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most of the time. He'd also left earlier than usual, without asking him on a date, and breaking Derrick's heart as a result.
    And he'd stayed far away.  
    Derrick had been trying to understand what the hell had happened ever since, but the only explanation that made sense was, in the end, Roman Bradford had changed his mind about getting involved with him.  
    He obviously wasn't as interested in hooking up as Derrick had been. Not even a week after Roman pulled away, Derrick had heard big boss Bradford was dating some Broadway twink. Allegedly they'd even gone on an extended vacation together, which sucked hairy balls and smelly dick.
    "There's nothing to figure out," he mumbled, trying to forget how terrible it'd been thinking about Roman trotting around the world with another guy.
    "You're not letting him get away without hitting on him."  
    "I most certainly am," he confirmed after finishing his drink.
    Tashana's forehead creased. "But… why ?"
    Derrick shrugged, forcing himself to smile at his friend. He knew he could trust Tashana. She wouldn't tell anyone what hadn't quite transpired a year ago between him and the boss, but he preferred to keep the events all to himself.
    "I'm not into him anymore," he said under his breath.  
    Tashana snorted. "You're such a liar."
    "Even if I were interested, it wouldn't change a thing."
    "How do you figure?"
    " He is not interested in me." It hurt to admit it out loud, but Derrick made sure his facial expression didn't give his thoughts and feelings away.  
    "There's no way he isn't interested in you." Tashana let her brown gaze slide all over Derrick's tall and lanky frame, taking her sweet time to appraise his light brown hair, almond-shaped golden eyes, caramel-toned skin, straight nose, and the defined Cupid's bow on top of his full lips. "Nah... There's no way he's not interested. Look at you. That mixed heritage of yours is genetic gold, boo. You're an exotic bird." She shook her head. "Besides, I saw him looking at your ass at the company picnic a few months ago. I told you that."
    Several times, but Derrick refused to get his hopes up.
    "Do you really think he's leaving?" he asked quietly.
    "I hope he isn't, to tell you the truth," she answered in a more serious tone. "Those three guys together make one hell of a team, and ABC wouldn't be the same. But if the rumors are true and he is leaving? Don't waste your time, honey. Track that hottie down and get yours. The Lord knows you've waited long enough."

Chapter Three

    " Events will take their course, it is no good of being angry at them; he is happiest who wisely turns them to the best account."
    Euripides
    Roman read the quote on his computer monitor three times before saying it out loud. A silly thing to do, but he had promised his mother that he would, and even if she wasn't around to know better, he didn't want to let her down.
    Motivational and inspirational quotes sent by his mother hit Roman's inbox every day at exactly nine o'clock in the morning. It was her attempt to get him in a positive frame of mind. Her loving and caring and not-so-subtle way of telling him it was time to call the pity party over and get on with his life. It hardly ever worked, but he appreciated her efforts nevertheless. If it weren't for the love and support of his family and close friends, Roman would have lost his mind a long time ago.
    "Events will take their course. It is no good of being angry at them… he is happiest who wisely turns them to best account… yeah… right… Good one, Mom. Too bad it's easier said than done."
    Not that he was still angry over the events that had changed his life. He'd had almost a year to accept and learn to live with them, so he was fine. But it was difficult to make the best out of his situation when he was still hung up on an impossible dream. Sometimes it felt as if he was destined to spend the rest of his life pining for a man he couldn't have.  
    He didn't want to think about what could have