Chapter 27

“I think it is safe to say that Rachel has gotten her happily ever after, yeah?” Said Leticia. She was having a conference video call hosted by Rachel and featuring Brittany and Fiona as well.

It was Saturday and Derek had taken Zoe to the neighborhood park for a fun day in the sun while she opted to stay back home and film a product review video for her YouTube channel. She’d finished filming and then decided to check in with her friends through video call so that she could fill them in on what has been going on with her and Derek.

“I wish it was that simple,” she said in response to Leticia’s comment. “Maybe I’m all in my head and overthinking everything, but I kind of feel as if things are moving too fast between me and Derek. I haven’t even had time to process how quickly our relationship has transformed within the space of one month. It’s a lot to digest.”

“Girl, I thought you’d be happy,” said Fiona. “Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted with him?”

“Yeah, I guess so,” said Rachel, uncertainly. “But it just seems like everything is happening so quickly that I’ve not even had a moment to stop and catch my breath.”

“Were you hoping that he would woo you a while longer before swooping in and sweeping you off your feet?” Asked Brittany.

“I don’t think it’s that. I just don’t know how to explain it. I’m excited and wary at the same time,” said Rachel.

“Listen, honey, if something doesn’t feel right, I’ll suggest you listen to your gut and act on your instincts,” said Leticia. “Maybe you two need to take a step back and give each other some breathing space.”

“You see? That’s the problem. I don’t want to take a break from him.”

“What do you want then? Make up your mind, dear,” said Fiona. “Are there certain things about him that rub you the way?”

“Not really,” said Rachel. “To be honest, Derek is a great guy now that I’ve gotten to know him and he’s a fantastic dad to Zoe.”

“But?” Leticia prompted her.

“But, I just feel as if there’s still something missing in our relationship,” Rachel confessed. “He asked me to move in with him last night and I said I’d think about it. That was something that should have elicited a quick yes from me but I hesitated.”

“Why?” Asked Brittany. “Why are you hesitating?”

Rachel exhaled slowly. “I think I’m falling in love with Derek.”

All of her friends cheered and congratulated her in unison.

“That’s great, Rachel,” said Fiona.

“Have you told him?” Brittany wanted to know.

“No, not yet,” said Rachel dully.

“Why not?” Asked Leticia.

“Because I don’t know if he feels the same way,” said Rachel, admitting her fear.

“How can you even say that? I’m not there with you guys, but I can tell that Derek loves you,” said Leticia.

“I agree with Leticia,” said Brittany. “I mean this guy has literally moved mountains just to be with you and Zoe. Would he do that if he didn’t feel something strong for you?”

“I don’t think he came here out of love, Brie. I think he did that out of guilt,” said Rachel.

Fiona gasped. “Wait, do you think he’s doing all of this simply out of guilt?”

“That does make sense, doesn’t it?” Asked Rachel.

“I think that’s an unfair assessment, Rachel,” said Leticia. “Maybe he was initially driven by guilt to find you and Zoe, but I want to believe that his feelings in the last one month have transformed from guilt to something better.”

“Does the sex feel like guilt sex?” Fiona asked cheekily.

Rachel blushed. “Don’t be ridiculous. There’s no such thing as guilt sex.”

“And that’s my point exactly,” laughed Fiona. “Are you worried that he doesn’t love you just because he hasn’t said those exact words to you yet?”

“Maybe,” Rachel admitted with a shrug.

“But you haven’t said to him either,” said Brittany. “Perhaps he’s worried about making a fool of himself, not knowing for sure if you’d believe him if he said it.”

“I think Brie is right,” said Leticia. “He might think that you’d assume that he is professing his love for you out of guilt. After all, you already believe that your present relationship with him stems out of guilt.”

Rachel sighed again. “So what am I supposed to do now?”

“I guess you could try to coax it out of him,” Fiona suggested.

“How?”

“Tell him how you feel about him and see how he responds.”

“Uh, I don’t know…” said Rachel, uncertainly. “We’ve only been together for a month. Don’t you think that’s a little too soon for me to fall in love?”

“Girl, there is no timetable for falling in love. Haven’t you ever heard of love at first sight?” Said Leticia, and everyone laughed.

“But seriously, Rachel, I think you will have to make the first move to encourage Derek to trust you with his feelings. Tell him you love him and let him take a cue from that,” said Brittany. “If hearing him say, ‘I love you’ is all it’s going to take for you to feel more comfortable in your relationship with him, then I suggest that you make the move to encourage him to say those words to you if that’s how he feels too.”

“To be honest, I don’t feel comfortable forcing those words out of him if he’s not ready to say them yet,” said Rachel.

“You’re not forcing him, you’re encouraging,” Leticia explained. “Meanwhile, have decided whether you’d like to move in with him or not?”

“I’ve been conflicted about that too,” Rachel admitted. “On one hand, I am happy that he asked because it means that he wants me and Zoe to always be in the same space with him…”

“But…” Fiona prompted her when she didn’t finish the other part of her statement.

“But, I love having my own place, you know. I rented this apartment with my money and put it together in the way I have always dreamed that my ideal home would look like. I’m sure Derek won’t mind one bit if I decide to redo his house to suit my design taste, but I just feel a little bit sad about leaving this place.”

“I don’t think that’s a problem, Rachel,” said Brittany. “You can maintain your relationship the way it is for now and wait until you’re absolutely comfortable with moving before you do so. I’m sure he’ll understand your reasons for hesitating to move in with him for now. You’re worrying over nothing.”

“You’re probably right,” said Rachel. “Thank you ladies for always having my back. I feel much better now that I’ve had this conversation with you all.”

“Anytime, sweetie. We’re always here for you,” said Leticia.

“You know what, when I do move into Derek’s house, I’m going to invite you girls over and give you a grand tour of the place. How does that sound?”

“Fabulous!” Brittany squealed with delight.

“Is your man going to send one of his private jets to come and get us?” Fiona asked with a raised eyebrow. “We can’t be friends with a billionaire’s baby mama and still fly commercial airlines like peasants.”

“Fiona!” Leticia screamed before dissolving into gales of laughter.

“What? I know the rest of you were thinking it too. I just had the balls to say it,” Fiona insisted playfully.

“Not me,” Brittany said with a grin. “I wasn’t thinking that at all, but I’m not going to say no if I get offered a luxury private jet ride.”

“You see? I’m the only honest person in this group,” laughed Fiona.

“No problem, ladies. I’m sure Derek would be happy to do that for me,” said Rachel. “Consider it done.”

The women launched into another round of cheers, dancing joyfully in their individual apartments behind the screen.

“Well, I’m glad to see that I’ve made everyone’s day,” said Rachel happily. “But really, thank you, guys. I feel somewhat relieved now. I better go get lunch ready before Derek and Zoe gets back. They both eat like starving hyenas.”

“Girl, why are you still cooking? Shouldn’t you have like a chef or a whole kitchen staff catering for you?” Leticia asked.

“I was wondering the same thing,” Fiona chimed in. “I can’t imagine dating a billionaire and doing chores in the house. No freaking way!”

Rachel chuckled. “I get what you guys are saying, but I want to maintain the normalcy in my life for as long as possible. I want Zoe to grow up in a regular household with me and her daddy, and not surrounded by an army of domestic staff. I personally do not feel comfortable living in close proximity with strangers.”

“Yen, yen, yen,” said Brittany mockingly. “Whether you like it or not, your life is going to change when you’re with someone like Derek. The only reason that you’re still able to get away with living lowkey like the rest of us is that your relationship with Derek is still under the radar. Once the world knows that New York’s finest bachelor is officially taken and living with the love of his life in a small town in Atlanta, your life is going to be upgraded to celebrity level and you won’t be able to live that normal life you’re talking about. So, enjoy it while it lasts.”

“That sounds scary,” said Rachel with a shudder. “It’s a miracle that he’s been able to get away with living here without being recognized. He has been doing his best to keep himself disguised by wearing a baseball cap or nerdy eyeglasses, and he has let his beard grow out too. A part of me feels sorry for him because he is hiding his identity just so that he can be here with me and Zoe.”

“Don’t beat yourself up about it, Rachel. The guy is not complaining,” said Leticia. “You and Zoe are worth making sacrifices for. He owes you big time, Raych. Let him pay. Besides, going out wearing a disguise is a small price to pay to be close to the ones you love. Don’t you agree?”

Rachel smiled. “Thanks, Letty. You always know the right things to say to calm me down. My guilt is now fully absolved.”

“I feel as if I have just witnessed a confessional,” Fiona drawled.

“Same here,” Brittany laughed.