The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

I barely had time to reply before Eric groaned from the side. "You two are always so lovey-dovey. Have you ever thought about how I feel?"

I glanced at him. "You still don't have a girlfriend?"

Eric laughed out loud. "I'm with Mr. Huxham practically every day, working non-stop. Obviously, I have no time for a date."

I glanced over at Zane. "Once work slows down, maybe we should give him some time off to find a girlfriend."

Zane didn't argue. "Yeah, sounds good."

Eric thought about it for a second, then shook his head. "Nah, forget it. I'm all about making money right now."

Zane didn't ask why and simply said, "Having more money gives you that extra confidence, no matter what you're up to."

Eric showed a sheepish smile.

appointment with a psychiatrist. He sat in the office, staring at the psychiatrist, who was in the middle of eating. They made eye contact, and they both felt a little awkward. The

you to confirm it,"

meal. "Do you mind if

shook his head.

he set the lunchbox aside and asked, "So, what do you think the

anyone around him for help on this issue since they all kept saying he was in love

else thinks otherwise. Even Annalise doesn't seem to think I'm into her at all,"

understand the heart of Steven's issue. He handed Steven a set of questions

Steven finished, the psychiatrist asked him a few more questions before saying, "From what I can tell, it's not really a psychological problem. It's more like a distortion in how you're seeing

seem really hung up on your pride. Jessica was your first love, and she's still your friend. You want

not really about love. It's more about struggling to let go of the past and

for Annalise, she stuck by you from the beginning, through all the tough times, and you've gotten used to her being careful with money. Even now that you're doing well, all you can think about is how Jessica