#Chapter 22-You Don’t Owe Me Anything

“So,” Derek asks as he moves out of my way in the frenzy to get the right ingredients. “Are you going to tell me why you actually asked me to have dinner with you?” I let my eyes lock with his and ask myself if I should be completely honest. I do enjoy the company whenever possible. But in truth, there’s more to it than that. A sigh forms and I let my shoulders deflate. “Honestly?” I ask him slowly. “Yes, tell me the truth.” I roll my eyes, attempting to stall as long as possible. He is just so handsome, and really, I have a motivation for asking him to dinner. It’s not just because he’s my boss, or even because he’s my neighbor. I owe it to Derek that I’m still able to live a life. “Because you deserve it?” I try, but I can’t help with the uptick of my voice, turning into a question. “Deserve what?” I let a low growl exit my throat in frustration. “I feel like I owe you. I call you out