Derek ⚣ ✓

2. Don't Forget To Bring Some Cake!

"I don't mind at all. I can always clear up some of my schedule, plus it would be nice to catch up with you and Alex for a bit longer. Apparently a lot has happened since our time in Hawaii." I replied, gesturing to the beautiful venue Christian had managed to rent out for this special day... that I knew nothing about until today. He was lucky I was already in this city for a weekend convention otherwise I would've missed the whole shindig all together.

I was set to fly back to New York tonight which was why I told Christian that, as much as I'd love to, I couldn't stay long.

Upon seeing Christian fully married, and hearing Derek was in holding, I made the executive decision that New York could wait till tomorrow.

Christian chuckled at my comment, giving me a nod. "I definitely did not see me marrying Alex, coming." My eyebrows furrowed slightly at that statement when Christian sounded genuinely confused about this wedding, but I let him continue. "I'll send you the location for where he's being held, and I'll wire the bond amount first thing tomorrow morning."

My hand raised to dismiss him. "Don't worry about that. I'm sure you'll find a way to return the favor." I replied, already starting to weave my way back towards the entrance of The Gardens.

"Oh, John!" Christian called to me before I could disappear amidst the crowd that somehow only seemed to grow in size. "Don't forget to bring some cake!"

-

And this was how I got here, in the waiting area of the precinct with a packaged, generous piece of chocolate cake.

When Derek walked through that waiting room door what felt like hours later, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. It was almost like I forgot he was at a wedding just a few hours ago, because his well fitted suit took me by surprise. Derek's dark hair was a short and curly sort of mess when I first met him in Hawaii, but today he had combed and styled it, allowing the longer front to lay neatly to the right side.

He looked a bit tired, with a few buttons on his dress shirt undone. I could see some barely there chest hairs peeking through, yet I forced my eyes to stop their wandering. Instead, I let my eyes meet his.

That hazel green mix. Something that's more or less imprinted itself on my memory.

He looked confused, which I suspected. He was probably expecting literally anyone else, yet I found his look of bewilderment adorable. He didn't seem capable of gathering words in this exact moment, so I decided to take the initiative.

"I brought cake." It was three simple words, yet Christian strongly suggested it would be the first thing Derek would want right after being bailed.

The look on Derek's face at first, didn't mirror the excitement I was hoping for. His eyes were locked in on mine, but he stole a glance to the bag I held up. I desperately searched for the next thing to say, and it was almost like Derek's brain needed to mentally catch up... because when it did, a slow smile spread across his face.

"I- uh, hi thank you! Sorry, I just wasn't expecting-" he cut himself short as he took a step forward. I couldn't help but smile myself, for it truly was insane how cute this guy was when he was flustered. "Thank you for the cake though," he added with his last few steps towards me. I extended my arm, allowing him to take the bag that was so tightly held within my grasp. It was impossible to miss his excitement as he looked inside.

"No worries," I tried nonchalantly. "Christian told me close to nothing about the wedding or even you being arrested, so I'm flying a bit blind." I admitted, leading Derek out of the precinct. He was already taking a peak at the slice that was soon to be devoured.

"It's uh- it's a long story," Derek replied. "Essentially, I'm not allowed to enter The Gardens ever again. I sort of got myself into some trouble that resulted in me getting banned there a few years back, and regardless of my stellar disguise, they still caught me today."

Disguise? I couldn't help but glance back at Derek again. We had made it out to the parking lot now, and as he spoke, his words came out in a mumble from the bites of cake he was sneaking in.

Christian had definitely failed to mention that part to me. "So I'm guessing heading back to The Gardens is out of the question?"

Derek gave me a nod. "But don't worry, I can call myself an Uber. You've done more than enough-"

"Don't be ridiculous," I cut him off, still leading him towards my convertible. "Tell me where you want to go, and we'll go."

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