CHAPTER FOUR

Theresa nervously fumbled with her suitcase. She was a nervous wreck. She didn't know what to expect on the first day of her new job. She sat in the chair in the lobby room waiting for the secretary to tell her that Fox was ready to see her. Then she saw Ethan. She froze and remembered that he also worked here. He looked over at her and walked over to her with a suprised look on his face.

"Theresa? What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I start a new job here at Crane Industries today!" she managed to get out without making a fool of herself. "What are /i doing here? Shouldn't you be on your honeymoon with your wife, /i?" she asked.

It stung Ethan's heart to hear the love of his life ask why he wasn't at home with his wife. "Our honeymoon's over, Theresa." he replied.

"Oh." she said as a deafening silence filled the air.

"Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald, Mr. Crane is ready to see you now." the secretary said to Theresa.

"Thanks." Theresa said getting to her feet. She forced herself to give Ethan a smile and walked into Fox's office.

"You made it!" Fox exclaimed as he turned around in his recliner to face Theresa. Theresa nodded and took a seat in front of his desk. "Hey, what's wrong T? You look a little pale." he said concerned.

"Nothing." she lied as she looked down at the floor.

"C'mon Theresa. I know somethings wrong. Wait, let me guess. It's Ethan isn't it. You just saw him?" Fox asked.

Theresa nodded. "No matter how hard I try to forget about him..." she drifted off as she began to cry. She sniffed and Fox jumped up to give her tissue. She took it thankfully and said, "I'm sorry. It seems like every time I'm around you I'm crying about Ethan or something." she said trying to let out a laugh.

"No, its ok. You can talk to me about anything, ok?" he said.

Theresa smiled, "You've been so great to me Fox. You're giving me a much needed job, a shoulder to cry on, someone to talk to...it feels like I've known you forever! I don't see why your family doesn't get along with you." she said.

iBecause I'm not Ethan/i Fox thought. "It's no problem Theresa. Really. You're a wonderful girl and I hate to see you sad and I will do whatever I can in my power to make you feel better." he affirmed.

Theresa gave him a weak smile, "What about a hug?" she said jokingly. Without hesitation Fox pulled Theresa into a hug. Theresa sighed and closed her eyes. For that minute that she hugged Fox she had forgotten all the pain that she felt. Maybe Fox /i the thing that could help her move on without Ethan. iNo Theresa, it would be way too fast for you to move on!/i she scolded herself.

"Fox, here's the-" Ethan began to say, but he froze as he saw Theresa in Fox's arms. "What the hell is going on here?!" he demanded.

Fox and Theresa quickly jerked away from each other. "Ethan!" Theresa exclaimed, "It's really not what you think..." she began, but Fox cut her off.

"No Theresa, let me tell him." he said getting to his feet, "I was just giving Theresa here a hug after she told me everything. I know what's going through your mind, but its not true."

Ethan looked from Theresa to Fox. "I believe you. I know Theresa would never go to someone as low as you." he said hatefully.

"Ethan!" Theresa scolded.

Ethan looked at Theresa and immediately felt guilty, "Sorry Fox. Just stay away from Theresa." he said and walked out the room.

Fox laughed to himself and turned back towards Theresa. "Sorry about that." he said.

"No, its ok." she said holding herself. Once she and Fox had pulled away from their hug she felt the hurt all over again.

"Well, let me show you to your new office." Fox said, and Theresa followed closely behind him.