Derek lies fully dressed in his bed, staring at the ceiling. Hours have passed, and nothing from Maeve.
Was I just fooling myself? Why would a girl like her want anything to do with me? She could get someone who actually walks. I was a fool.
He turns to lie on his side.
No, there was a real connection. I didn’t just imagine it all.
A tear drops onto his pillow.
There is a knock on his door. It can only be Natasha. Everybody else would send him a voice message, but she’s old school.
Derek says, “Open door”. The door opens, and Natasha walks in. “What are you doing in here? Everybody is out here calling you a hero and saying what a great guy you are. It’s making me a bit sick, to be honest. They don’t have you tormenting them in the morning.”
“Maeve hasn’t contacted me, Tash. No chatter since she saw the chair.”
Natasha frowns. “It’s nothing to do with the chair, ya twat. She’s under investigation for safety violations. And even if she had a problem with it, lots of other girls wouldn’t. No reason to go all depressive.”
Derek feels a weight lift off his chest. His heart beats faster. “I’d better go see if she’s okay.”
Narasha shakes her head. “Well, it’s better than moping around in here, I suppose.”
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