56. Derek
CHAPTER 56
DEREK
“ O ur differences are what make us work. We admire your optimism, and it’s what we’ve learned from you that makes us hopeful about a relationship.
“From the very first time we talked with you, we knew you were special—obviously, or we never would have done what we did during your interview. And maybe you’ve had the idea that this has all been about sex, or that we hired you because of what happened at the interview, but if we didn’t think you were good for the company, we’d have tried to date you, not hire you.”
“You light up a room,” Jansen says. “I always thought that was a cliché until I met you and saw it happen.”
“We need you, Ana.” My hand brushes her knee, and she looks up, her eyes watery. “Maybe you don’t need us, but we know you want us, we know we’re good together, and we want to do whatever it takes to convince you of that.”
“It’s true that I want you, but I can’t handle you telling me what to do and what not to do, and acting so irrationally. Your reaction to me telling you about my other job offer crossed a line, and the Owen situation was wrong in so many ways.”
“I know that was wrong,” Jansen says, “but sometimes I don’t think clearly when it comes to you. I don’t think at all.”
“Jansen shouldn’t have fired him, and I should’ve taken your side, but I couldn’t handle the thought of him with his hands on you. You belong to us.”
Ana levels me with a look of disappointment that’s like a kick in the stomach. “I don’t belong to anyone but myself. Even if I was your girlfriend, I don’t belong to you in the sense that you can control me or try to control who talks to me.”
“I understand that, even though I haven’t acted like I do,” Jansen says. “We’ve acted like idiots, but we want you to be ours and no one else’s.”
“Bossing me around when we’re in the bedroom is one thing, but I don’t want someone acting like they’re in charge of my life.”
Jansen nods. “We’re learning, and we’ll learn fast, because we don’t want to lose you.”
“It hurt so much to know that we hurt you,” I tell her .
She looks conflicted and lost in her thoughts, her eyes on her feet.
“Maybe you can bring us in on a trial basis?” I say, earning a curious look. “We’ll fill the position of boyfriend for six months.”
“Temp-to-hire,” Jansen adds.
She shakes her head, smiling a small smile.
“We’ll prove to you that we’re qualified for the job.”
“I haven’t even interviewed you yet,” she says.
“I know a conference room filled with great memories that we can use for the meeting.” She’s still grinning when I add, “I’m sorry, Ana.”
“I’m sorry, too,” Jansen says. “Can you forgive us?”
“I forgive you.” Her voice is quiet.
“Please take us back. We won’t let you down.”
“Was it one of you who sent mystery gifts to me at the office?” she asks. “The dolphin figurines?”
“Both of us,” I tell her. “I noticed the ones you brought to the office on your first day.”
“And did you change out my wiper blades a few months back?” When I nod, she asks, “Why didn’t you tell me that was you?”
“Foolishly, we thought you’d know it was us.”
“I didn’t, because I had no idea how you felt about me.”
“We’ll make sure there’s never any question about that again,” Jansen says. He reaches for her hand, and she lets him take it. On her other side, I do the same thing.
We sit like that, not speaking, for several minutes, as a warm glow travels up my arm, spreads into my chest, and brings my heart alive.