Page 16 of Built to Last

There’s a knock on Sadie’s office door and I stand to go into the construction area to get to work. But when I see Chet open the door, I pause.

“Sadie, I was hoping I could slip an idea past you,” Chet says. He sees me standing there and stops. “Oh, am I interrupting anything?”

“No, I was just giving the boss lady an update on the job. I’ll be getting back to it now.” I head into the taped off area of her office, but stay where she can still see me, but I’m mostly hidden from Chet.

“So what’s up, Chet?” Sadie asks.

“I was thinking maybe you and I could have dinner. Together,” Chet says.

Sadie frowns, tilting her head. “To discuss something in particular?”

“Uh, no. More like a social gathering.”

I roll my eyes. What a fucking nerd.

“Are you asking me out on a date?” Sadie asks.

“Yeah. I mean there aren’t any hard and fast rules for the lab about interpersonal relationships,” Chet says.

Sadie looks over at me and we lock eyes. I want to bust through the plastic lining and tell this motherfucker to get away from my woman. But I have no such claim on Sadie. We’re friends. We’ve been friends. We made out one time this weekend. None of that makes whatever is between us a real relationship.

Do I want her to tell him to fuck off? Absolutely. But I also want her to be happy. Maybe I can’t make her happy. Maybe I’m not enough.

I can’t discuss the ins and outs of her research with her the way that Chet can. Maybe she needs that in a partner.

So I just give her a small smile, then slip further into my work zone so I can actually do what she’s been paying me to do.

ME: the nerd just asked her out

JILLY-BEAN: and?

ME: idk I left the room. Didn’t want to hear any more.

DECLAN: did you tell her how you feel?

ME: no. Didn’t seem like the right time.

ME: oh hey Sadie, I know this man just came in and asked you on a date, but don’t say yes bc I’ve secretly been in love with you for years

DECLAN: why have you kept it a secret?

ME: I didn’t think she wanted to be in a relationship. She’s always been so focused on her research and work

JILLY-BEAN: so now when you know she does want one, you freeze?

DECLAN: kind of a dick move if you ask me

ME: I didn’t ask

DECLAN: beg to differ, baby bro. You texted us.

JILLY-BEAN: he’s not wrong

ME: fuck

ME: what do I do now?

DECLAN: if you really want her, you’re gonna have to make a big statement. Especially since you were a pussy and folded your hand to a lab coat

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