Good night, guys! :) I'm sorry about the delay, I've been sick and I wasn't in the mood to anything but sleep and rest. :D Anyway, I'm already feeling better, so I decided an update was the best way to end this weekend. :) As you already know, English is not my mother tongue, so I apologize for my mistakes in advance. Let me know your thoughts about this story. It really motivates me to keep writing.

Alexzmc: Muchas gracias! Nada de spoilers, entendido. xD Un abrazo. ;)

Guest #1: Hahaha. You're clearly in love with both of them. It's funny that you're the only one that's not taking sides. You just love them both. Good for you! xD Thank you so much! I'm glad you like the story. :)

Guest #2: Thanks! The wait is over. ;)

Guest #3: I knew you'd love this chapter, because we can see another side of Paige, a nice one. Hahaha. After the cute moments between the two of them, this chapter has more angst though. I'm sorry about that. xD

MJ: LOL So funny! This chapter was supposed to make you feel like that. Yeah, I do have thoughts for days. I'm serious. xD I guess that makes me a weirdo. Hahaha. That's my working process though. This chapter will make you have different feelings. I won't say anything more. :D Enjoy this one!

IJim: Thank you so much! It makes me feel good a lot of you enjoy with the story.

Thank you so much for everything. :) Enjoy! :D

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE

: Chapter 6 – A Fresh Start:

It's 6 in the morning. I couldn't sleep last night. My mind couldn't stop thinking about what had happened with Paige. I just couldn't close my eyes and fall asleep. I kept thinking about the woman that's going to ruin my life if I don't start setting limits. And that means that I only have to think about her like my work colleague, nothing else. After last night, that is going to be tough to achieve, though. I saw another side of her. She was drunk, but her sense of humor and that captivating smile is somehow part of her, even if she tries to hide it in front of me. I need to assume I'm starting to fall for her, and I know these feelings will end up hurting me, because what I really want of her won't ever happen.

When I got to the apartment last night, Spencer hadn't gotten home yet and I couldn't talk to anyone about this. I heard the door when she got home, but I didn't want to keep her listening to my stupid problems. Logically, she would want to rest. That's why I need to speak with someone about all this mess that have been bothering me all night. It won't help the situation, but talking always helps a little bit. So, instead of staying at bed, I jump into the shower, get dressed and I decide I will go have breakfast to The Brew. Hanna starts her shift at six and I know there are not a lot of customers until seven or so. I already texted her and she told me she was heading over there.

When I enter the diner, I see that there's only a man having a breakfast that looks delicious while reading the paper. I look at the counter and I see Hanna drinking a cup of coffee. She seems relaxed. I approach the counter and take a seat on one of the many available stools.

"I was going to say good morning, but now that I see those dark circles under the eyes, I think I'm going to pass."

"Thank you so much for your nice words, Han," I add sarcastically, making her laugh loudly.

"Are you sick or something? Trouble sleeping? What's up, Em?"

"Last night I met her at a bar and then I had to walk with her to her place 'cause she was really drunk. She was nice to me, she even smiled at me. It was… I mean… I think I like her." Saying those last words wasn't as easy as I thought. But that's the truth, right? I like her, although she sometimes is hurtful to me. Hanna is paying attention at every word that comes out of my mouth, totally concentrated on the conversation.

"Wow! Just wow!"

"Is that everything you're going to say? I need you opinion about this. My mind is a fucking disaster. Am I going crazy?" I raise my voice, not intentionally. The only client at the diner looks daggers at me. I guess yelling is not very pleasant so early in the morning.

"How did that happen? I mean, was it a date?" She obviously has a lot of doubts about our odd encounter.

"That's a long story." I sigh. "Well, she was rude to me again and then left the office. When I got there after having lunch here, there was a present and a note on my desk. The note said that she would be at some bar at 9 PM. I guess she was trying to apologize, that's all. Definitely not a date." She grins at me. "What?"

"I don't know if that's a date, but she wants something, Em. I wouldn't invite somebody to have a drink with me if I don't have an interest on that particular person. Don't you think?" Spencer is the official brain amongst us, but Hanna is the one you need to talk if you have a romantic or friendship issue. I love that about her. Although this time I don't think she's right about my problem.

"Do I need to remind you she has treated me like shit since I started this new job? If she wants to be my friend, then she needs to improve her social skills," I add jokingly. Hanna hands me a huge cup of coffee, even though I didn't ask for it. She knows me really well and caffeine is something I really need right now.

"I don't know her yet, but with the information I have, I'm pretty sure she is crazy about you. When I like someone I usually ignore him so he doesn't know I'm into him." A look of surprise appears on my face. "I know what you're thinking," she adds, smiling at me. "It's stupid, but I can't help it. I've always been a jerk in front of the boys that I liked. Maybe she's as stupid as I am," she jokes.

"She's really stupid, I assure you that." We both laugh. "But after last night…" I sigh as I remember her smile, her big brown eyes, her sweet perfume. "I guess my feelings for her are clearer now. She doesn't behave so nicely every day, though. I don't think I've felt so messed up ever." I take a deep breath and she keeps drinking her coffee.

"I think you're falling for the drunk side of her, not the sober one," she jokes. "You could bring her a few beers to the office so she behaves like a decent person." We both laugh loudly. I feel lost yet, but this is really helping me. I knew having a talk with Hanna would be a good decision. A good laugh is always therapeutic.

She takes another sip of coffee and I realize she suddenly is not looking at me. "A client just arrived. Just a minute, ok?" she says nicely. I end the cup of coffee and I take a look at the menu. After I weigh the different options, I decide to have orange juice, another cup of coffee to stay awake for at least two hours and pancakes. When she comes back, I point at my choice and nods at me. She gets inside the kitchen and tells the cook about my choice, then hands James the note of the order she must have taken the other client.

Once outside the kitchen, she fills her cup of coffee and takes a sip of it. "I had to Sexy Shakespeare's order, but I'm here again." She smiles at me, even more when she sees me frowning. "I guess you need an explanation, right?" She is obviously having a good time teasing me. "There's this young woman that gets here at 6:30 every day and orders the same breakfast, then takes a book of her purse and starts reading till she leaves. James, the cook, gave her that nickname because of her love of reading and her looks. You know I don't like girls, but I'd do her without a doubt." She grins at me. "She's hot, and she has that mysterious hint, you know." I can't help but turn around to look at that girl after hearing Hanna's description. The woman I see seating at the table is the one that's guilty for my lack of sleep. I stare at her, but she's so concentrated on the book that she doesn't notice I'm right here. All of a sudden, she raises her head and I feel her big brown eyes looking at me. I smile shyly, but she ignores my gesture and continues reading. I go back to my previous position so I'm turning my back on her. She made it clear that she doesn't want anything to do with me. Hanna may be right and I must be falling for the drunk version of Paige.

"Fuck!" I say, to Hanna's surprise. "It's her."

"Who?" Hanna asks, looking everywhere, although the only two clients inside the premises are the man and Paige.

"That's Paige."

"Sexy Shakespeare?" I nod at her, Hanna's jaw dropping open. I'm not in the mood to laugh at this moment, but her nickname is kind of funny. "Holy shit!"

"Stop looking at her. She doesn't deserve our attention," I add sadly, making Hanna frown at me.

"Why do you say that?"

"Didn't you see that she didn't even look at me? I mean, I'm not expecting a hug or anything like that, but a simple 'hello' or 'good morning' would be nice. Yesterday I helped her when she most needed and now she just looks away. I'm done." The rage is growing inside me. She reacted like she didn't know me at all, and that is just rude, even for her.

"You're absolutely right," Hanna agrees with me. "She's sexy, but her manners leave much to be desired. Just forget about her," she advises me.

"I work next to her. That will be really tough. Besides, I can't stop thinking about her. I hate this situation." I leave the fork on the plate angrily, making a little bit of noise.

"I know it's not easy, but you need to focus on your work and forget that she's right next to you. You must be strong, Em," Hanna adds, squeezing my hand at the same time.

"Thank you, Hanna," I say, appreciating her total support.

I see Hanna's eyes focus on the door again. "Wow! Another sexy creature entering the diner," she says, an impish smile on her face. I don't turn around to look, even if I'm curious I just don't want to exchange looks with Paige. Hanna is staring at that person, and I guess it's a boy, because she's practically drooling. "And… he's taken too. Damn it!" she sadly exclaims. "Don't turn around, but the sexy boy is hugging your crush. And they seem really affectionate to each other. I guess she's stupid and straight too. My theory was wrong, Em. I'm sorry, but you deserve better. You're a catch!" she exclaims, making me smile shyly. However, the realization of Paige having a boyfriend crushes me inside. I don't know why I'm feeling like this, 'cause even if she was gay, she's not worth it, just like Hanna said. Nevertheless, I just had this hope that she really was the nice and funny woman that I met yesterday at the pub and that she was flirting with me. It was obviously a wrong perception. Clearly my mind was messing with my feelings, my imagination fucked me off.

"Can't you please stop looking at them, Hanna?" My disappointment is finally becoming a reality and I'm projecting all my irritation onto my friend.

"I'm sorry, Em. He's hot."

I suddenly realize I was a little bit rude to her. "It's okay. You don't need to apologize. I'm sorry, Hanna. I feel like shit." I'm striving to keep back my tears. She holds my hand and looks me in the eye.

"You're strong, Em. Now go to work and kick some ass, okay? And if you feel like it, we can meet to have dinner later and drink a few beers."

"That would be nice, Hanna. Thank you so much. See you later." She winks at me, a gesture that's so her.

When I pass by the table she's sitting at, I try to not look at them, but my curiosity makes that impossible. I see he's holding her hands that are resting on the table and that she seems happy with him. I also realize he's really attractive, so I understand Hanna's reaction now. Paige suddenly raises her head to look at me and I look away. I have to stop thinking about her that way. Just like Hanna said, I have to see her as my work colleague, nothing else. Even if it's going to be really hard, I have a feeling it will make me feel better eventually. I need to escape this nonsense spiral that she got me into.

Once I'm at the office, I perform my daily routine: I turn on the computer, I check the e-mails and I dig into the project. I've come to understand focusing in my work is one of the only ways of forgetting about her existence. When she enters the office wearing those jeans that seem were made for her sculptural body, my concentration fades on her hotness.

"Good morning," she adds shyly. How come she has the nerve to say those words when she ignored me a few minutes ago? Is she trying to mock me again? I don't even look at her, even less talk to her. With the intention of avoiding another fight, I grab my earphones, plug them on the computer and hit the 'play' button so the music starts filling my ears. I turn up the music so I pretend I'm the only one at this office. I guess having the music so loud is not healthy. I don't care though, if this helps me to focus on anything but her. This way, if she speaks to me, I won't hear what she wants to tell me. Besides, I already have all the information I need from her to keep working on the project, so our lack of interaction won't be a problem at all. It's genious.

When I finally am totally focused on the blueprints in front of me, a touch startles me, making me jump from my seat. I turn my head to look who touched me and I take the earphones off. A laugh escapes from her mouth.

"What the fuck?" I add, angrily. Her smile suddenly disappears.

"Is something wrong? Are you okay?"

"How could you…? I mean…" I can't find the words to express my rage. "Are you worried about me now? Why don't you make up your mind? Just leave me alone and I will be just fine," I exclaim, raising my voice gradually.

She seems clueless. It's like she doesn't get why I reacted like that. "So working as a team is not a priority anymore? I think you're the one who needs to make up her mind," she answers sassily.

"Come on! Are you serious?" She's acting like nothing happened and that makes me even more furious. "First you treated me like shit and said you didn't need to make friends, then you invited me for a drink, I helped you because you're too wasted to even get home and this morning you don't even look at me, like I was some kind of stranger. Who needs to make up her mind now, huh?" Her cockiness disappears all of a sudden. She also blushes, I didn't expect this reaction.

"I didn't say anything at the diner because I was ashamed of what happened last night, okay? I am not proud of it and you shouldn't have seen that," she adds, looking down at the floor.

She's playing with me again, but I won't let her words affect me. She's just a work colleague and I don't have to bear her emotional issues. "Anyway, I don't know why you're telling me this, 'cause I'm not your friend, remember?" I add harshly. She frowns at me, a look of disappointment plastered on her face. I'm just doing what I should have done since the moment I started working here. Focus on work and ignore her. That's the best thing I can do to keep myself out of problems.

I put the earphones on again and dig into my passion, architecture. 'She will hurt you,' I keep saying to myself, trying to erase her from my mind. I may need an exorcism to get her out of my head. This won't be easy.

To be continued…

Stay tuned! ;)