Author's Note: Another filler! I promise things will pick up in the next chapter!

It had been a week since I last saw Denny. We had both been busy, but still managed to send a few texts here and there. To say that our chemistry was gone would be a complete lie. In fact, talking to him on the phone or a simple text just made me like the man even more. He was sweet and funny. Things were going at a slow pace, but I didn't mind it.

We usually ended the day by talking to one another, but today when I sent him a text to let him know that I had two days off from work, I didn't receive a reply. I was disappointed. I waited and waited and waited.

Still, no new messages.

I decide to go home, prop my feet onto my coffee table, put in a movie, and eat ice cream. It reminded me of the night I met Denny at the supermarket. I got in the habit of checking my phone every minute of today, but every time I did, I felt a pang of disappointment within me.

Maybe he's busy. Give him more than just a few hours to reply.

I sigh, changing into my leggings and oversized hoodie. It helped me relax to be able to sit in the comfort of my own home, not worried about how I looked or how I dressed. I set my phone aside, hoping that if it was far from my grasp, I wouldn't have the need to check it again.

I was watching Iron Man with the tub of ice cream on my lap and a spoon in hand. Despite how intrigued I was into the movie, my mind couldn't help but drift back to Denny. He usually was really good about responding to a text pretty quickly.

Halfway into the movie, I stand up to put the ice cream back into the freezer. I knew I was capable of eating an entire container, but I didn't want to get myself sick when I had two days to relax from work.

I walk back to the couch, grabbing my phone and swiping the screen to reveal the message that I sent Denny. Still, no reply.

I had gotten so used to talking to him every day that I somehow forgot how my life was before meeting him. It sounded so cliché and almost as if I was infatuated with him, but I just enjoyed our talks and his presence. It also didn't hurt that he was cute.

I decide to call it a night after the movie ended. There was no way Denny would reply this late at night. With a sigh, I send him another message.

Me: Hope you had a good day. Calling it a night. Let me know if you want to grab dinner or something. Good night, Denny

I set my phone aside, climbing into my bed and bringing the covers over my lower half. I stay awake for fifteen minutes, hoping I would hear the sound of a quiet vibration on my bedside table, but it never comes.

Maybe he's busy.

I tell myself, shutting my eyes in hopes that I find sleep.

The following morning, I scramble to grab my phone. I hope Denny texted back. When there were no new messages or any notifications for any missed calls, I sigh. Was it possible that I misread the connection we had?

Despite not having to come into work, I still had class. I was grateful for it. It would keep my mind off Denny and help me focus on my schoolwork. Since meeting him, I found myself daydreaming in class.

I would imagine what his lips would feel like against mine, being in his strong arms, inhaling his intoxicating scent… Kate told me that it was just the physical attraction making me think this way, but she didn't know the type of conversations Denny and I shared.

He understood my love for sports; we had spent a good thirty minutes on the phone talking about a variety of plays for the Seahawks. He understood how important school was to me; he had even rudely hung up on me just so that I could focus on an essay that was due.

We had so many things to talk about that we both always seemed to lose track of time. We would talk about our favorite food, our favorite movies, our dreams, and even family. Denny, however, was always more interested in hearing about my family than talking about his own. I understood. I never urged him to talk about something that he didn't want to, which I could tell he was grateful for.

After my two off days from work, I was still disappointed that Denny didn't contact me. We both decided to have a formal dinner, a formal date complete with a beautiful dress and a suit to wear. We even joked about going to a five-star restaurant where we would order the most expensive thing on the menu and it still wouldn't fulfill us. We then talked about having burgers and ice cream after our romantic date to help fill our hunger.

I was looking forward to it. I was hoping to see him all dressed up because I knew he would look just as handsome as he did wearing regular clothes.

But those two days turned into another week and still, no reply. No new messages. No missed calls.

I was eating lunch with Kate who kept rambling on about her new boyfriend. I couldn't help but feel slightly jealous. She always had the guys falling at her feet. She always knew what she wanted and she always acted on it.

"Jess? Hello? Are you listening?" Kate asks, waving a hand in front of my face.

I was looking out the window, watching the cars move on the street, the strangers walking on the sidewalk. I didn't realize that I had drifted into some sort of dream-like trance.

"Huh? Sorry. I've been out of it lately," I reply, turning my attention to her.

She sighs. "It's Denny, isn't it? Come on, Jess. Think of it this way. Another one bites the dust, right? Besides, you went on two informal dates with him. It's not like it was anything serious. It surely wasn't going anywhere."

I tighten my jaw. She may have been right, but she never knew when to draw the line. She never understood that sometimes the things she said hurt.

"How do you know that, Kate? Just because the guys you date are willing to sleep with you on the first date doesn't mean that it has to go the same way with me, okay? I actually liked Denny. He was sweet. He was funny. We had nice conversations, all right?" I respond, beginning to gather my things. I knew Kate meant well, but that didn't mean it hurt any less.

"Jess… I didn't mean it like that, okay? Come on. Don't go."

"I'm just going to go for a walk. I'll see you at work later. I know you didn't mean it. Just hurts that I thought there was something between Denny and I, and there isn't." I pull on my coat, draping my bag over my shoulder and sliding out of the small booth. I leave the money for my food and walk out of the small restaurant.

Maybe being alone wasn't going to help me, but I didn't know how long I could stand hearing Kate talk about her love life while she would take a hit at mine. But maybe Kate was right. Maybe it wasn't serious enough for him to call back, to text back. Maybe it wasn't going to go anywhere and Denny realized that it was just a waste of time.

Maybe, maybe, maybe.

Later that night, I walk into the bar and notice Kate already preparing for tonight's shift. Without a word, she pulled me into a hug, apologizing profusely. I could never really stay mad at her.

"It's fine, it's fine. You're right. Another one bites the dust. Just gotta let go before I get too attached," I reassure her, pulling back. "I'm going to put my things away and then I'll help you prepare."

She nods. I walk to the back and place my bag into my locker, sighing quietly to myself. I glance at my phone, hoping that a new message would surprise me, but I was disappointed yet again.

Closing my locker, I try to rid my thoughts of Denny and begin work.

"Heard Jason was going to stop by today," Kate tells me, wiping the bar counter before our manager, Nate, opens the door to our bar, allowing people to rush inside.

"That's what Nate said. You don't think Jason would cause a scene, right?" I ask.

Kate shrugs. "His girlfriend just dumped him for another guy, so who knows."

Before I could respond, the customers begin to ask for a variety of drinks and food from the menu. I slip into a usual routine, making sure that I gather everyone's orders and making their drinks with little wait time as possible.

Throughout the night, Kate and I work in sync with one another, like always. We both playfully flirt with the customers, but we also keep in mind when to cut someone off when they had too much to drink.

The night was proving to be smooth sailing, until Jason stepped in. He was already drunk and stumbling over his own feet. Once he made it to the bar, he plopped down onto the seat and ordered a shot of tequila.

"No. You know I'm not going to do that, Jason. Maybe we should call you a cab and you can go home and get some sleep," I tell him, continuing to make drinks for the other people who ordered.

"Jess, come on! It's just one fucking shot. It won't hurt anybody." He replies, trying to reach over the counter before I smack his arm aside.

"I said no. Now, I'm going to call you a cab or I will have security throw you out. Your pick."

He rolls his eyes. "Just give me the fucking drink, Jess. Do your damn job like a good girl that you are and make it."

I tighten my jaw. I knew he didn't mean it, but that didn't stop the man who was watching everything unfold hit Jason square in the jaw. Before my eyes, I see the two men fighting before security rushes in to break it up.

Jason lies unconscious and I look over at Kate with a worried expression. "He's not moving. Oh my god, Kate! He isn't moving!"

I run around the bar to kneel down, checking his pulse. I breathe a sigh of relief when I feel his pulse faint against my fingertips.

"Get him to the hospital, Jess. Kate and I have it covered," Nate says.

I sigh, nodding before Kate tosses me my bag and coat. The security helps Jason to his feet as we bring him outside. I raise my hand for a cab and slowly set Jason aside, thanking the security man.

"Seattle Grace Hospital, please." I tell the driver who simply nods. I hear Jason grunt awake, the sounds of his pain echoing throughout the small, quiet cab.

"What the fuck –" He says, bringing a hand to his brusied face.

"I wouldn't touch your nose if I were you. Looks like it's broken," I reply, staring out the window.

"What the hell happened?"

"Well, you got into a fight because you were acting like an asshole. You're lucky Nate is an understanding boss or else he would have fired you on the spot, Jason."

He doesn't respond. Jason simply stares out the window, probably thinking of what happened at the bar. I was sure that his mind crosses his ex-girlfriend from the way his brows furrow together and tears begin to pool at his eyes.

I felt sorry for him. He had talked countless times about marrying her, but then again, just because someone was happy in a relationship doesn't mean the other person was too.

It reminded me of Denny. I sighed. I didn't need to be thinking of him.

Once the cab driver stops at the front of the hospital, I mutter a quiet "thank you" before handing him the exact amount of money plus a tip before helping Jason out of the cab. I allow him to lean against me for support, stepping into the hospital.

"Sit here and wait for me while I check you in." I tell him, setting him down onto a chair. He grunts in reply, nodding in response.

I walk towards the front desk, letting the nurse know that Jason's nose may possibly be broken with a slight concussion. Surprisingly, she nods and motions for us to follow her. I help Jason to his feet before a nurse brings a wheelchair. I set him down and follow them past the double doors.

I glance around, biting my lower lip. I always hated hospitals. I never really did like the vibe of this place. It was meant to bring hope and life, but instead, it just brought death and misery.

"I'm going to place him into a room so that the next available nurse can check on him," the nurse says. I nod in response before my eyes catch a very familiar figure sitting on a hospital bed.

I clear my throat. I catch the number to his room before following the nurse. Once in the room, she sets Jason onto the bed and hooks him up to an IV to numb the pain.

At this moment, I didn't care about Jason. I didn't care about the main reason why I was here in the first place. All that mattered was the man in the other room, the man who was resting his eyes, the man who was in the hospital for whatever reason, the man who was right when he said I would fall in love with him.

Once I make sure Jason was okay, I tell him I was going to go to the bathroom. I leave his room and slowly walk to the other man's room. From the window, I see that he is staring at the television, looking miserable and sporting a faded yellow sweater.

It's now or never. Open the door.

With a heavy sigh, I slowly push the door open. When I look up to see him, I feel my heart leap out of my chest.

He was smiling.

"Jess…"

"Denny…"