Page 120 of Sheltering You

“Of course.” He sounded surprised by the question. “Why wouldn’t you?”

“I am not family. I knew Leila would, but⁠—”

“You’re family, Jasmine.”

For the first time, he didn’t seem pleased by the prospect.

“I can go home, Derrick. If you would prefer⁠—”

“Just…don’t. It’s… I want you to go.” He took a breath and blew it out. “Sorry. I’m not mad at you. I’m tired, that’s all.”

“It’s good, then, that you don’t have to drive all the way home.”

“Yup.”

He should be happy to be rid of her sooner. But by the tightness in his jaw, the little muscle twitching in his cheek, he wasn’t happy at all that Bryan had flown in.

So much for her hope that they could rebuild their friendship on the drive home. She gave up trying to make conversation, and they finished the drive in silence. After dropping off the rental car, they made their way to the private terminal at the airport.

As soon as they stepped inside, Bryan spotted them and crossed toward them, leaning on his cane. “You made it.”

Hauling both their bags, Derrick barely glanced at him as he passed. “Are we ready?”

If Bryan was surprised by Derrick’s attitude, he didn’t react. He gave Jasmine a quick side-hug. “Glad you’re here.”

“Thank you for coming.”

“Of course. Come on.”

They followed Derrick across the pavement to the small plane. She couldn’t help remembering the other two times she’d been on his jet. The first, she’d practically run up the stairs, terrified Khalid would catch up to her. At the top, Derrick had met her, smiling in that welcoming way he had. She’d known Michael a little, and she’d met Bryan already. They both had short hair, trimmed beards, tidy clothes. They were serious and intense.

Derrick had surprised her. Shoulder-length, unruly hair, beard slightly longer, wide smile. Though she’d never met him, he’d felt instantly familiar. Most men made her nervous. Most men made her want to shrink away, to hide, but Derrick had felt like an old friend. Even then, after everything they’d been through, he was…happy. Just genuinely happy.

She’d never known anyone like him. She’d liked him from the first moment. And in their time together, she’d only grown to like him more.

The second time on his plane had been Monday. Had it only been four days? He’d insisted she sit in the cockpit with him. When she’d worried she’d push a button or press a lever and cause them to crash, he’d laughed, the sound lighthearted and full of joy.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I got you.”

Now, he stood at the bottom of the steps, lips pressed closed, nearly white.

When she approached, he managed a tight “After you.”

“Thanks.”

She climbed the steps, sat in the first forward-facing seat, and stared out the window to hide her tears.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Derrick was on the second step from the bottom, but Bryan’s low, “Dude,” had him turning his head to face his older brother. His closest, not just in age but in everything.

Bryan was his best friend. Had been, anyway.

“What?”

“It’s just…” He raked a hand over his short hair. “I wanted to tell you. It’s been killing me—about the baby and the…husband, but Michael⁠—”

“Don’t.” His tight hold on self-control snapped, and he descended so fast that Bryan took a step back. Derrick got in his face. “Michael keeps secrets. It’s what he does. It’s not what I do. It’s not what you do. At least it wasn’t.”