Money Can't Buy Everything

Chapter 7 Brunch

---Derek's POV---

Josh and I are currently having a wonderfully fun morning just hanging out, genuinely enjoying each other's company and eating some breakfast at the same place we went to eat yesterday.. Mostly because it was so good and next to the theatre, so very convenient.. I figured we should probably eat before the play, because I don't know how long it will be and sometimes they are really long and I'm too hungry already to sit there for who knows how long on an empty stomach.. so I figured I might as well eat before, so my stomach isn't louder than the play itself.

"I'm curious to see how she does in this play.. I bet she tricked you into buying the tickets with her good looks.. and only has a tiny part in the play but didn't expect you to want to actually go to call her out on it." Josh states his hypothesis to me as I shrug my shoulders.

"I don't care how big the part is or how good she is.. I just want to see her perform.. I'm curious about her and what she seems to like.. does she sing? dance? or suck at this, but loves it so much that she continues to try? I'm just so curious about her all around.. she is so mysterious that it just draws me to her like a moth to a flame.. I just don't know what I'm going to find out and that, for me, is the best part.. I like not knowing what I'm going to get when it comes to her.. all the girls we work with are so predictable and she is not." I declared as I glanced out the window to the theatre.

But I saw something I wasn't expecting to see just yet.. This time I didn't just notice the old, huge, classic structure that is the theatre, I saw Missy looking more stunning than I had ever seen.. She is smiling and talking with another girl as they casually walked across the street, towards the restaurant we are in.

I instantly jump up so abruptly, starting a small commotion by hitting my leg on the table and gaining not only Josh's attention but everyone around us.. which causes Josh to laugh very loudly at my embarrassment and pain, once he sees why I'm reacting this way. I look at him nervously as he smiles and says, "Go get her tiger." I nod and hopping to as I watch her talking with the cashier putting in an order for her and the other girl to take Togo with them.

"Ok it will just be $15.75 for you Missy." The cashier says to her as she reaches for her wallet in her backpack.. But at this point, I already had my wallet out, because I knew what I planned to do before she even knew what was coming her way. I reach over the top of her, handing a 20$ bill to the cashier who is looking at me curiously, even before Missy even notices. "Keep the change." I tell her as she smiles and nods, looking back and forth between Missy and I.

My voice is noticed by Missy as she quickly looks from me to the cashier who is putting the 20$ into the cash drawer. "Did you just pay for our meal?" She asks me in shock as I smile and nod. "I had to get you something for good luck today." I reply without hesitation causing the girl next to her and cashier to "Awe that's so sweet." In unison to no one in particular.

But what really catches my attention is the cautious look on her face directed at me, as she nods and says under her breath "Yes it is."

"Thank you Derek.. you didn't have to, but thank you, that was sweet of you." She says shyly to me as I smile and point at the booth where Josh is smiling and waving just watching us. "You ladies could come sit with us while you're waiting for your food." I suggest as the girl that walked with her is smiling so big and vigorously nodding her head in response, just liking that idea. But I can't say the same about Missy.

She still looks suspicious of me. I don't blame her for that, but I can see by the look in her eyes that her mind is reeling at that thought alone. "Ok.. only for a moment, we are going to have to finish setting up and preparing for the performance.. we wanted to get something to snack on before we have to perform.. we can't eat too much or we will get sick." She explains to me as I nod but before I can even respond, the girl behind her laughs and says, "Only you would get sick not me." But doesn't explain what that's supposed to mean.. which makes me even more curious.

I wave for them to follow me, as Josh waves and smiles at the two beautiful girls heading our way. He jumps up as I gesture with my hands for Missy to sit down. I glance back to notice Josh has taken the other girls hands into his and kissing the backs of them as he says, "Derek never told me that stunningly beautiful women would be joining us for brunch. What a pleasant suprise, right before going to see the play."

The girl giggles as she smiles at him. "Wait, you're both here to actually watch the play?" Missy asks with even more shock in her voice than I ever expected as she stares up at me with those big doe eyes that are so breathtaking.. I could stare, getting lost in them forever if she would let me. "Yes, of course I told you I would see you today.. why is that so shocking?" I asked her while sitting down right next to her.

"Well, most people I know don't stick to what they tell you. They just say what you want to hear but never back it up." She explains shyly to me as Josh states in my defense. "Well, Derek is one of the most honest, loyal and dedicated human beings I have ever met.. If he tells you he is doing something, then you better believe he will.. especially with a girl like you to entice him."

"So what's your excuse for being here then?" She asks him as he chuckles and replies. "I am the support for my best friend because he was nervous about seeing you today.. and it's nice to see him actually interested in a woman, so I'll support him anyway I can."

"Why would you be nervous? It's just a play." She asks me as I smile and say nervously, stuttering through my articulate answer, "I wasn't nervous.. about the play.. because I'm sure it would be fantastic.. with you being in it.. but.. uh.." I don't finish my thought getting more nervous as the words just fell right out of my mouth like word vomit.. but I'm trying to impress so I don't want want to look stupid to her.. So I just stop before I have to really pull my foot out of my mouth.

She sends a smile my way as the cashier brings over the bag with the togo food in it, just luckily interrupting, saving me since I'm being so articulate like I know I am.. She leans over, handing it to Missy as she smiles, taking the food from her and saying, "Thank you."

I noticed she was looking right at me, "Well, we have to get going gentlemen.. we wouldn't want to be late for our own performance. Hopefully I'll get to see you after the play." I stood up, letting her out of the booth as I replied, "I hope so too.. good luck out there."

She smiles and stares at me for a moment, letting her eyes pan all over my face, before I think she notices that I notice, she is staring at me.. So she clears her throat to get her friend's attention as I watch her face start blushing at my extra attention to her, changing to another shade of darker red as I continue to stare at her.. Not caring if she notices, because I want her to know I like her, since I obviously can't say it myself without stumbling on my words. Her friend stands up, but quickly grabs Josh's phone to put her number into, making him smile.

"I'll see you after the play." He says to her, winking as she smiles and waves in response. She elbows Missy and says only to her, but loud enough for me to hear. "You could let your guard down for once, Missy.. he did come here to see you and seems so sweet." She says as Missy looks at me with a look of embaressment before turning around to walk away, with her friend in tow, responding to her. "You know exactly what happens to me when I let my guard down around guys I like."

I don't think I was supposed to hear that, but either way, I did.. I watch Missy giving the girl a sad look that's apparent on her face as her friend nods at her, then sending an apologetic smile my way, before they both leave the restaurant.

I sat back down letting out a deep breath as Josh says, "you were right, she has obviously been hurt before and afraid to give a chance because of the possibility of time repeating itself." I nod agreeing with him before asking, "What do I do then?"

"Just prove you're not the person to do that.. she doesn't know you like I do.. you have to give her a chance to figure out the good man you are and I think you're doing great so far. But with how hurt she has obviously been, I would only recommend one of two pieces of advice.. Either you need to drop her completely if you don't want a relationship that's going to take work because she is obviously going to, take some work.. or you put the time and effort in to actually getting to know her and try to give you guys a legitimate chance because this could be good for you.. if you don't think you can actually give yourself to this relationship then you should walk away right now before it even gets started and anyone gets hurt." He explains to me as he finishes up the last bit of his meal.

"Does it seem crazy that I want to give this a try even though I really don't know her? To put in the effort to see if she would even be willing to give me a chance?.. I don't know what it is about her but I'm just drawn to her like a magnet, just completely enticed." I stated to him, staring out the window, just watching the two of them entering the theater building.

Josh starts to shake his head at me before replying. "No that's not crazy at all.. With my background in psychology, I'm going to tell you that she does feel as comfortable as she can around you right now.. and I can tell that by how she looked, talked and sat by you.. she has obviously been hurt though and has her guard up, but anyone's guard can be brought down with work.. But because she has been hurt, you better be prepared for some type of backlash because that's how she protects herself from heart break and you have got to be patient with her."

I let out a deep breath and nodding with what information he has advised me with. Those are good tips and something I know will help. "OK, I will do the best I can and maybe she will give me a chance.. just keep your dinners crossed for me." I say to him as he crosses his finger then states. "Her friend Sarah seemed nice.. I'll be calling her later for sure." Josh responds, making me smile as he stares at his phone then putting it back into his pocket.

"Let's get this play started." I said to him as he smiled and stood up. We grab our things then heading to the counter to pay before we head across the street.