I know it's been like a year since I updated but I had the worst case of writers block and a very hectic life but now I'm back and promise not to leave you hanging again. Only a few more chapters left anyway. This one is a little short but wanted to keep a few things out there.

I don't own Life with Derek but I did create Carrianne Sam's sister

Casey once again stood in front of the three way mirror in the back of Carrianne's dress shop. She looked at herself this time however and smiled. It felt completely different. She twirled a little holding the end of the knee length dress. Then turned red when she heard Carri's giggle in the background.

Casey turned to look at her. "You did such a good job Carri."

"Thanks sweetie…you really do look good in red. So is Lizzie getting nervous…only a few weeks to go."

"She has turned into super Lizzie…she doesn't really stop for two seconds. I'm just glad she is letting me take some of the stuff off her plate, I remember when I was doing all this and she…" Casey went silent for a minute. "Nevermind."

"It's ok Casey…the past happened and we can't change that. You are one of my best friends in the world and I had hoped my sister-in-law but things didn't work out and we move on. So have you been talking to that brother of mine lately?"

Casey had to smile at Carrianne…after she left Sam basically at the alter after cheating on him with Derek she figured that Carri would never forgive her even after she became friends with Sam again. But Carri surprised her and she was so grateful for that. "Actually he we talked the night before last…he was telling me about the new projects his firm is investing in. He even said that he was put lead on a new government building they are designing for Ottawa. He really sounds happy. I'm so glad." And she really was. Sam was the most amazing guy he just didn't happen to be the guy for her and she really wished some days that that just wasn't true.

"Sweetie come over and sit with me for a minute." Carri pointed to the little sitting area to the side of the platform Casey was currently standing on. As they said she noticed that Carri seemed a little strained. "Listen Casey, Sam asked me to do him a favor. I tried to tell him he was acting like he was in Junior High but he just gave me that sad little boy voice. So here goes…he got the time off for Lizzie's wedding…you probably already know that but what you don't know is that he is bringing a date. He wanted me to tell you so you would be able to prepare and because he's a chicken."

For just the briefest of seconds it felt like all the air was sucked from the room but Casey recovered quickly. "It's Mandy isn't it?"

"How did you know that?"

"We talk at least once a week now and Sam keeps away from anything too personal I think because he finds it a little weird or because he doesn't want me to know that he's slowly moving on but he does tell me stories about his work and no matter how they start she's pretty much always in them and when he talks about her I can almost see him smiling through the phone."

Carri reached out and softly touched Casey's leg. "Are you gonna be ok, Sweetie?"

Tucking the hair behind her ear Casey smiled again. "I'm fine…it's a little weird but I can deal with weird as long as Sam is happy. Just when you meet her make sure she is good for him ok? I don't wanna see him hurt again and I can't really rain in with an opinion on this one…however you as the older sister certainly can."

"Deal." Carri smiled and then got up and got two bottles of water from the mini fridge. "So have you had anymore run ins with Derek?"

At first it had been extremely hard to talk to Carri about anything Derek related or anything guy related after her break up with Sam but Carri sat her down one day and told her that she was her best friend and that meant talking about everything and that meant boys of course. Eventually she had told Carri everything about what happened before the wedding that never happened except the sleeping together…she couldn't chance it slipping to Sam as they were friends again and she had left that part out before. She had also filled her in on most of what had happened since her move to New York.

"I've seen him a few times at the grocery store…nothing exciting…we always stop and chat and stuff…I get butterflies just talking to him I feel like I'm in high school again. One day when I was out walking I ran into him and somehow we ended up going skating. It was so much fun…Derek is amazing on ice but I guess with all that hockey he would have to be."

"Any kissing? Come on get to the good stuff." Carri giggled a little and leaned forward.

"Sorry to disappoint but there has been no kissing."

"None at all?" She frowned.

"Well after the skating he walked me home and just as I was about to go up he tucked this hair behind my ear and I swear he was leaning in and then all of a sudden a car alarm started going off a few houses down and we practically jumped apart. He just laughed and said good night and jogged off. He told me to call him soon and we could hang out some time we planned it so I finally got the courage up to call like a week later but he didn't answer and his machine said he was gone to India and wouldn't be back for a few weeks. Then when I called again in a few weeks it said he was on assignment in Dallas. I decided not to leave a message."

"Wow that sucks…he coming home for the wedding though right?"

"He told Lizzie he would be there after she called him up and swear she would hunt him down otherwise." Casey laughed a little at that thought.

"Is he bringing a date?"

For the second time that afternoon Casey felt like she couldn't breathe…"Oh my god…I so didn't think of that. Why wouldn't he bring a date I mean it's not like there is something going on between us really. We have been living within a few blocks of each other for 6 months now and nothing has happened. Crap if he's bringing a date maybe I should bring a date. On the other hand if he's no bringing a date and I bring a date that mean…"

"Casey stop…you will drive yourself crazy. Just be calm and ask Lizzie someday casually if he told her he was bringing someone…he would have to tell her for the seating chart you know."

"Great idea. I can just stay calm and figure this out."

Carri softly smiled at her best friend. "You really like him don't you?"

"I wish I knew exactly how I felt. I just know that soon enough I'm just gonna have to admit defeat and move on. I bet it will be far less complicated if I did."

"Maybe less complicated but it's obvious that you are attracted to him and if that was all there was it would be easy enough to forget but when just the thought of him dating someone else puts you in panic mood not to mention those butterflies you told me about it becomes obvious that you really like him."

Casey buried her head in her hands…"Man I'm screwed up."

"Nah…no more then the rest of us. Now go change out of that dress so I can alter it. Your still coming to the barbeque at the house later right?"

Casey stood and headed in the direction of the change room. "Definitely…already have my pies made."

"Great just leave the dress outside the door and see you then and stop worrying…it will all work out like it's suppose to."

Casey ran back and hugged her friend. "Thanks Carri. I love you."

"You better. Now get." She smiled and playfully swatted at Casey.

So what do you think? Should Derek bring a date and if so should Casey? I would love to hear your thoughts.