"I lived in Manhattan for a few years," Derek says as he takes a sip from his beer. He rests his other arm on the back of the sofa, just behind her head, and after a moment he lets his hand drop to rest against her shoulder.

"It's a fun place, but my senses felt like they were on overdrive the entire time." They had only lived there because Laura wanted to, and Derek would have done anything for his big sister even before he was weighed down with guilt. "So, for me it's better out here. I can actually relax."

His hand glides lightly down her arm, and Derek turns his head to give her a charming smile. "Are you cold? You could move closer. I'm pretty much a walking furnace."