FIFTY

Alisha

Though I had my doubt, I had been convinced by Simon to go for the date. In fact he had all but strong armed me into it, guilting me by asking, “What would Derek think when he waits for you and you don’t show?”

He had given me that grave look of disappointment when I tried and failed to explain that Derek might not have really cared if I didn’t go for the date. It was hard to say no to Simon, just like it was hard to say not to Melissa and Derek.

So here I was, stood in front of him at the forger of the large mansion called his home, dressed as nicely as I could manage with this big belly of mine. And trying so hard to not give in to the bone deep tiredness i felt.

“You look amazing, darling,” he said to me and made heat rush to my face, just like always. I was still very unused to receiving compliments from people, much less him.

“It’s nothing,” i managed to mumble before clearing my throat. “You look good too.”

As he always did, i reckoned. With his dark shirt and jeans that