"I think I could like him, though," I argue, my stomach sinking. Why do I feel so defensive? "I mean, he's at least shown an interest. Derek's... Derek has other people and I'm pretty sure he already has everything he wants from me. I don't-- I can't risk messing up what friendship I already have with him. I mean, I'm his employee now, too. Full-time even in about a week. What if it got so weird that I couldn't even keep working here?"

Even with all my protests, I still get a little hung up on her claim that Derek looked at me different at the store. I'm not sure how true it is or if she's just saying it to be nice or just saying it because... I don't know. I don't know. I still remember Derek asking me to look into his eyes that day and how easy it is to just be around him all the time, but that doesn't really mean anything. Not to him.

Frowning, I stare down at my hands again and shrug. "I'm terrible at this," I confess. "And goodness, this has to be just about the last thing you want to talk about on Thanksgiving. I'm so sorry."