Page 46 of Something Cheeky

“Have you eaten today?”

He shook his head.

“Eat,” she scolded like a big sister. “I told TJ that a friend was having a bad day and needed to talk. I didn’t say who it was.”

“Thanks.” He pulled the foil lid off his food. His stomachgrumbled angrily. He appeased it by shoving a forkful of rice and beans into his mouth.

“So she kissed you after her cat puked in your shoe and then puked on her sketches?” Th?o shuddered in horror. “Cats are evil.”

“It was the best first kiss I’ve ever shared with someone. I thought she felt the same way, but she couldn’t push me out of her apartment fast enough.” Her rejection hurt more than all the times he’d lost out on a role combined.

“Can you think about it from her side for a minute?” Th?o asked gently. “It’s a lot for her to figure out. She friend-zoned you from the very beginning.”

“I’m thinking about her expression after she jumped away from my touch. It was regret. With a side of terror.”

“From what you told me, she was in a vulnerable state.”

“I’m under a lot of pressure, too.” He knew he was whining, but he didn’t care. His pride needed time to repair itself.

“Yeah, but have you told her that?”

“I didn’t want to add to her anxiety. She’s got enough to worry about.” Derek felt protective of Zoe. He was the one who’d convinced her to work on this show. If she had a bad experience on her first show since college, she might never come back to theater. Or him.

“For someone who’s amazing at communicating with his cast, you suck at personal relationships.” Th?o waved her plastic fork at him.

“You suck at relationships,” he repeated in a mocking tone. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

Th?o didn’t respond. She scraped the last of her burrito bowl into her mouth and washed it down with some beer.

“Derek, what do you want? Truly, really want?” she finally asked.

“Everything,” he replied matter-of-factly. “I want critics to raveaboutT?m Câm. I want Zoe to feel the same way about me as I feel about her. I want my mom to be happy for me and not worry so much. I want to prove to Greg that shows with an all-Asian cast sell tickets.”

“Whoa. That’s a lot to put on yourself.”

“Theater is one of the few things I’m really good at. I meantheGregory Powers picked me as his mentee. Do you know how many people would kill for that opportunity?”

“Not me.” Th?o snorted. “I hate working with old white dudes.”

“I know he’s not the most culturally aware guy, but I’d still be playing triad gangsters and IT nerds if it weren’t for him.” He’d be fighting for the same roles against every Asian American actor in New York. Now he was creating the roles he’d kill to play in their musical.

“Derek, we’ve known each other for, what, five years now? Shared a freaking closet of an apartment together. So don’t take this the wrong way.” Th?o paused as if she were worried about hurting his feelings, then blurted, “You’re a people pleaser.”

“I’m what? I wanted you here to talk about Zoe, not insult me.”

Th?o gave him a side-eye.

“They are not related.” He crossed his arms and leaned back on the couch.

“Sure. Whatever you say.” She stuck her empty containers into the bag. “Damn, I should’ve gotten dessert, too.”

“You think I worry too much about what others think?” He cringed. That sounded like he cared.

“You’re shortchanging yourself by focusing on everyone’s needs before yours.”

“I don’t do that.”

“Example one”—Th?o counted on her fingers—“you ditching me every afternoon to pick up an iced coffee for Zoe.”

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