Derek's chin lifts a little, something of a subconscious attempt to keep his head up. This is like Felicity all over again. He hadn't meant to put himself out there, but whether he'd meant to or not, he had with that kiss and he knows it because he remembers everything. A part of him kind of wishes he didn't.
This is a disturbing pattern, he thinks to himself. The worst kind of women are drawn to him when he's not looking, but the women who probably would be good to and for him — like Felicity, like Katniss; like Braeden — seem to realize belatedly that he's a mistake and they back away before it's too late and they get in too deep. They put the blame on themselves, but they back away all the same. He's really not sure why he's surprised this time, but he still manages to be.
She wants to back away, of course she does. That's fine, he tells himself. That's fine because the Alpha Complex is no place to start a relationship of that nature and she's honestly doing them both a favor, isn't she? Still, they work together. He can push her out of his mind in a few days like he mostly has Felicity, but they need to watch out for one another at work. Derek can separate the obligation from a friendship if that's what Katniss wants.
"Well, I already know you a little, so that's not really an option, but we can leave it as it is," he compromises. "Just co-workers. I can do that, if that's what you want. I just...you know, wanted to clear the air and find out where we stood and make sure we were on the same page so…" he shrugs. She's doing herself a bigger favor than she's doing him, he reminds himself. He really is a mess.
Derek clears his throat. "No hard feelings for my behavior, I hope. I wasn't really myself." He's talking about his kiss because she might've initiated it, but he took it and ran. That was probably unwelcome, in retrospect. This is his awkward attempt to apologize so that they can salvage at least a civil relationship while they're working in this service firm together.
no subject
This is a disturbing pattern, he thinks to himself. The worst kind of women are drawn to him when he's not looking, but the women who probably would be good to and for him — like Felicity, like Katniss; like Braeden — seem to realize belatedly that he's a mistake and they back away before it's too late and they get in too deep. They put the blame on themselves, but they back away all the same. He's really not sure why he's surprised this time, but he still manages to be.
She wants to back away, of course she does. That's fine, he tells himself. That's fine because the Alpha Complex is no place to start a relationship of that nature and she's honestly doing them both a favor, isn't she? Still, they work together. He can push her out of his mind in a few days like he mostly has Felicity, but they need to watch out for one another at work. Derek can separate the obligation from a friendship if that's what Katniss wants.
"Well, I already know you a little, so that's not really an option, but we can leave it as it is," he compromises. "Just co-workers. I can do that, if that's what you want. I just...you know, wanted to clear the air and find out where we stood and make sure we were on the same page so…" he shrugs. She's doing herself a bigger favor than she's doing him, he reminds himself. He really is a mess.
Derek clears his throat. "No hard feelings for my behavior, I hope. I wasn't really myself." He's talking about his kiss because she might've initiated it, but he took it and ran. That was probably unwelcome, in retrospect. This is his awkward attempt to apologize so that they can salvage at least a civil relationship while they're working in this service firm together.