Derrick

(Derrick's POV)

I first met Lisa when I joined this company three years ago. It's a place that helps us network and make connections with different musical artists. Lisa is talented at writing love songs, heartbreak ballads, and party tracks, while the music I make is darker—more tortured. She hadn't been there long when I started, so we were both new and became friends.

I thought she was cute, but I had a girlfriend at the time, and she was in a relationship too, so I never said anything out of line. Even after my girlfriend and I broke up, it was hard to broach the subject of asking Lisa out. Then one day, fate stepped in. She asked me:

"Do you want to go out for drinks with me and some of my friends?"

It had been a month since I became single, so it seemed like a good time to try to move on.

"Yeah, where are we meeting?" I asked.

She told me the name of the club and mentioned that two other guys and two other girls would be there. So, I knew it wasn't a date. But I was thrown off when three extra guys showed up.

One of them had half his head shaved, the other half long, black, and wavy. He had dimples and piercing eyes and seemed to be dating one of Lisa's friends already—so I didn't need to worry about him. His wife, though… she was beautiful. Snowe. Even without makeup, she was undeniably the best-looking in the group.

But that didn't matter. Lisa was the one I had a connection with.

Another guy who showed up had dark brown hair and bright green eyes. He latched onto Sarai almost immediately, so he wasn't a threat either. I think Adam had a thing for her, though—tough luck for him.

Then there was the last guy. I can't say he was particularly interested in Lisa right away, but she started fawning over him. The more she drank, the worse it got. He looked like the youngest of the group—short, curly red hair, no piercings, light brown skin, and bright green eyes that looked like they could glow in the dark. No matter how many times I tried to get her attention, she wouldn't stop talking to him.

Eventually, I got fed up and went home. But ever since that day, Lisa's been… weird.

"Hey, it's been a while since we've hung out," I said one day while she sat at her desk.

"Yeah," she replied—short and disinterested.

Not a great start.

"We haven't talked much either. Maybe we can eat lunch together? What have you been up to lately?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

She blushed, brushing her curly blonde hair behind her ear.

"I'm saving my appetite... I'm leaving work early today to get food."

That surprised me. She blushed when I talked to her—so why didn't she want to eat with me?

"Oh, is your family in town or something?" I asked, leaning against her desk.

"Um…" Before she could answer, her phone buzzed. She snatched it up like her life depended on it, then giggled at whatever she saw.

"I'm sorry... what were you asking?"

She forgot that fast?

"I've never seen you check your phone during work before."

She blushed again and said, "Well... I'm not with a client right now. It's just you."

Ouch.

"And I'm only here to focus for a few hours. It's hard to get writing done at home."

"I completely understand! This environment's so relaxing—it helps me think."

She fidgeted and replied, "It's not that..."

Then her phone buzzed again. She smiled and sent a reply.

"I guess I don't completely understand, then."

"When I'm home... it's just hard to think about work. I think I have too much freedom, so I get... distracted. Anyway, I have to go." She zipped her USB drive into her purse.

"Maybe we can have lunch tomorrow, then? I'd love to catch up."

"Okay... I'll need to talk to my boyfriend about it. I just want to make sure he's comfortable."

Boyfriend? Since when?

"A boyfriend?" I repeated, trying to stay calm.

She nodded, then quickly walked toward the exit.

I followed her.

Outside, I saw her locked in a full-on embrace with the guy from the club—the youngest one. They were kissing like no one else existed. I recognized him instantly by his hair.

After their PDA, he whispered something into her ear, making her face light up even more. Then they got into a red luxury sports car—the kind you only see in movies. He wore designer clothes and an expensive watch.

He must be rich… but Lisa never struck me as the gold digger type. We make good money here. Maybe it's from his parents. Lisa could be buying his clothes for all I know. Even if he comes from money, she's known me longer. And I'm good-looking too…

But maybe I should ask a woman's opinion—just in case.

Angela had seen the same thing, so I invited her out for coffee.

Once we were settled in a booth, I asked, "So... if you had to choose between me and Lisa's new boyfriend, who would you pick?"

"That's a super cringey question to ask me, loser," she said, sipping her iced coffee.

"I'm just curious! I mean, he's got money, but I'm better looking, right?!"

She sighed. "Let me put it this way. With your looks, I bet you've never had trouble talking to women."

So far, so good.

"But with his looks? He probably never even had to talk. I bet all the women in his life approached him first. I doubt he's ever been rejected."

"…Okay, damn, I get it." I rubbed my hair and sulked a little, drinking my water.

"Do you have a crush on her or something?" she asked.

I didn't answer.

"Does she know?"

"I don't think so."

Angela let out a breath of relief. "Good. Don't tell her. I don't know how long they've been dating, but she is in deep. She'll cut you off without hesitation if you're not careful."

"It's been a month. She met him last month."

I've known her so much longer… we're friends. There's no way she'd cut me off that easily.

The next day I looked for her, but she didn't show up. The day after that, she came in late. I used the chance to talk to her. She was dressed more conservatively than usual… Maybe the guy she's with is controlling?

"Did your boyfriend give you permission to eat with me?" I teased.

She gasped. "I completely forgot to bring it up!.. Plus, it's dinner time now... I'll text him, and we can eat together next time."

She grinned, as if I'd be pleased. It's been two days. She's clearly not excited.

"I saw your boyfriend. He looks like he's straight out of high school. Does he still live with his parents? What are you even doing with someone like that?"

The bitterness slipped out. She rolled her eyes.

"He owns a business, has a car, and lives in his own house. He's doing better than half the guys my age. And I'm only 23, so don't talk to me like I'm 50 or something."

"I didn't mean it like that, I'm sorry. It's just... he's so young. I'm sure his immaturity annoys you sometimes."

"Not at all. In a lot of ways, he's more mature than I am."

That irritated me.

"Wouldn't someone who's known you longer be better? It's weird to jump into a relationship with a guy you just met—especially after how you and Jonah split up."

She stood and glared.

"Mind your f**king business."

"Okay, you're right. You didn't ask for my opinion. I'm sorry."

"Right answer."

It would be a bad time to confess now.

"I'll just see you at lunchtime tomorrow?"

She nodded.

The next day, she approached me. Said she was in the mood for a sub sandwich. We ate outside on a bench.

"Remember the day I started working here?" I asked.

She chewed, then nodded. "Yeah, you were so anti-social back then… Wow, I just realized it's been three years! Time really flies."

"Well... I was with someone back then, so I didn't say it, but… I thought you were super pretty. I was nervous."

She looked surprised, then smiled.

"Wow. Did you have a crush on me or something?"

She's smiling. That's a good sign.

"I still feel the same way. I wish I had the chance to tell you earlier, but I don't want to wait for you to get through another relationship. I like you, Lisa."

She stood up and threw her food in the trash.

"Don't talk to me unless it's work-related from now on."

I jumped up.

"Wait! You've been missing work, dressing differently, you had to ask permission just to eat with me! Don't you realize he's trying to control you?! Why are you even with this guy?!"

She stopped and turned.

"I didn't have to ask. I asked because I care about his feelings and didn't want him to get the wrong idea. I've been coming in less because I'm happier at home. And I'm wearing this outfit because…"

She unbuttoned her high collar, and I felt the blood rush to my face. When she folded the collar down, it revealed several kiss marks.

"It was too much trouble to cover them all with foundation. I would've been late, so I bought this on the way to work."

There's no way they aren't sleeping together already… It's only been a month. I had hope.

"…Oh."

She buttoned her shirt back up and said,

"I didn't owe you an explanation, but you wouldn't shut up. So now you know."

She waited a few seconds, then walked away, leaving me alone with my thoughts.