Derek

It is noon by the time Drayton, Logan, and Derek arrive at their destination. They enter their favorite restaurant called Gourmet Desires. The place has great atmosphere, design, and has the absolute best food in town.

Drayton, Logan, and Derek are greeted by a hostess of the name Katie. She recognizes them immediately from them being frequent regulars at Gourmet Desires.

Katie guides them to a booth table which happens to be located a few feet away from where Jace is sitting. After they are all settled into their seats Katie takes their orders and then leaves them to tend to other customers.

Drayton, Logan, and Derek discuss work while they wait for their food and drinks to arrive. After a few minutes Katie comes back with their meals.

"Here you go darlings!" Katie smiles and leaves them to enjoy their meals.

Drayton ordered the Cauliflower Bolognese. It contains: mushrooms, cauliflower, olive oil, butter, chopped onions, sliced garlic cloves, crushed red pepper flakes, chopped rosemary, tomato paste, salt, rigatoni, parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and lemon.

Logan ordered the Mushroom Asiago Chicken. It contains: boneless/skinless chicken breasts, mushrooms, garlic cloves, thyme, dry white whine, seasoned flour, butter, olive oil, heavy cream, shredded asiago cheese, salt, and pepper. 

Derek ordered the Shrimp Creole. It contains: minced garlic cloves, onions, chopped celery, red bell pepper, olive oil, chicken broth, canned tomatoes, bay leaf, ground cumin, salt, ground black pepper, shrimp, and rice. 

Derek takes a bite of his food and moans. Logan and Drayton follow in suit after having a bite of their own.

"Mmmm. I'm so glad we called and ordered our food ahead of time," Logan says before taking another bite of his delicious meal.

"Well said," Drayton agrees with Logan.

"Thank you guys. I'm already feeling a whole lot better than I was earlier," Derek states truthfully.

"Well, that is what best friends are for," Drayton says while finishing up his bite. Logan nods his head in agreement.

Part way through their meals, something catches Derek's attention. Well, more like someone.

As Derek lifts his fork to his mouth to take another bite of his mouth watering food, he pauses and puts it back onto his plate. Derek gapes at the most beautiful creature he has ever seen.

The man sitting a few feet away at a table by the wall sits alone. Derek watches as the man gives a small warm smile to Katie after she sets down his food.

The gorgeous man is currently digging into his food as Derek gapes at him from afar.

He is just perfect. He is more than perfect. This man is more handsome than anyone I have ever seen. He is much better looking than any man I have ever dreamed up from my own imagination.

"-rek? Derek?" says Drayton while Logan snaps his fingers in front of Derek's eyes. Derek snaps out of his trance of staring at the beautiful stranger.

"Hmm? What?" Derek asks focusing back on his two best friends.

"We called your name several times and you didn't answer," says Drayton as he finishes up his last few bites. Logan starts questioning Derek.

"What are you looking at? More specifically, who are you googling your eyes at?" Logan demands with a huge grin on his face.

Derek open and closes his mouth before answering Logan's question. "I don't know what your talking-"

"Yes, you do know. So, has our hopeless romantic finally found his prince charming?" Drayton asks raising his eyebrows.

Drayton and Logan have a stare down with Derek until Derek can't take it anymore.

"Fine, and I was not googling my eyes," Derek sighs and starts blushing. Drayton and Logan chuckle in response. "It is that guy over at that table," Derek says while he nods his head towards the direction of the handsome stranger.

Drayton and Logan glance over towards the table located a few feet away from them. They both do a double take and take in his gorgeous features.

"Wow" and "Damn, he is fine," says Drayton and Logan at the same time. They all continue to observe the man until he turns his head towards their way.

All three men quickly turn their heads away and pretend that they were in a deep conversation. The man goes back to enjoying his meal.

After everyone is done eating, Derek takes a peek at the gorgeous man. The man is filling out a check to pay for his meal.

"You know, you should go talk to him." Logan states. "I've never seen him here before so he must not be a regular. This may be your only chance. And maybe you will get his number."

Derek looks between his two friends and nods in agreement. While Drayton and Logan pay for the bill, Derek gets out of his seat and makes his way over to the where the handsome man is seated.

Just as the man was about to leave Derek stops him.

"Hi," Derek waits for a reply since he can't think of anything else to say.

"Um, hi?" the man says. Silence follows. After nothing is said, the man starts to walk away again, but Derek steps in front of him blocking his way.

"Wait! Don't go, at least not yet," Derek says and pauses before continuing. "Sorry, I don't do this too often. I was wondering if I could get your number?"

Derek waits patiently and nervously for the man's reply.

"Sorry, I'm not interested," the man replies in a heartless manner.

"What? Are, are you sure?" Derek says panicking. This is my only shot, and I think I blew it.

The man rolls his eyes starting to get irritated. "Yes, I'm sure! I said it the first time. I'm not as desperate as you may think I am," the man says sharply before proceeding to leave once again.

No! This can't be happening. I can't let him get away. I've been waiting for a moment like this.

And what did he mean by that?

Derek starts chasing after the beautiful stranger once again.

Jace

Jace hurries towards the front entrance as he is followed by the man that just spoke to him.

"Wait! Please, just give me one chance. You won't regret it," the man yells hurrying after Jace.

Jace makes his way out the front door and runs towards the first bus he sees. He gets on and hopes for the door to close quickly.

Just as the door closes, Jace sees the man from before. He looks very sad and heartbroken, standing only a few feet away, watching the bus drive off.

This is for the best. I don't need to get involved in a relationship right now. Who knows what type of person he is anyway. Right now, all I should be focusing on is getting a job.

CLICK ON STAR TO VOTE