“What?” She asked, surprised, not recognising the voice at first.

  “I’m buying food, and I’m next in line. What do you want?” The voice rapidly told her.

  Chris squinted, still confused. “Sasha? Is that you?”

  “Of course, it’s me. If you don’t answer, you’re not getting anything. Oh, and ask the others, too. Quick, though.”

  “What is it?” Yue wondered.

  “What do you want to eat?” Chris could hear Sasha give his order. Aware that she wouldn’t get an answer for him quick enough, she decided to let the offer pass.

  “That’s okay; you don’t have to get anything for us.”

  “Whatever.” He told her, hanging up.

  Chris held the silent phone to her ear while she figured out what just happened.

  “He must be coming back.” Mark supplied. “I would’ve liked some food, though.”

  Chris slowly lowered her arm. “We can take a short break to eat.”

  Entering the room, Sasha was puzzled to find only a woman present. He was certain that he hadn’t been gone long, and it was most definitely the same day. Did the others give up? He hadn’t got the impression that they were quitters, and they didn’t know him well enough to care that he’d gone and search for him. So, what was the deal?

  “Where is everyone?” He finally asked.

  Chris turned around in her chair to face him.

  “Ah, you’re back. They went to get something to eat, then we can continue. I was just waiting for you to let you know, so I’ll get something now. We’ll reconvene in about thirty minutes. Is that okay?”

  Sasha’s grip on his bag tightened. “Sure. No problem.” He moved the bag behind his back, out of sight.

  “I’ll be back soon, then.” She swiftly stood up, grabbed her belongings, and then walked past him, waving lightly as she went.

  When enough time had passed, and he was certain she’d be out of earshot, Sasha questioned out loud.

  “They went to get something to eat? So, what about this?” He raised the bag and glared at it. He sighed. “It’s not good enough.”

  He lazily wandered towards the table. Taking his order from the bag, he put it down. Then, after approaching the bin, he let the food-filled bag sink to the bottom.

  “They won’t be needing it.” He continued to talk to himself.

  Isn’t the way into any man’s heart their stomach? If they wouldn’t be needing his food, how else was he to become their friend? The answer eluded him.

  He thought about it as he ate, but nothing came to mind.

  Having been home-schooled all his life, his ability to communicate and connect with others was lacking. And, with a father like his, it didn’t help any. Having had to teach himself most things, telling people that he taught himself guitar was something he was proud of, but he had no doubt that it meant nothing to Yue. The man probably had a bedroom wall lined with instruments that he had no intention of playing. He could have anything and everything he wanted. He could learn whatever he wanted. Instruments. Languages. Sports. He couldn’t give a damn about a lonely man’s achievements. Yet, Sasha wanted the chance to be his friend.

  Mark’s ability to talk about women and to women confounded Sasha. How was it so easy? Sasha wasn’t even sure he was talking to Chris correctly. Having lost his mother at age six, almost all of his contact with another person was with his father. A man. And not a very communicative one, at that. Chris’ actions made him feel that he was upsetting her. And quite frequently. Though, it looked to him that Mark upset her, too. Yet, Sasha wanted the chance to be his friend.

  It was clear that Lio had an objective, and making friends wasn’t part of that. There was something he needed to do, and he’d make sure it would happen. Joining the group appeared to be more for financial reasons than actual enjoyment. He wouldn’t waste time getting to know them. Yet, Sasha wanted the chance to be his friend.

  Chris needed this for financial reasons, too, and she probably didn’t have any time or energy to make friends. Yet, Sasha wanted the chance to be her friend.

  He didn’t want to let them down, these people he’d only just met.

  “We’re back!”