Page 62 of The Close-Up
“How are things going with you, Derek?”
Derek stands up from a chair in the middle of the second row and shoves his hands in his pockets. “Not great.”
“Why’s that? Last seminar you were in, you said you and Holly were hitting a major milestone in your relationship by moving in together.”
“We were, but...” Derek winces before continuing to speak. “It’s just gotten a bit awkward because she recently admitted to me that she hates one of my good friends.”
My ears perk up and I adjust the camera to focus on Derek. This should be interesting.
“What’s the story there?” Simon asks.
“I don’t understand what her issue is. Gretchen and I have been friends since college. She’s like one of the guys to me. And nothing’s ever happened between us, so I don’t see why she has a problem.” Derek shakes his head and rolls his eyes. “Such a typical thing for a woman to complain about.”
Simon’s eyebrow quirks up as he stares at Derek.
“That’s a pretty disrespectful comment to make,” Simon says. “That type of insulting language isn’t welcome here, Derek. You know it’s not. If you have a concern about your relationship, fine. We can talk about it. But you will not make sweeping, disrespectful generalizations about women in this space. Understand?”
Derek flinches, then swallows. “Right. Sorry.”
The room, though quiet since the seminar started, is now so deafeningly silent you could hear a pin drop from the fifth floor of the building. I’ve observed that during his seminars and therapy sessions, Simon doesn’t hesitate to call out difficult behavior, always in a firm yet respectful way.
“This is just an observation, but I noticed something,” Simon says. “You made it a point to mention that nothing’s happened between you and Gretchen unprompted. And you said Gretchen’s name and not your fiancée’s when I asked you to explain the situation.”
That’s exactly what I was thinking too.
“Maybe that comes off a bit harsh,” Simon says. “But why is it that you jump to defend your friendship and not try to see your fiancée’s point of view?”
Derek shrugs. “I don’t know. Probably because I don’t find jealousy attractive.”
“What makes you think that Holly is jealous of Gretchen?” Simon asks.
“Well, for starters, Holly hates it whenever I go to dinner with Gretchen. But we work in the same industry. It’s only natural that I’d want to meet up with a friend who knows what I’m talking about when I want to vent about my day. She hates how often I text her too, but she has no problem when I text my male friends. She thinks we’re too flirty with each other for some reason. But that’s just how Gretchen is around me. And sometimes when we meet up, I’ve given her my jacket if she gets cold. I guess that drives Holly nuts because sometimes I’ll forget to ask for my jacket back and Gretchen will wear it until we meet up again. I still don’t get that one at all.”
The scoff I let out is a reflex to Derek’s outright cluelessness. He’s being so callous and insensitive.
Almost everyone in the room turns to face me, including Simon. My face ignites.
“Yes?” Simon asks. His tone is that stern, professional one he employs during his seminars. But his mouth is curved upward, like a smile is begging to take hold of his lips. The look in his eyes reads amused.
“Sorry. I’ll be quiet.”
“Aren’t you supposed to film in the corner and not say anything?” Derek says.
If his tone were less indignant, I’d let his comment go. But that combined with his jealousy remark makes me not the least bit interested in acquiescing to him in any way.
“I only speak up when someone is being exceptionally clueless,” I say, standing up. “Or a jerk.”
Derek’s brow flies up, as does Simon’s.
It takes a few seconds for Derek to rein in his shock at my words. “Well, good thing you’re not the one who’s running this seminar, then.”
He starts to turn back to Simon, but no way in hell am I letting go. Even though I’m not the one running this seminar, I’m a woman—and right now, Derek could use a verbal smackdown from a woman.
“Actually.” I practically bark out the word as I step away from the camera and walk toward Simon. “I think I might have some helpful insight into this situation.” I direct my gaze to Simon. “I’m not a relationship guru, but I’ve had a similar experience in the past. May I?”
Biting back a smile, Simon nods his head for me to continue.
I turn back to Derek. “Does your fiancée have any close male friends?”
