* I am not affiliated with NBC or James E. Reilly. I am simply borrowing the characters.
C H A P T E R S E V E N
~*~
"Theresa thinks what?" Fox asked.
"She thinks you're in love with me." Whitney repeated. She twisted her hands nervously.
"Well." Fox said. It was only a matter of time before Theresa figured it out.
"That's all you can say?" Whitney asked exasperated. "Is it even true? Are you in love with me? Tell me the truth Fox. Who are you in love with?"
This is my chance. Fox thought excitedly. I can finally tell Whitney how I truly feel. Here it goes. Fox took in a deep breath. His heartbeat was quick. Fox wondered if Whitney could hear the pounding of his heart. "Whitney" he began. "The woman I'm in love with is~"
"Theresa." Whitney interrupted.
"What? Theresa?" Fox asked in confusion.
"Theresa." Whitney repeated. "She's behind you." Whitney pointed to clarify.
Fox turned around. "Oh." He replied. Damn, I was so close to telling Whitney how I felt. Perfect timing, Theresa, Fox thought sarcastically.
"Hi guys." Theresa said softly.
"Theresa, are you okay?" Whitney asked. " I was worried when you just ran out of the room."
"Sorry about that. I acted a little rash. I honestly don't know what got into me. It's just that the card~" Theresa's voice trailed off.
"What about it?" Fox asked crossing his arms.
"I guess it just freaked me out a little." Theresa admitted.
"Why?" Fox asked.
"The words- they just didn't seem to be~" Theresa searched for the right word. Then it came to her. "Appropriate." She finished.
"I'm not following you." Fox replied.
Theresa paused. "You're a good friend to Whitney right?" Fox nodded.
"Well, it seemed odd that you would send her a card that said things that sounded~"
"Sounded like what?"
"It sounded as if you were implying that you had feelings for her." Theresa said slowly.
"Wait." Fox said. "How do you know what the card said. Did Whitney tell you?"
"No." Theresa replied. "I was curious. I thought the flowers were from Chad."
"So you just took the liberty of taking something that was intended for someone else."
"It's not like that." Theresa protested.
"Whatever, Theresa, I don't want to hear it. You should've just minded your own damn business." Fox said coldly.
"Excuse me?" Theresa said taken aback at the iciness of Fox's voice. It sent a shiver up her spine. Theresa noted the tension between as it mounted. Theresa didn't like it one bit.
"I don't like your tone." Theresa said evenly. "I'd appreciate it if you'd lose the attitude."
"I could care less about what you think." Fox snapped. The words wounded Theresa. However, she tried to stand her ground. She wouldn't allow Fox to get away with this.
Meanwhile, Whitney watched Fox and Theresa go back and forth. It wasn't like them at all to argue like this. What's gotten into them? She wondered. They used to be so close. Whitney wanted to interfere, but hesitated. Instead, she figured they needed to work things out. Whitney left the room quietly and unnoticed.
"What's wrong with you Fox?" Theresa asked. "Why are you acting like this?"
"Nothing is wrong with me." Fox said. "I'm just peachy." He said sarcastically.
"Lose the sarcasm." Theresa said getting irritated. She took a deep calming breath. We've never talked like this to one another before. Theresa thought. What happened to us? We were so close. "We need to just calm down." Theresa told Fox. "We might say things we'll regret later on."
"You're right." Fox sighed. He sat down and ran his fingers through his dirty blonde hair.
"Fox." Theresa said. "You already know I've figured it out. Am I right? Is Whitney the woman you love?"
"Yeah, I knew you'd probably figure it out sooner or later."
"But why Whitney, Fox? She's with Chad. She's going to be married to him soon~"
"Just hold on right there." Fox interrupted. He stood up and pointed an accusing finger at Theresa. "You're sounding like a hypocrite."
"What?"
"You heard me. You're a hypocrite. Allow me to point out that you are after Ethan Winthrop, a man who is not only married, but who is also going to be a father any day now."
"Was." Theresa said quietly.
"Was what?"
"I was going after Ethan for awhile, but that's changed."
"Changed how?"
"I gave up my pursuit for good." It was Theresa's turn to sit down. The conversation was exhausting her.
"You're kidding me." Fox scoffed. "I don't believe it. You told me that you were over Ethan before. Remember? Does the fire at Sheridan's cottage ring a bell?"
Theresa hated to say it. "Yes."
"You lied to me, Theresa." Fox was surprised at the pang of hurt in his heart after he made the statement. He quickly shook it off.
Theresa said nothing.
"You see. You know it's true." Fox said softly.
"I am truly over Ethan now." Theresa repeated, meaning every word she said.
I wish I could believe that, Theresa, Fox thought to himself. He sighed. "Fine then, let's say that hypothetically you are over Ethan. Well, I'm not going to give up my pursuit like you supposedly have."
"I can't believe you Fox." Theresa said hurt and shocked. She couldn't believe Fox acted this way. "I won't let you break up Chad and Whitney." She told him determined.
"I don't need your permission." Fox said rubbing the back of his neck. He felt tension building up.
"I'll fight to save their relationship. I'll do anything and everything I need to."
"Well you'll have one hell of a battle." Fox smirked. That's one of the things I've admired about you Theresa. You're a fighter.
"You can wipe the look of your face." Theresa replied, crossing her arms.
"If you're going to 'fight' to save Chad and Whitney's 'fated' romance then you'll just end up doing something else as a result. You probably don't even realize it now."
"What's that?" Theresa asked warily.
"You'll be eradicating our friendship in the process. Fox said quietly.
Theresa was hurt. She didn't want to destroy the friendship she shared with Fox. He had been one of her closest friends. He had comforted her, made her laugh, and kept her secrets. On many occasions she poured out her heart and soul to this man. Now, she was afraid she'd lose him. However, she couldn't let him destroy Whitney and Chad's relationship. Theresa tried to read Fox's eyes, but it only confused her more. She hoped that he didn't want their friendship to end like this.
Fox truly didn't want to lose Theresa as a friend either. The circumstances, however; made it difficult. Fox met Theresa's eyes and stared. They stood like that for what seemed like hours. They said nothing, but their minds were racing with thoughts.
What now? The both thought simultaneously.
~*~
* Please review. Your comments are greatly appreciated. =D Also, I apologize if the chapters before this one have seemed a little short. (Okay, I know. They're really short =/ I just really didn't have much time to write as much as I wanted.) Anyhow, this won't be the case from now on. I hope you all enjoy the longer chapters =D Stayed tuned and Happy Reading! Feel free to send comments to my e-mail: Pinayprincess516@cs.com