Chapter 118

• Yet as they approached the café, a shred of unease crept back into Gemma’s mind. “You know, Laura can be a bit…” she hesitated, searching for the right words. “Difficult sometimes,” she finally said, trying to downplay the encounter.
• Derek’s jaw tightened briefly. “She has her ways, that’s for sure. But I ignore the noise and focus on what really matters.” His voice was steady and reassuring, pressing Gemma to let her own guard down.
• As they settled into a cozy corner of the café, their drinks arrived—Gemma chose a crisp white wine, while Derek opted for a local craft beer. The conversation flowed smoothly as they spoke about everything from the new exciting projects at B&H to their favorite weekend hobbies. Gemma felt a warmth blooming in her chest, fueled by the connection they were building. Just as she began to relax, Derek leaned back in his chair, studying her.