Good night, guys! :) First of all, happy new year! I wish you all a fantastic year. I was out of town for five days, so that's why I didn't update the story. Anyway, I don't know if you still are interested in reading this fanfic, because I've realized the story doesn't have so many visitors. I was thinking that maybe this is getting a little bit boring. If that's the case, I'd appreciate if you'd tell me so, and I could spice the story a little bit. Thank you in advance, guys! :D

MJ: Thank you! They will be getting along, I assure you that. There will be a few bumps in the road though. I guess you already know how I love cliffhangers and drama. ;)

Alexzmc: ¡Feliz año nuevo! I hope you like this update. I have a feeling you will want more once you finish reading the chapter. :D

Enjoy! :D

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE

: Chapter 8 – Do You Know Her?:

On my way to the diner, I only can think about her. After hanging out with Paige last night, I realize that I want to spend more time with her. With a huge smile plastered on my face I step inside the diner and I look around the place in search of her. I don't see her though. I guess she didn't come today or maybe she already left. Hanna is sitting on a stool reading a magazine. There's only a client inside the diner and he's already eating, so she must be a little bored. When she sees me, she leaves the magazine and gets behind the counter. She seems happy that I 'm making her work.

"Emily's breakfast!" she yells at the cook, turning around to open the kitchen door so he hears my order.

"Wow! What did you have for breakfast? You seem energetic." I giggle.

"I'm happy, that's all. Life can be beautiful." She sighs.

Something happened. I know Hanna is always cheerful, but this is too much. "Tell me about it. What's going on with you?" Her smile grows wider.

"Paige was here half an hour ago." I frown at her. I don't get why that's supposed to make her so happy. "Do you remember that cute guy she was with a few days ago? They came here and we saw them together. I assumed they were a couple." She stops speaking, making me even more curious about what she's going to say.

"So?" I suddenly ask, anxiously. I already have my breakfast right in front of me, but I can't start eating until I hear the mysterious story. I hate when Hanna behaves like this.

"The hottie is her brother. Yay!" She starts jumping happily. The only client besides me stares awestruck at her. Then smiles at my friend.

"Why did you do that? Now she's going to think that I asked you to do that."

"I wanted to know if that guy was single, that's all. Anyway, now we know they're not dating. I killed two birds with one stone. I don't get why you're so annoyed. Besides, she doesn't know you have feelings for her, right?" I take a deep breath.

"Well… I think I can't no longer hide the fact that I literally drool when I'm with her. So, if she's not blind, I guess she should know by now that I'm falling for her. I hope I'm not being that obvious, though. I don't want her to know it because I don't know how she will react."

I gobble down the pancakes while I wait for Hanna's answer. However, silence is the only thing that I hear. I keep eating, I was hungrier than I thought. When I finish, I raise my head from the plate to look at my friend. She's grinning at me.

"Now what?" I ask a little bit annoyed at her mysterious attitude.

"This was good news, Em. She's not dating him. Why are you so angry at me?"

"Because you always give me hope regarding this subject and I don't like that." She nods at me.

"Have you by any chance thought that she may be into you too? Would that be so crazy?"

"See? That's what I was talking about. You're doing it again." I raise my voice, I'm a little bit bothered. "Have you by any chance thought that even if that guy was her brother she is probably not a lesbian?" She doesn't say a word, she just stares at me for a few seconds. "Anyway, I have to go," I add, while I take the wallet from my purse. "Was it eight or ten bucks?" Even if I come here to have breakfast often I don't remember exactly the price of it.

"It's nothing," she says.

"I don't want to be the reason why you're fired, Han." My voice is friendlier now. I know she behaves like this because she wants the best for me, but she's not helping this time. However, I was probably meaner than she deserved.

"It's already paid," she emphasizes.

"Then you're paying it? I told you I didn't want…" I keep saying before she interrupts me.

"The woman that is obviously not interested in you told me that she wanted to pay your breakfast." My heart stops beating for a few seconds. Hanna smiles at me. Another customer enters the diner and she approaches her, leaving me open-mouthed. She turns around happily. "She knew exactly which your favorite breakfast is, Em. But I'm pretty sure that doesn't mean anything." She winks at me before attending the other woman. She was nice to me. It doesn't mean anything else, so don't get your hopes up, Emily.

"Thank you." Those are the first words that I tell her when entering the office.

"You're welcome." Her huge smile takes my breath away.

"Why did you do that?"

"Because I enjoyed last night. I wanted to thank you." She liked my company, but it doesn't mean she wants anything more than a friendship. I hate that I can't stop thinking about Hanna's words, because that makes me think she may be right about Paige's feelings towards me and I know this is going to hurt me eventually. However, that thought is actually satisfactory.

I sit down in front of my computer ready to start working. "I'm sorry about Hanna's meddling this morning. She is just…" I start saying before she interferes to give her opinion on that matter.

"You were curious about my brother's dating life, right?" She giggles.

"Not me… I mean, I'm not interested in your…" My nervousness makes me look stupid, because I can't finish the sentence when she's staring at me with those mesmerizing eyes.

"I know he's cute. I have eyes, even if he's my brother," she jokes.

"Well, he's not my type." 'Why did I say that? Shit!'

"Hanna is the one that finds him cute. I'm not saying that he's ugly, but he's not…" I start rambling again, and my cheeks go red.

She laughs at the awkwardness that I created. "I know, you made clear that he's not your type." She smiles at me and then fixes her attention on the computer. I don't think saying the words 'He's not my type' was one of my best decisions. I know it doesn't mean that I'm not into guys, I could just not find him attractive. However, my mind can't stop thinking about how Paige will interpret my words.

"Alicia told me that all the employees are going to have a drink after dinner tonight," I say, changing the subject and avoiding the awkwardness at the same time. Alicia is one of the accountants of the firm. She's very sociable and I was told she organizes a lot of after work events. They're meeting at a huge pub right crossing the street, so it's close from the office and home. However, I don't feel like being with my colleagues when I can be home watching TV shows while I eat pizza. That was my plan before Alicia tried to convince me to join them. I guess I will have to make an effort. I'm new at the office and I suppose this is a good way of meeting some of my workmates. Talking to all of them will be impossible, 'cause a lot of people work at the firm, but I'm thinking that spending time with one particular person could make my attendance more probable.

"She's been trying to convince me for a few months now." A genuine smile invades her face. I can't keep my eyes from her. She's too perfect.

"And?"

"I don't like going to that kind of get-togethers. I'm the boss' daughter, you know. They won't feel comfortable if I'm there. Apart from that, I actually prefer to stay home rather than going there," she adds. It looks like she'd enjoy my pizza and TV plan more than having a few drinks with them. "Are you going?" I didn't expect she'd make that question. She already made clear she didn't want to go.

"I guess I will have to. Honestly, I'd prefer to stay home too. But I'm not Mr. McCullers' daughter, so…" I tease her.

"My surname has its perks," she jokes. I laugh.

After the conversation, we focus on the project. Since our relationship improved, we realized the project has gone smoothly. We make a good team. Although our first days were a disaster, working with her is great. She's not only attractive, but smart. The only problem is that sometimes I can't focus on the work because I have my eyes on her like I was a teenager.

…..

"You made it!" Alicia yells at me from the distance when she sees me entering the pub. Two groups of approximately 50 people are already having a drink. Most of them are sitting at the many tables of the pub and the rest of them right in front of the counter.

"Hey Emily!" A group of ten guys greet me. I smile at them. I started to work at the firm a month ago but it's nice to know that most of the employees already know me.

Alicia hugs me when I occupy the only spare space of the couch where she's sitting. Another architect and an administrative officer are sitting with her. It seems they're having a really interesting conversation, because they don't even realize I joined them.

"I didn't expect this would happen." She gestures with her hand to the waitress and then looks at me.

"I decided to come and have a good time." She starts clapping. I know she loves being around people, but she seems too happy. The waitress hands me a beer.

"Thank you, Mary," Alicia adds. I thank her for getting me a drink. I take a sip of the bottle. Aside from Alicia I barely know anybody. I have a feeling this is going to be a long night. Besides, Paige is not coming, so I only have two friends: Alicia and the beer. I hope I don't have to spend a lot of time with the second one. Knowing how much Alicia loves speaking with different people, I guess tomorrow will be a tough day. After having four beers with Alicia, she stands up and joins another group. The other two women that are sitting at the table are still talking to each other and I don't think they want me to be a part of the group, so I stand up and head the counter. It's true what they say about drinking if you're sitting down. You always assume you aren't drunk, but when you stand up, the perspective changes. This is exactly what just happened to me. I'm not used to drinking more than two beers, so it affected my organism more than I previously expected. There are two empty stools on the corner, so I decide to take one of them. I don't think standing would be a good idea. I order another beer. I've been here for two hours, so this will be my last drink. I think two hours of my presence here are enough. I kept my promise and came when I didn't want to.

"Can I join you?" I hear someone asking from behind. 'Shit! I wanted to enjoy this last beer on my own, but I guess today is not my day. I nod, even if I don't know who the other person is. I turn around and I see the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Paige is standing right in front of me wearing a tight black dress that shows her perfection. I can't help but gaze at her stomach, arms and legs' muscles. When I realize I'm checking her out I raise my head and look at her.

"So… the boss' daughter decided to join the plebs," I tease her. She smiles and sits next to me.

"I was bored at my palace. I needed fresh air," she jokes. I love her sense of humor. I find it really sexy.

"I love your dress," I admit. I don't think saying 'You're fucking hot' is the best think I could do, even if I think so.

"Thanks. Beer?" she asks when she realizes I almost finished my fifth beer.

"I'd love to, but I don't think it is a good idea if I don't want to get home crawling like a baby.

"Two beers, please," she tells the bartender when he approaches us.

"Noooooo!" I shout. She laughs loudly at my yelling. "Are you trying to get me drunk?"

"I think you already are," she jokes.

"And you intend on getting me even drunker?" She frowns at me.

"I just want to hang out with you. I promise I'll bring you home safe and sound."

"You're so cute." Alcohol is making me say things I wouldn't say otherwise. I realize she blushes. Then she looks me in the eye and frowns at me. I can barely keep my eyes open.

She suddenly grabs my beer and leaves it far from me. "You know what? You already had enough. I should have bought you water. Bad idea." She orders a bottle of water and hands it to me. "Drink this, Emily."

"I want a beer. I was starting to enjoy the party."

She stands up and holds my arm. Although alcohol is blocking my mind, I feel her touch and it makes me tremble. "Hold me tight, okay? I don't want you to break an arm or anything like that. My dad doesn't like occupational accidents," she jokes.

We leave the pub without saying goodbye to Alicia and the other workmates. I actually don't care about them now that I'm so close to her. She holds me from my waist once we're out on the street. It's a shame Spencer's apartment is nearby, because I don't want this moment to end. "Are you okay?" she asks once we get to the entrance hall.

"I've never been better," I add, making her smile. I didn't lie, this is not how I expected this night was going to end. "Here," I say, handing the keys to her. She opens the door and we get inside the elevator. She's looking down, and I can't keep staring at her. I'm dying to kiss her, but I can't do that.

"You look beautiful tonight." She raises her head to look at me. She looks surprised.

"You're not bad either," she teases me.

"Oh, really?" I ask playfully, taking a step forward so I'm standing right in front of her. She looks down shyly. She unexpectedly raises her head to look me in the eye. Those big brown eyes captivate me.

"I was lying. You're gorgeous," she emphasizes, making my heart go on the verge of explosion. I bite my lip and look at hers. The elevator already stopped, but I don't want to leave this tiny space, I don't want this moment to end. Just when I'm about to kiss her, the door opens and I take a step back when I see Hanna and Spencer looking at us open-mouthed.

"Paige?" Spencer asks, gazing at the woman that made my day.

Hanna frowns at me and then turns to look at Spencer.

"Do you know her?" she asks, with a hint of surprise on her face. It's a small world.

This day was full of surprises, but I didn't see this coming. 'Why didn't Spencer tell me she knew Paige? I guess she didn't know the Paige she already knew was "my" Paige.' I need an explanation.

To be continued…

Stay tuned! ;)