One morning, I was in a deep sleep, and the next thing I knew, I'm thrust off my bed.
I groan as I land on the floor with a thud.
"Son, what are you doing?" my step-dad, Nate, bellowed.
"Sleeping," I mumble, rubbing my eyes.
"Yeah, I can see that," he seethes.
I look up at him. "What's your problem?" I sneer.
I could feel the anger radiating off of him. "My problem?" he screams, his face reddening. "My problem is the fact that you are irresponsible!"
I look away, the shame starting to seep through me.
"That's it! You're done."
I look up in alarm, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, you've had your shot at running this business alone, like you asked, and you blew it," he says.
I look back down.
"I'm bringing in someone else.

~

"Aaron, meet Lucy, your new co-manager," Nate says.
Lucy smiled brightly. "Hi, Aaron! It's a pleasure to meet you."
I nod my head in response until I see Nate's stern glare.
"Yeah, you too."

~

"Listen, I know you might not like me very much, but we do have to work together. Can you at least try to be civil?" Lucy asks me a week after she started.
I was kind of shocked she brought it up. Most people ignore it.
"What do you mean?" I ask dumbly.
She looked at me. "You've been quite hostile. I can tell when I'm not liked," she mutters quietly.
"Look, it's not you, okay?" I start. That sounds so lame, but it's the truth.
Lucy doesn't say anything.
"I'll try, okay?"
She looks at me confused. She looks cute.
"I'll try to be your friend," I say sighing.
The smile that lights up her face makes me forget all the negative thoughts that have clouded my mind this past week.

~

I follow Lucy as she storms out of the building.
"Luce, wait up!" I huff.
"Why should I stop for a liar!" she spat out.
"What are you talking about?" I say, exasperated.
Lucy halts and turns to face me.
"You know very well what I'm talking about, Aaron Williams."
"Please, enlighten me."
"You led me on!" she screamed, her eyes wide and nostrils flaring.
I take a step back. "What are you talking about?"
"You have been so nice to me, doing stuff, and remembering little things about me. How do you think this has made me feel?"
I stare at her.
"It made me feel special! You made me feel special! Then I see you flirt with that new girl? It hurt, Aaron," she ranted, sobbing.
"Lucy-"
"No. I'm done," she says, turning away.
I grab her wrist, spinning her around to face me, and crash my lips against hers.
"I did all of that stuff on purpose," I said when we pulled away. "I wanted you to feel special because you are special."
She choked back a sob.
"I love you."
"I love you, too."

~

"May I present Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Williams in their first dance as husband and wife!" Nate said into the microphone.
All the guests cheer.
"M'lady," I say to Lucy, grinning.
She accepts my hand and we head out to the dance floor.
Eventually more couples joined us.
"I'm so glad you needed help managing the business, Mr. Williams," Lucy said in my ear.
"Me too. I wouldn't want anyone else, Mrs. Williams."