Fated (A Chris Evans Series)

Rumors Hurt

Chris stood outside Denise's apartment door. In his hand were his letter for her, and a bouquet of her favorite flowers: red, long stem roses. His clammy fist hovered over her birch door, mentally unable to bring himself to knock. He was nervous, the reason being May's upcoming arrival.

May was the month Chris was set to depart from Los Angeles for nine whole months. There were a few major holidays that brought him back home for a week or two, but he was scheduled to be predominantly gone for the next nine months. He had a few projects to film in different parts of the world: 'Avengers: Infinity War' shooting locations were split between Georgia, Edinburg, England, and New York City; as for 'Red Sea Diving Resort', it was set to be filmed in various parts of South Africa. Chris was excited about both projects, but he wasn't excited about leaving for nine months. Not only did he have to be away from Dodger, he was going to be away from Denise too. The fact that they'd spent time together every day for the last sixty-five days should've been enough of an exemplary to depict how much of a struggle it was going to be for both of them.

For two people who claimed they weren't dating, they did a lot of things couples did. They'd meet for meals, go out to the movies, take Dodger for walks, go for short road trips, and organize little picnics or bake days. They spent ample time together, and it didn't end with organized activities and scheduled outings. Denise would accompany Chris when he had to go work out at his gym, or she'd help him with his lines for his upcoming projects- minus 'Avengers: Infinity War' because that was confidential and she didn't want any spoilers. Chris would sit with Denise while she studied at her university's library, or simply hang out at her workplace when she was rostered for late night shifts so she wouldn't be alone and he could drive her home. More often than not Chris was the one who completed errands for the apartment with Denise, rather than Luca- who really should've been the one who helped sort the bills, complete the grocery shopping, and take the trips to IKEA as she lived in said apartment.

Other than not having the romantic benefits of an actual couple, they were a couple. It was bewildering to many why they wouldn't just have the talk and become an official couple. The evolution of their feelings towards each other were highly noticeable, and Luca- who was around the two of them the most- was sick of seeing them as just friends. It finally got to a point where Luca sat Denise down and forced her to listen to the solid points she'd consolidated, points she had no doubt her best friend would relentlessly argue with. It was a dance. They'd been friends for so long it was hard not to be able to predict each other's actions.

"I love the both of you but you two are being absolutely insufferable right now." Luca told Denise, and she sighed because she already knew how insufferable she and Chris were being. "Honestly, Denise. He likes you and you like him, why are you making it more complicated than it has to be? Just grab that man and kiss him already."

"It is not that simple, Luca."

"How is it not that simple?" Luca pressed with a frown. "Do you not see the way Chris looks at you? It is so obvious he likes and wants to be with you. Trust me on this, go pursue that relationship. This is the dream, Denise. You are going to be dating Christopher Robert Evans! That's always been the dream, your dream."

"Exactly," Denise argued and Luca frowned, confused by the comment. "I'm just a fan," Denise elaborated before Luca could ask her to. "What if I'm not with him for the right reasons? What if I'm not good enough for him? I'm just a fan, Luca," Denise repeated with a soft sigh. "I am nobody compared to him."

"Denise," Luca chuckled as she took Denise's hands in hers; she'd both expected, and was stunned by Denise's concerns. "You and I- we've known each other since kindergarten. I'm your best friend, I'm like your sister. I know you better than anyone else, do you agree with that statement?" Luca quizzed and earned a nod from Denise. "Okay, so you're going to listen to me when I say this."