IV.

"Are you okay Theresa?" Fox asked once they entered the courtyard of the L.A. apartments.

"I guess." Theresa sighed.

"Ethan shouldn't have said those things to you." Fox said clenching his fists. "I should've hit Ethan when I had the chance." Fox thought to himself regretfully.

Theresa went over to a bench and sat down. "Ethan's keeping me on this rollercoaster. First he tells me that he still loves me. Next, he tells me that I have to move on because he has a life with Gwen. Then, when he finds out about you and me supposedly being a couple, he tells me all these awful things. I just~" Theresa's eyes began watering with tears. She looked up into the sky as if searching for an answer.

"You just what?" Fox asked softly as he sat beside her. He put his arm around her comfortingly. Theresa sighed and laid her head on his shoulder. "I just don't know what I should do anymore, Fox." Fox kissed her hair and said in a soft tone, "Do you still want to keep this charade up?"

Theresa sniffed and wiped her eyes. "I don't know, Fox. I mean, it's obviously working, but Ethan's showing me a side of him that I never really noticed before. Ethan's acting different."

"How so?" Fox asked as he caressed Theresa's back.

"All his bad qualities are shining through. It's like he's a different person."

"But you still love him?" Fox asked softly.

"Honestly, I'm not so sure anymore Fox." Theresa said.

"What?" Fox said in surprise.

Theresa sat up and looked Fox straight in the eyes. "Being with you has made me feel things that I haven't felt in a long time. It reminds me of when Ethan and I were together and happy- the time before our relationship was destroyed by lies."

Fox smoothed a piece of stranded hair and tucked it behind Theresa's ear. "What exactly does this mean to you Theresa?" He asked softly.

"Fox, you've been there for me a countless number of times. We've only known each other for a short while, yet I feel as if you're the only person who truly knows me." Theresa looked down.

"I feel the same way Theresa. You know, you managed to bring out a side of me I hardly ever showed."

Theresa looked up. "You're a good man, Fox. I hope you know that. It's a shame that your family can't see it."

"I don't care what they think of me." Fox said looking away- sadness evident in his eyes. "Besides- being around you makes up for the bad things my family says about me."

Theresa smiled. "I love being around you Fox. We have such a great time together."

"Yeah, we do, don't we?" Fox agreed.

"Maybe Whitney's right." Theresa thought to herself. "Maybe I should really date Fox. He's a wonderful man. But his mystery woman~" Theresa thought disappointedly.

"What's the matter Theresa?" Fox said instantly noting a change in her expression.

"Fox," Theresa began nervously. Butterflies danced in her stomach. "Um, I've been thinking."

"About?" Fox asked curiously.

"Us." Theresa said simply.

"Okay~" Fox said. He watched as Theresa got up and paced around anxiously.

"Maybe you and I should date." Theresa said quickly.

"But we are." Fox said.

"I mean really date, and not to make Ethan jealous. Fox, I think I would be insane to pass up the opportunity to be with a man like you."

"Theresa." Fox said baffled. "I think I've been rendered speechless. I really don't know what to say."

"Say you agree. I don't want to put on a show anymore. I really do want to date you." Theresa said.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Fox asked as he ran his fingers through his hair.

"Yes, Fox. Truthfully, Ethan's the only man I've really been with. This is my chance to find something new, Fox. I've always had this undeniable attraction towards you."

"I've been attracted to you since the moment we met." Fox admitted.

"We're great together Fox. So, I think we should explore the possibilities."

"But what about Ethan? Are you giving up the idea that you and him belong together?" Fox reluctantly asked.

"All I know right now is that I want to be with you. I'm not really sure how I feel about Ethan anymore, and I think that in time I'll figure it out."

"What about Whitney?" Fox thought to himself. Fox rubbed his eyes. "Theresa- this is a lot to take in." Fox confessed.

"I know." Theresa said sighing.

"Uh~" Fox said uncomfortably. "Look, you're going to have to give me a little time to think this all through. I just don't know if it's such a good idea for you and me to actually take a step further in our relationship."

"Oh." Theresa said quietly. "Okay, I understand." She said disappointedly.

"It's just that you've suddenly gone from avidly pursuing Ethan to not wanting to pursue him." Theresa sat there silent. "I'm sorry, Theresa, but it's just a lot for me to contemplate."

"It's okay." Theresa said quietly. Awkward silence followed. Theresa felt like breaking down in tears, however; because Fox was near, she dared not to let a single tear drop from her eyes.

"Maybe we should head up to the apartment." Fox suggested.

"Yeah." Theresa said while battling her emotions. She tried desperately to keep the tears from spilling. Theresa avoided Fox's gaze as they made their way up the stairs."

Once they got to the apartment, Theresa and Fox were greeted by a pleased Whitney. "How was your dinner?" She said smiling.

"It was great." Fox said when Theresa failed to answer. Theresa rubbed her eyes.

"Is something wrong Theresa?" Whitney asked concerned.

"Nothing." Theresa said in a shaky voice. "I'm just a little tired. Excuse me." Theresa rushed off to the bathroom and locked the door behind her. She sank to the floor and buried her head in her hands. Theresa replayed her conversation with Fox in her head, her heart aching from the pain of rejection. "I just don't know if it's such a good idea for you and me to actually take a step further in our relationship." Fox had said. "Oh Fox." Theresa whispered. "Why didn't you say yes?" The dam of tears that welled in her eyes was finally freed. Theresa sobbed from the pain of heartbreak. She reached over to get a towel to muffle her cries. "Why didn't you say yes?" circled in her mind.

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