One April Fool (6 page)

“I don’t tell you how to treat Miranda, Griffin.”

“Griff was trying to get you to chill, Derrick,” Barton said calmly.  “You’ll feel really bad if you are hard on April when it isn’t warranted.”

“I repeat, butt out.”  Derrick took April’s arm and led her up to her apartment.  It was full of boxes needing to be unpacked.  “Honey, I told you not to let them bully you like that.”

“I didn’t feel bullied, Derrick.  The challenge was a lot of fun, and I was happy to do so well.  I don’t want your brothers to resent my presence in the kitchen.”

“What did I tell you about that?” he demanded, giving the seat of her jeans a firm swat.

“You said that I was doing them a favor because I would be taking care of this apartment as if it were my own and not destroying it.  You said that they couldn’t hire a sous chef for what I am being paid, and I should have confidence in myself.”

“So, the first moment my back is turned, you let them test you, which they promised they wouldn’t do right away…?”  He swatted her seat once more.

“But, it was a lot of fun, Derrick!”  Her green eyes were sparkling with mischievousness. He swatted her again and she giggled before pulling his head down so that she could kiss him.  “This is fun, too, but maybe I shouldn’t do it, either…?” she teased.

Derrick walloped her again, and then shook his head when she giggled in pure happiness.  “I think I am in love with you, April.”

“I think I am in love with you, too, Derrick.”

“Would you marry me sometime next year?”

“Of course.  I think I know the perfect date.”

“When is that?” he wanted to know.

“On my birthday.”

“Your birthday…?  Okay.  When is that?” he wanted to know, but when he saw the impish look in her green eyes he was pretty sure he knew the answer to the question.

“I was born on the first of April… April Fools Day!”

The End.