The Hurting Kind

Unspoken Inspiration

Maya's heart longed for him still. 

Just as she was starting to think that she would be okay not being with Rick, he showed up and all the feelings that Maya had for him came rushing back. 

"Maya, are you okay?" 

Hearing Thomas' voice brought Maya back to the present, and she finally took her eyes off of the door to his office to look his way. Pressing her lips together, Maya answered, "Yes. I'm okay."

The lie left her lips smoothly, and before her eyes told Thomas and Caroline the truth, Maya smiled at the two of them softly before making her way to the door.

"If it is okay, I am going to leave for today. I'll see you both tomorrow for fittings?"

Maya almost didn't see Thomas nod as she yanked open the door and left.

                                                                                _____________

"You really had no idea that Rick would be here today?" Thomas asked Caroline, who quickly brought her hands up.

"I swear! I had no idea." she told him before adding with a smirk, "But with what the tabloids are saying about the two of you these days - I am not surprised."

Thomas let out a deep sigh before walking to sit at his desk.

"Rick does have reason to wonder, well, you know." Caroline let the suggestion linger in the air and looked on as Thomas rolled his eyes.

"Maya is great, but we are just friends." he told her.

Caroline strolled to the edge of Thomas' desk and sat down, making sure to stare into his eyes.

"Just friends?" she asked again, but this time her eyes were full of disbelief.

"Caroline..." Thomas warned.

Looking at her ex briefly, Caroline hopped off of the desk and pouted. "You're no fun! Besides, Maya and Rick are no longer together. So if you are interested, no one would blame you for making a move."

He looked up at Caroline again before picking up his sketchbook. 

"If you are done playing cupid, I have some edits to make for the final gowns that Steffy wants for Fashion Week."

Smiling, Caroline started to leave. Though just before she opened the door, Caroline took one last look at Thomas, this time with concern written all over her face.

"Thomas?"

"Yes?" He said as he continued to work on a sketch, not once looking her way.

"I have tried not to say anything, but you have been in Paris for years now. Will you ever consider dating again?"

That got Thomas to put down his sketch book and give Caroline his attention.

"You and I are friends, and I want you to be happy. So, I have to ask. Is Day-"

"Goodbye Caroline." he said, stopping her from asking him any more questions.

As the door to Thomas' office finally closed, he dropped the sketchbook and leaned back into his desk. All this time, he thought that Caroline hadn't noticed. 

But she did.

Thinking about what Caroline said before beginning to pry into his love life, Thomas picked up Maya's portfolio and looked at a few of the pictures. 

Would I like to pursue Maya...as more than a friend?

A wave of inspiration took over him, causing Thomas to flip to the last blank page of his sketchbook.