Deana woke up for her shift, getting dressed and heading out the door. I’ll wait till I’m on lunch to text him, he likely won’t be up for a few hours yet, she thought as she headed downstairs and out the front door. 

The morning was uneventful, the regular morning crowd coming through. Her heart leapt as she saw the now familiar mobile order- grande ginger tea with honey. Sure enough, he came in and picked it up from the bar. He made eye contact with Deana, giving a polite smile and nod. She adjusted her glasses nervously as he walked out. 

“You like him,” a female coworker said.

“Doesn’t everyone?” she replied. 

“No, like, you LIKE HIM like him.”

“He comes in a lot more than he usually does, it’s nice to see him. You know, as a fan.”

“Uh huh…”

“Cuz I have a chance with him. Come on now…”

“Doesn’t mean you wouldn’t jump him if you ever had the chance.”

“Pretty sure he’d have to be black out drunk before he’d sleep with someone like me.”

“With the right outfit and the right attitude, ANYTHING is possible.”

She went on her lunch not long after Justin left, getting out her phone. 

I slept SO well last night. Thanks again for everything. 

Glad I could help. What are friends for?

She practically choked as she read his text. Friends. Awful lot of money to spend on a friend, she sent with hesitation. 

You’re worth it. 

What was up with the Anna Kendrick double feature? She a celebrity crush or something?

He laughed at her response. No. I’ve worked with her on a couple things. You remind me of her in a way. 

Yeah?

Yeah. You can sing, I can tell you have a great sense of humor, even if it hasn’t really come out yet. 

I think you just made my day. What do you do all day if your current gig is on pause?

He smiled as he typed his response, imagining the look on her face. He embellished a little, but not much. 

I work out, shirtless. Gotta keep everything loose so my body is used to everything when it’s time to go back. 

She imagined what that looked like, running on a treadmill, lifting weights.  She had to stop herself before her mind got too carried away. 

Sounds like your job requires a lot of hard work, heavy lifting. 

Hard work, absolutely. Heavy lifting, not so much except for my workouts.  Right now it’s that or watching TV. Or my favorite new thing, talking to you. ????

You’re too kind. My lunch is almost up, but I’ll talk to you later?

She finished her lunch, smiling at the thought of him working out, and waiting for her to text. She was disappointed by the ’friends’ comment, but had tried her best to prepare herself for that realization. 

I knew it was too good to be true, she thought. As if a guy like him would want someone like me. He may like my singing, but was that it?  She shook off the feeling before it consumed her. After all, he had paid for everything yesterday. Could he be playing hard to get?

She went back to work, thinking about the things he’d said. She hoped he’d meant that talking with her was one of his new favorite things. 

After work she headed home and started on her paper.  She decided to put all of her research in, then fill in between and see how that went.  She had all but forgotten, at least for the moment, about her text conversation on her lunch when Danielle texted her.

Hey!  What did Mr. Into You say today???

She sent a screenshot of the first bit of their conversation, cropping it just right before she sent it, along with a text that read Yeah, about that…

Shit D, I’m so sorry.  Did you say anything to him, about how you feel?

Thank God, no.  I think I’d die of embarrassment if I had.  

Well, how DO you feel about him?  I mean, it hasn’t been all that long.  I know I’ve been kinda pushing you, but you DO like him, right?  

Deana sighed.  It’s weird.  It’s like how I felt with HIM.  

Danielle knew who that meant.  The ex fiance.  Deana couldn’t even say his name, it still hurt too much sometimes.  

I went on three dates with him in a week, and that was it.  I knew that first date this was it.  Or what I THOUGHT was it.  He told me if I’d said no to being his girlfriend that night, a week into dating, he would’ve given up any feelings he had for me.  That should’ve been red flag number 1…

What has Bruce done/said to make you feel like this could be it?  That is, if he felt the same…

Yesterday, for one.  Buying me drinks, walking me home and putting his arm around my shoulder.  He could have just walked next to me, no contact, as a friend, or even a brother.  He wasn’t scared off by my baggage, telling me a little of his.  

Well, I think maybe use this time to get to know each other better.  Airing out emotional baggage isn’t all you need to know about each other.

We talked about our grandmas.  His passed this last summer.

Do you know where he’s from, anything like that?

No.

I’d start there.  Yeah, he did or said some things that most people would read as romantic, I totally get it, I do.  I was right there with ya, especially yesterday.  But it’s all superficial.  

Before my brother came back to town, you were the QUEEN of superficial, getting to know a guy after you knew he wanted to sleep with you, if it lasted that long.

Ouch, a little harsh, D.  But I hadn’t really thought of it that way.  Maybe that’s how I know things are different with your brother.  I really know him.

That’s great, Dani.  I’m happy for you two, I really am.  I just wish I could keep you here instead of feeling like I’m losing you.

You can come over to his place, or we can come over to your place.

As long as you keep your hands to yourselves and your tongues in your own mouths.  I don’t wanna see you all over each other, it’s just weird.  Like Monica with Rachel and Ross… except at least Rachel still lived with Monica most of the time.

I think we can agree to that. I just hope Bruce is your Chandler, or that you find him soon. It’s like you were with Paul, confident, but minus the gaslighting asshole. Even if you’re just friends, Bruce has been really good for you.

I know. I’ll focus on being friends for a while, get to know him. I have to set how I feel about him aside until I know he feels the same way. 

Don’t give up on him, but yeah, take your time. If the roles were reversed you’d tell me to slow down. I’ll ease up on things now that you have someone you’re interested in. I don’t want you to get in too deep and get hurt one way or the other. 

They talked a bit longer before Deana went to bed. As she got ready, her phone buzzed. She figured it was Danielle or Bruce and left it until she was done. 

She checked her phone as she got into bed. It was a text from a number she didn’t recognize. Sweet dreams, beautiful. 

She was curious who it was since she didn’t have the number saved. Who is this?

Glad you’re awake. It’s Paul. I’m back in town. Can I see you tomorrow? 

She felt sick, like she was gonna throw up. What does HE want, after all this time? she wondered. I’d rather not. I’ve met someone else. 

You promised me one last night together, Deana…

Yeah, then you cheated on me before you left.  Pretty sure that nullified any verbal agreement. 

A promise is a promise, Deana…

NO.  The bars are open, go find someone else to play your stupid games with. I’m done. 

We’ll see. You know you still want me. 

She put her phone down, refusing to deal with him more than she already had. Sleep eluded her for a while before she finally fell asleep.