The drive was short before we arrived at Rose's house. She couldn't recognize the car so I rolled down the windows and called her.
She was surprised and came running to the car. "Wow! You didn't mention you were coming with your boyfriend. He is as handsome as you described"
"Rose! When did I say that? Stop embarrassing me". I started blushing at her words.
Dean was just smirking. "Ba- Alex, you never said that to me". He turned to Rose "Hi! I am Dean. Great to finally meet you! I have heard a lot about you".
"Nice to meet you too. Alex kept you as a secret. But I can see why" Rose winked at me and I rolled my eyes.
"Stop, Rose. I am begging you". I didn't want to be the center of a conversation. Classic introvert problems.
Rose decided to leave me alone and made small talk with Dean.
We went to get breakfast at a cafe nearby. Judging by the way Rose was observing us, I thought she might want to present her findings later.
Rose and Dean got along well and that made me happy for some reason. She shared some of my college stories which mortified me. But Dean was enjoying it so I didn't mind. He already knew all of my quirks. Why start hiding now?
After breakfast Dean dropped us at the office and he left. I let him go because he promised to pick me up on the evening. I turned to Rose and she was looking like she wanted to say something. "What?"
"You are in love, Aren't you?" Trust Rose to come straight to the point.
"No. Maybe. I don't know, Rose. I don't have any experience to compare. I feel good but it's complicated. I am not sure if I am allowed to date him. I don't know if he feels the same and it scares me, Rose".
I took a deep breath. It felt free to finally talk about it with someone.
"Wow! It must be the first time you said this much in a conversation. I am proud that little Alex is growing up" She pretended to wipe the imaginary tears from her eyes.
"Shut up, Rose. Thanks for your valuable input" I said sarcastically.
"See, that's the Alex I know and love. Seriously though, you don't need to worry. I can tell he feels the same about you. Even more, if I dare say. It might be cliche but follow your heart".
"I know it's not like me but I just want to go with the flow. I don't want to over-think and lose him, you know?"
She nodded and gave me a hug. "You know you can talk to me anytime, right? Let me know if he breaks your heart. I will damage his expensive car". Rose said sincerely and I smiled at her.
"Thank you, Rose. I know that" I replied and then we went on our separate ways.
When I was working, George came to talk to me. "Hey Alex. I saw you and Rose with someone today morning. You did the boyfriend introduction and forgot to include me?"
"Did Rose set you up to this? No, he is not my boyfriend. He was just dropping me and Rose. I will introduce you when he comes today evening. Happy?"
"I haven't talked to Rose yet. It was my own observation. By the way, I want some help with the presentation. Can you come with me, please?"
With that, we got into our work mode and forgot about the rest of our world. Did you believe that? Good. 'Cause I didn't want others to know how much I was missing my not-a-boyfriend.
I looked at the clock today more than I had in my entire life. Never knew that the simple words "I am here" could make me euphoric. Ok, don't leave yet. I am not that dramatic, ok?
I called Rose and she told me that Jake was back so she would wait and go with him. George was busy with his presentation and he said he would meet "my friend" next time. The quotes were his and not mine.
Did that mean I was going to be alone with Dean? How was I supposed to behave in these type of situations? I honestly didn't have a clue.
A/N: Did it feel like a filler chapter? You got me! It might be one :)
But again, real life is not always exciting. Sometimes it's boring and it's completely normal.
Take a deep breath and try to romanticize your normal days. Because YOU can!