DEREK'S MATCH

by Jami Gallardo

  Why couldn’t he just be a normal guy at a bar? Why did it have to be the Derek Collins?

  “I’m not going to be your fake girlfriend, Derek.” I tell him, looking straight into his eyes. “I couldn't even if I wanted to. So you can stop apologizing because I’m not changing my mind.”

  He frowns. “What do you mean you ‘couldn’t even if you wanted to’?”

  I look away, wondering why I’m not shutting the door on his face. I’m at odds with myself. I could be honest or I could be mean. I decide that I’m going to be honest. Derek needs to understand that people have feelings. I hope he learns from this, though I know it’s a long shot. I’m going to tell him the truth then never see him again. I decide I can live with that.

  “I’m sure that you’d be great at being a fake boyfriend.” I begin as I meet his gaze. “You’d be great at it because you don’t give a damn about people.”

  He begins to shake his head. “Gin—"

  I raise my hand. “Let me finish before I change my mind. I’m going to be honest with you and you better not be obnoxious about it. Keep your comments to yourself, alright?” I ask and he nods once. I take a deep breath. “I can’t do this with you, Derek.” I look away, trying to get the courage to say this to him. It’s the right thing to do. Raw honesty is always better than lies. “I can’t be your fake girlfriend…” I continue as I meet his gaze again slowly. “…because I know that I…would end up liking it.”

  He frowns. “You mean you would end up liking me?”

  I sigh. “I hate to admit it because your ego is already the size of the freaking galaxy but yes, I would and I don’t want to like you so—” I shrug, letting the sentence hang.

  There it is. Raw honesty. I would be lying to myself if I go into this thinking that it’s all going to be friendly and fun because after last night, I know that’s not what would happen. I know that if I agree to be his fake girlfriend, I will end up falling for him. I don’t want to fall for Derek Collins. He’s complicated and obnoxious and we’re too different. We went on one date and I’m on the couch eating chips and watching romantic movies while cursing him in my head.

  No. I can’t do that to myself. No matter how much I want adventure or to have fun. It wouldn’t be worth the emotional roller coaster that it would be when I end up falling for him. I would do it if there was no doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t catch feelings for him but—it’s Derek Collins. Anyone would catch feelings for him. I’m sure many women have.

  Derek opens his mouth and I raise my eyebrows. “No smug comments.” I warn him.

  “I’m just—surprised,” He says raising his eyebrows. “I honestly didn’t think that you liked me.”

  “I don’t.” I insist. “I’m saying that I would end up liking you if I did this and I don’t want to, Derek. So please, let’s just forget this match thing ever happened."

  He looks like he wants to say something else but I shake my head at him.

  “Goodbye, Derek,” I say then I close the door before he says anything else.

  11. the feeling is mutual

  “Two halibuts all day!”

  “Heard!” I call back from the stove.

  It’s a very busy Sunday night at work. I haven’t even had time to drink water since I got here. I’m on the line today which is usually the busiest station. We’re all lined up horizontally and all of us are working as fast as our hands and feet can take us. Jim is running the pass tonight like he does whenever he’s working. Even he hasn’t had the time to make someone cry tonight.

  We had two no-shows so we are understaffed. I’m grateful for it, honestly. I haven’t had the time to think about what happened earlier with Derek and that’s good because I thought about it all afternoon and it’s exhausting.

  “Four out on halibut!” I call out, keeping my eyes and hands steady on the pan while everyone else calls out time and orders.

  It’s amazing, really, how we’re able to coordinate. This is the art of working in the kitchen: when we’re all working together with the common goal of finishing a successful service. I love it when it’s like this. We all put our differences aside and just work to push delicious and beautiful food out. It’s art.

  Kim didn’t work today but it’s not like we would have time to socialize if she were here.

  The evening flies by and before I know it, service is over. Jim approaches me as I help the dishwasher finish up.

  “Nice job tonight, Savannah,” He says with a nod.

  I actually smile, surprised. “Thank you, Jim.”

  “See you tomorrow,” He says before walking away.

  I smile proudly at myself. Today wasn’t such a bad day after all. I finish cleaning with much higher spirits. My face feels like it’s on fire and I’m sweating. I want to get home and take a long, cold shower before going to bed.

  “Hey, Savannah!”

  I turn around and look at Tom, another one of the line cooks tonight. “What?”

  “There’s a guy outside asking for you.”

  Oh my God. Is he for reals?

  “Uh, okay,” I say as I go back to the dishes.

  It’s Derek, who else could it be? He’s the only guy I’ve been hanging out with. I can’t believe he’s here. Why is he here? I thought I was clear enough earlier in the afternoon when we talked. I want nothing to do with him. I’m just trying to go on with my life and forget all about him.

  I don’t hurry up. I take my time finishing the dishes and cleaning the counters then I help mop the floors. I’m in no hurry to finish. The thought of facing Derek again has me all nervous and I hate it. I really don’t want to like him and the only way I can prevent that is by staying away from him.

  After we’re done cleaning, I go to the bathroom and splash water on my face. I take off my chef coat and put on my blouse and jacket. Then I redo the bun on top of my head but I struggle so much with it, I end up braiding it instead.

  Then I finally head outside through the backdoor. The street is pretty busy, considering it’s late at night. I spot Derek right away. He’s signing a girl’s arm with a Sharpie while another one takes a picture of him.

  He’s smiling and nodding as one of the girls tells him something and then he looks up and meets my gaze.

  I shake my head at him then start walking the other way.

  “I’m sorry, yes, I have to go,” I hear Derek say. “Nice to meet you too…yes…thank you, bye.”

  He catches up to me quickly.

  “What are you doing here, Derek?” I ask looking straight ahead.

  “I might be getting used to coming here every night,” He says amusedly.

  “Oh, really?”

  “Yes. I mean, the car practically drove itself here.” He turns to look at me. “I think my car might like you more than it likes me.”

  I can’t help but smile. “Well, the feeling is mutual.”

  “So, that’s how it is, huh?”

  I bite my lip and don’t say anything. We walk in silence for a moment. It’s a clear night. There are no stars in the sky and I cross my arms on my chest, suddenly getting cold.

  “Are you cold?” Derek asks, already taking off his jacket. He places it on my shoulders.

  It’s a nice gesture but I sigh in annoyance and stop walking. I turn to look at him. “What are you doing, Derek?”

  He puts his hands in his pockets as he faces me. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said.”

  “I thought we were done with that conversation.” I look away. I really don’t want to go through it again. It’s humiliating enough to have to admit to someone that you like them or that you’ll eventually fall for them if this keeps going.

  He runs a hand through his smooth-looking hair. “I thought so too but I just couldn’t stop thinking about it.”

  “I don’t know what you want me to say.” I tell him.

  He takes a step towards me and I take a step back. He gives me an amused look. “What? You’re scared of me now?”

&
nbsp; “Something like that,” I say, sheepishly.

  His blue eyes study me for a moment. “What would you do if I tried to kiss you?”

  “I would punch you in the face.” I tell him without hesitating.

  He chuckles. “Wow, okay. I guess I won’t do it then.”

  “I don’t want you to kiss me, Derek,” I say to him, dead serious.

  “Ah,” He says placing his palm on top of his heart dramatically. “You keep breaking records, Gin.”

  “Just tell me what you want to say.”

  “You said you don’t want to be my fake girlfriend.” He begins slowly.

  “Right.” I confirm, urging him to continue. Why is he being so mysterious? This guy is so complicated.

  “Well, what do you think about being my real girlfriend?”

  I frown. “What?”

  He reaches out and touches the tip of my braid. “I like you, Gin. I didn’t make an obvious move earlier because I was one hundred percent sure that you hated me.”

  “I still don’t like you.” I remind him though even I know I’m lying to myself. So I have a small crush on Derek Collins. What else is new? I’m sure every woman who looks at him grows a crush on him. It’s natural. He’s handsome and attractive and he has the most charming smile and beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen on a guy.

  Stupid Derek Collins with his stupid smile and stupid beautiful eyes.

  “And that’s why I like you,” He says with a smile. “It’s your fault I like you so you only have yourself to blame.”

  I meet his gaze. “We’re from two very different worlds.”

  He grins. “Yet somehow, out of all the women in that bar that night, you were my match.”

  “Oh, so you believe in the app now?”

  He shrugs. “I do like you, don’t I?”

  I narrow my eyes at him suspiciously. “This isn’t some ploy to get me to go out with you so you can help your best friend, right? Because that would be really low.”

  “Of course not,” He says. “Suggesting to pay you to be my fake girlfriend was a bad idea. I blame Ian for it.”

  I roll my eyes at him. “Really? Because last time I checked, it was you who suggested it.”

  He shakes his head with a smile. “You drive me crazy sometimes, Gin.”

  “Only sometimes? I need to up my game then,” I say with a smile.

  God, what is wrong with me? I should be speed walking to my apartment right now. I should be doing everything in my power to get as far away from him as possible. Every single cell in my body is telling me this is a bad idea. I know better than to let myself fall for him. I know better so I should do better.

  I shake my head at him. “This wouldn’t be a good idea, Derek.”

  “Ah, come on,” He says.

  “We barely know each other.” I tell him. “I’m not going to become your girlfriend just because you asked.”

  He nods slowly. “Okay, that's fair enough.” He grins. “I’ll woo you then.”

  “Woo me?” I ask, almost laughing.

  “Yes,” He says with a smile. “I’m going to make you want to be my girlfriend.”

  I raise my eyebrows. “Well, you’re going to have to work really hard after what you pulled last night.”

  He gives me a pained look. “I really am sorry about that, Gin.”

  “Yeah, whatever.” I turn and continue to walk down the sidewalk.

  “Let me drive you home,” He says, keeping up with me.

  “My apartment is literally right there,” I say pointing to the building down the street.

  “Okay, I’ll walk with you then.”

  We walk in silence for a moment.

  “How was your day at work today?” He asks after we pass a group of people.

  “It was a good day actually,” I say then I look at him. “How was yours?”

  “It was good rest day considering I have a couple things going on in California next week.”

  “California?” I ask raising my eyebrows.

  That means he’s going to be gone. Why do I feel disappointed? It’s good that he’s going to be away. God knows I need the space

  “Yes. I’ll be there for a week or so. I’m doing a casting for a series and have a photoshoot. You’re looking at the new face of Calvin Klein."

  “Are you supposed to be telling me this?”

  He shrugs. “I know you’re not going to sell information.” He turns and raises an eyebrow at me. “Are you?”

  I laugh. “I guess you’ll find out.”

  He smiles then nudges my shoulder with his arm. “Are you going to miss me?”

  “I could use the distance, to be honest.”

  “Wow, okay.” He chuckles then he looks at me. “Don’t think I’m going to let you forget about me, Gin. I’m going to need that phone number, please.”

  I shake my head with a smile as we go up the stairs. “Oh, are you now?”

  “Yes. I said please so you can’t deny me.”

  I bite my lip, trying to hide my smile as we stop outside my apartment. He pulls his phone out of his back pocket and looks down at it so it unlocks. He hands it to me. “Please?” He asks looking at me.

  I sigh, feeling defeated as I reach for it. “Fine but only because the block option exists.”

  He grins, looking very pleased with himself as I input my phone number on his key pad. I hand him the phone back and he presses the green button. Seconds later, my phone begins to vibrate in my pocket.

  “Just making sure,” He says with a grin as he adds my number to his contacts. I watch as he types Gin under the name. Leave it to Derek Collins to baptize me after an alcoholic drink.

  I look up at him. “I have class tomorrow so I should go in.”

  “Of course,” He says with a smile on his lips. “Thank you for talking with me.”

  “It’s not like you gave me a choice.” I point out as I take out my key.

  He laughs. “True.”

  I smile as I unlock the door. “Here’s your jacket,” I say as I take it off.

  He shakes his head. “Keep it. You can wear it whenever you miss me this week.”

  I roll my eyes at him but don’t say anything.

  He winks at me. “Goodnight, Gin. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Goodbye, Derek.” I smile at him before closing my apartment door.

  I lean against it for a moment. I pull the jacket up to my nose and smell it. I smile because I really love how he smells.

  God, what am I doing?

  This feels so wrong and so right at the same time. Derek Collins is trouble. I know better than to let him tangle me in his mess. Am I going to do better? Or am I willing to risk it?

  Stay tuned for the next episode of Savannah Garcia Tries her Best to Not Fall for Derek Collins.

  12. who is this?

  I look at the professor in front of the room as she gives lecture. I can see her lips moving but I can’t hear anything. I haven’t been able to concentrate since class started and I hate the reason why.

  It’s Thursday and it’s been four days since I last spoke to Derek.

  On Sunday night, I swore to myself that I wasn’t going to wait around for his call but that’s all I’ve been doing since Monday. It’s starting to affect my mood and I absolutely hate that.

  Ugh. I’ve really become that girl when I knew better.

  I keep reminding myself that it’s good that he’s away and not contacting me. This will help me move on and forget all about him. There’s only one problem: it seems that Derek Collins is unforgettable.

  I’m so annoyed with myself. Though this is his fault too. Why did he have to say those things to me the other night? Why couldn’t he just drop this and let me move on? I would probably still be thinking about him right now but at least I wouldn’t be clinging on to hope.

  I don’t even know what I’m thinking. I’ve already told myself that Derek is too complicated and the last thing I should want is to have anything to do with him. The pro
blem is that the thought of dating him excites me.

  “Hey, let’s go eat?” Kim asks me after class is over later that afternoon.

  The last thing I want right now is to be alone, so I nod. “Yeah, let’s go.”