7 chapter 7

Derek came to pick Denise up around one thirty as promised. When he knocked on the door to her office, she was organizing the files in her cabinet to update the years. The last time she'd taken them out had been a year earlier. pulling kids files who had graduated the programs.

Derek entered her office upon reply, greeting her with a kiss. Denise smiled up at him.

"Ready to go?". He inquired.

She glanced into warm brown eyes " Yeah,let me get my wallet".

He shook his head, putting a hand over hers "let me get it".

" No, I have the money I can take care of things myself". She stated ,going for her desk drawer.

Derek stopped her" Why don't you let me do it?".

Denise sighed. Derek and her had been friends for almost a year now and he was pressing for her to go out with him. He did it so subtlety, that she, for the most part was never annoyed. Glancing into sincere eyes, she felt sympathy for the look of admiration in them. She hated that she couldn't his feelings. He was such a nice guy, it was unbelievable she'd told him no, because she'd never wanted him to think there was anything between them but friendship.

Quickly, he backed up this thought,by patting her hand saying "I understand we are only friends,I can handle that Denise. It'll just be lunch between friends, no expectations."

Denise exhaled a long thoughtful breath "Alright Derek, let's go to lunch".

As they pulled into the cafe, Denise opened the door and stepped out of the 2000 mini cooper. She closed the door behind her as he came and meet her around the front entrance. Derek grabbed the door for her as she entered the building " Thank you". she responded politely.

Derek smiled,"You're welcome".

As they entered the lobby area, a waitress extended them a welcome. "Table for two I presume?".

Denise nodded " yes please". They followed the waitress as she took them to a section of the restaurant. When they were seated, Denise looked up at him with a cordial smile" How are things going with you at work?".

"Pretty good, intelligent corp is thinking about hiring me on permanent". Denise nodded " that's good, have you thought any more as to whether you wanted to go for post graduate statues?"

Derek sighed and glanced down at his menu"Yeah, I think I will be doing my programs online, that way it'll make things easier".

Another smile and then "That's good, I hear that's the thing now, going to school online".

Denise watched as he shrugged" yeah, it beats being in a classroom any day ".

Her eyes went to his hair,dark brown curly hair, a deep mahogany brown complexion, a lightly trimmed mustache and no beard. She remembered he had deep set brown almost opal colored eyes, and nice eyebrows that at times were drawn to a uni brow. She thought him to be really handsome. He was slightly thin with a graceful build that was perfect for his five foot eleven inches frame. Sighing, she glanced back down at her menu.

" I didn't know you guys were here" The tone of Quinton's voice brought Denise head up from the menu. She looked up into bright hazel eyes "hey what are you doing here?". She greeted them.