Suzy didn’t answer Derek’s question directly. Instead, she lifted her chin toward the apartment ahead.

"We’re here."

Derek immediately caught the attempt to dodge the subject and pouted in dissatisfaction.

Fortunately, his attention was quickly diverted. The moment Suzy pushed open the door, every trace of annoyance vanished from his face.

"Slippers are by the entrance," she reminded him.

After changing their shoes, they stepped inside.

The lights switched on automatically. Derek’s eyes widened almost instantly.

The apartment’s décor, furnishings, and equipment were impressive enough on their own, but what truly shocked him was something else.

Electricity.

Just having reliable electricity was astonishing.

The apartment he had been staying in also had power, but the difference between the two places was night and day.

The interior was warm, spotless, and inviting.

Soft golden light filled every corner, creating an atmosphere of comfort and security.

His gaze eventually landed on the fireplace in the living room.

Now that the deep freeze had arrived, the idea of living in a home with a functioning fireplace felt almost luxurious.

His own place had become little better than an icebox.

"From now on, you’ll be staying here," Suzy said, pointing toward the apartment opposite. "My place is right across the hall. If you need anything, come find me."

Derek blinked.

His expression immediately brightened.

"You’re not staying here with me?"

Suzy shook her head.

Only then did Derek glance behind her and realize Thomas wasn’t there.

Neither Thomas nor Leonard had followed them inside. They had gone into the apartment across the hall instead.

Derek casually asked, "Where’s Thomas?"

Suzy couldn’t help laughing. "He’ll be living here too."

The relief that washed across Derek’s face was impossible to miss.

"That’s great."

His smile widened. "It would’ve been boring living here by myself."

Suzy twitched a corner of her mouth. For some reason, she didn’t believe a word of it.

Before she could continue the conversation, Derek had already grabbed her wrist and dragged her deeper into the apartment.

"This place is incredible."

Every room they entered earned another round of admiration. The entire apartment had clearly been designed with care.

In terms of comfort, it felt almost no different from life before the apocalypse.

The realization stirred something inside him. Suzy was willing to let him live somewhere like this.

Pretending he wasn’t touched would have been impossible.

Maybe she had been preparing this all along.

A sudden sting filled his nose. Suzy had always treated him well. Even before the apocalypse, she had looked after him more than anyone else.

After the world collapsed, she still remembered him. Still worried about him. Still came looking for him.

How could he ever let someone like that go?

"Come on." Suzy gestured for him to follow. "Pick a room."

Together, they inspected each bedroom.

In the end, Derek chose the room furthest from the others.

"I’ll take this one."

"Works for me. Whatever you like." Suzy nodded.

"Hungry? We could get something to eat first..."

Before she could finish speaking, a click sounded behind her.

The bedroom door had been shut.

Suzy turned around. Derek was standing there, smiling.

"What?"

Instead of answering, he walked toward her. One arm slipped around her waist.

With steady pressure, he guided her backward until she found herself standing against the wall.

Warmth pressed against her back.

Looking up, she met those familiar amber eyes.

She blinked.

The next second, Derek leaned down and brushed a gentle kiss against the corner of her lips.

The touch was soft. Affectionate. Lingering.

"Suzy..." His voice dropped to a murmur. "I missed you."

The words carried an honesty that tugged at her heart. "Did you miss me too?"

Suzy’s fingers settled on his broad shoulders. A smile softened her features.

"I missed you too."

"Really?" Derek’s brows drew together. His expression turned faintly aggrieved.

"As far as I can tell, you’ve had plenty of other people keeping you company."

The accusation lacked any real hostility.

It sounded more like playful jealousy than genuine resentment.

From the moment he arrived, he had noticed the unusual dynamic between Suzy and Thomas.

This time, it felt even more obvious than before.

After all, Thomas had been by her side long before Derek appeared.

Fortunately, Derek was smart enough to pretend he hadn’t noticed.

A clever man knew when not to ask certain questions.

His complaint was little more than an excuse. A reason to steal a little extra attention.

After lightly brushing another kiss against her lips, he finally relented and loosened his hold.

"That’s it?" Suzy asked with raised brows.

Derek held her gaze for a moment. Then lowered his head again.

"Maybe one more."

His lips brushed hers once more. Gentle. Playful. Teasing.

Suzy honestly had no idea where he’d learned this sort of behavior.

Suddenly, Derek’s eyes lit up as though he’d just remembered something important.

"Suzy."

"What?"

"You said I gained weight, remember?"

Suzy reached up and pinched his cheek.

The skin was soft. There was indeed a little more fullness there than before.

"A little."

Derek’s smile immediately returned.

"I told you before." His voice grew suspiciously innocent. "Would you like to verify my other claim too?"

The comment instantly reminded Suzy of his shameless remarks on the assault boat.

She poked a finger against his chest.

"You’re still thinking about that?"

Derek leaned closer. His long lashes fluttered as he deliberately widened those bright amber eyes.

He knew exactly how attractive he was. And he wasn’t above using that knowledge.

"Maybe another time." Suzy’s expression remained perfectly composed.

The answer devastated him. His shoulders visibly slumped.

"...And when exactly is ’another time’?"

Rare moments alone together were hard enough to come by. Who knew when the next opportunity would arrive?

Derek wasn’t nearly optimistic enough to assume there would always be another chance.

At the same time, he worried that pushing too hard might annoy her.

"Forget it." His voice dropped noticeably. The disappointment was almost tangible.

Suzy couldn’t help finding the sight amusing. Watching him sulk was unexpectedly entertaining.

"Enough." She patted his arm. "I’ll go make you something to eat."

The moment she slipped free from his embrace, he caught her wrist again.

"Suzy."

His tone turned hopeful.

"Then give me one more kiss before you go."

Suzy stared at him, grinning.

"Why are you so clingy?"

His expression instantly shifted into perfect innocence.

"You don’t like clingy people?"

"Not when they’re this clingy."

A wounded look appeared on his face.

"But we haven’t seen each other in so long."

The complaint sounded so sincere that even he almost seemed to believe it.