my lips and pressing my lips to her soft skin. "I really hope you mean that because I know I do." I say to her as she smiles so big at me, showing her complete approval of my affections towards her. I can already tell this is going to be a great day thanks to her.