The Write Match // Bill Hader

Three

"He was asking about you after you went to your seat, asking about how you were and stuff." She tells me, and I catch myself smiling just the slightest. At least I know I've got his attention, even though I don't want it, it is flattering.

"Why?" I ask.

"Well, I heard John telling him that you're a tough case, and that you'll stop being so cold towards him with time. I guess he was trying to speed up the process." She tells me. "Why are you so cold towards him?" She asks

"It's not him, it's just men in general, and he's a celebrity, not my crowd. I know once I leave this job, he'll forget me no matter if we're close or not. He's got a bigger life than I ever will and he's just not someone who keeps people like me around." I tell her truthfully.

"You realize he's been working with Seth for years now, right?" She asks and I shake my head.

"It's different-" I start, and she cuts me off.

"Meredith, there are plenty of writers at the show and he keeps coming back to you with his ideas. It's not different." She tells me and I set my empty glass back down on the bar.

"Well, the only thing I care about right now is my drink, so please excuse me." I step away from the conversation with Kristen and order another drink. I stay at the bar, chatting with John and Seth, and with a little time I'm starting to feel the effects. I'm sitting at the table alone, putting my last glass down but I hear a familiar voice, a voice that I've heard nonstop for the past couple months.

"I'm surprised you came tonight." Bill says and I put on a fake smile. Everyone else was on the dance floor and I didn't feel like I could stand long enough to dance, leaving Bill and I sitting at the table alone.

"What happened to staying home with your bottle of wine and episodes of true crime shows?" Bill asks, and I can smell the alcohol on his breath.

"Well, I wanted to go out, but I just didn't want to give you the pleasure of getting me to do something you asked me to do." I say.

"Meredith," He stops. "Who do you think is paying for everything tonight?" He asks, and I groan. Of course, he's paying, why else would John be encouraging me to get more.

"I'm sorry. The tab may be racked just a bit and I may be at fault for that." I tell him truthfully and he laughs.

"As long as you're having fun, I don't care." He tells me and I roll my eyes, the smirk playing on his lips.

"I was having fun." I say before thinking about my words.

"You were? So, you're not anymore?" He looks down at me and I glare at him, pouting just the slightest. He looks down to my lips, slightly leaning in. I notice his glance, my stomach twists, but I push on.

"Was... meaning things were great before John and Kristen got me drunk off my ass and left me here with you." He puts hand on his chest in offense.

"I'm sorry, but I'd like to point out that I'm the one who stayed with you while they went to dance." He tells me, and I shake my head.

"No, I wanted John to stay with me, because he's not attractive. Well, I mean he is, but not the kind of attractive I would take home with me, he's just nice to look at attractive." I say, and the silence between us gives me a chance to think about what I just said. I face palm and look down at the floor, "I'm just going to be quiet." I say, and I catch a glimpse of the cocky grin on his face. "Get that damn look off of your face." I say, making it only grow. "What are you smiling for? I said you're attractive, so what... don't act like you didn't already know." I say, letting my hands fall on the table.