Chapter 8

"You know, this is probably the best damn pizza I've ever had in my life," Eve said, as she and Derek were on their way back to the house.

"Well, of course it is. That's why their saying is "It's the best pizza you'll ever have in your life," Derek said, taking a bite of his pizza.

Eve rolled her eyes, and laughed. "I guess I should have figured that," she said, taking a bite of her pizza as well.

Derek laughed as well. He finished off his pizza, then wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

"Ew, what, you don't know how to have manners and use a napkin or something?" Eve asked.

"Well, I would usually have manners and do so, but because I'm walking with you, there's no point, considering I'm not trying to impress you in any way," Derek said.

"And why wouldn't you want to impress me?" Eve asked, finishing off her pizza as well, using a napkin she had to wipe her mouth.

"Because I'm not into you like that," Derek said.

"Then why'd you say and do all those things about us 'having fun'?" Eve asked.

"Because that's what I do. I've been that way for a long time. I give girls what they want, and make them love me," Derek said.

"So, you think that I wanted you to kiss me?" Eve asked.

"Well, yeah, considering it's obvious that you like me," Derek said. "I knew you'd fall into my trap, eventually."

"So, what you're saying is, you played me? You don't even like me a little bit? You just wanted me to turn into another girl who likes you?" Eve asked.

"Well...When you put it that way, it sounds bad," Derek said, sighing.

"How else is it supposed to sound, Derek? Saying that isn't going to help me like you at all," Eve said.

"That's why I usually don't tell girls why I do the things I do. They get hurt, and I really don't like seeing them that way," Derek said.

"And that's why you break up with them after a short period of time, no matter how much they like you and want to be with you?" Eve asked.

"I…I never really thought about that…They never ended up getting badly hurt because of that. They usually get over it, so I never see them hurt," Derek said.

"That's still evil of you, Derek, to lead girls on like that," Eve said. "See, that's why I don't get what so many girls see in you. Well, technically, I do see what they see in you: you're sweet to them, you're flirty, you know how to make them happy, you're hot, but, I don't see any other reason why they'd like you. Because in the end, you just break their heart. I don't see why any girl would want to go out with you after all the girls you've dumped tell them what they've been through with the whole dumping thing. They may think that they'll just win you over, unlike their friend or whatever, but they never seem to, do they Derek?" Eve said.

The two of them finally reached the doorstep of the house. Eve sat down on the step, as did Derek.

"I guess I just never really think about things like that. I mean, no one ever complains about going out with me, whether I break up with them or not. I guess I have that appeal that keeps them coming back," Derek said.

"I frankly don't see that appeal at all," Eve said. "Do you ever feel bad about breaking up with all those girls?"

"Well, yeah, of course I do. I mean, I know that they like me, so I really don't want to hurt them, so when I do, I do get upset for a little while. But then as I get over it, so do they," Derek said.

"Have you ever actually been in a relationship with a girl for longer than a month?" Eve asked.

"Well, there was this girl named Kendra that I went out with for a while, so there's her. I don't think there's been anybody else, though," Derek said. "I don't really think I've ever felt that strongly about anybody since then. Well, wait, that's not true, since I think I have found someone that I feel strongly about, now that I think about it."

"Really? Who is it? Is it Emily? Because if it's her, then I'd be a bit surprised, considering you never seem to like her, no matter how much she likes you. I mean, I know you two would probably make a cute couple and all, but I just can't picture you two ending up…"

Derek had wrapped his arm around her, waist, pulling her close to him. He placed his other hand on her cheek, and looked into her eyes. He then said, "Eve, it's you."

Eve just sat there for a moment, taking what was happening all in. She looked right back into his eyes, feeling her heart melt for him, as it had done before.

Derek leaned in towards her to kiss her. But, just before their lips reached, he asked, "If you don't feel the same, there's no point in doing this. So, do you feel the same?"

To answer that question, Eve quickly smiled, and leaned in, closing that tiny gap between their lips. No matter how much she didn't want to believe it, it was true. She really did love Derek Venturi. She smiled inside, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Derek kissed her back passionately, happy that their moment was finally happening.

Eve felt nothing but sheer bliss when she kissed him. It felt like she'd died and gone to heaven, and wasn't planning on leaving any time soon.

Just as they were getting further into the kiss, the porch light turned on, and the front door opened.

There in the doorway stood Casey, still in her pajamas, her eyes wide at the sight. She had caught them in the act.