{Kayla}

“My apartment building was condemned.” Because of me. I leave that part out as I continue to explain my dilemma to my boss. “I had nowhere else to go.”

“I thought he lived next to you.” Alfonse isn’t buying any of it.

“He had nowhere else to go, either.”

“Of course,” he agrees with a quick nod.

I sigh, hating he doesn’t have the full story. Why would I cover for Jake and his friends, and make myself look bad? “Anyway, he went and told his friends and now they’re talking about it.”

“So?”

“It’s mortifying.”

After setting their orders on the shelf, he pulls the ticket and gives me a nod. I take my cue and grab the plates. “Have dem eat der words, not da food you order for dem. Okay?”

“Okay.” I hurry away before Alfonse says anything else to make me feel even worse and deliver the food to the table. “Three specials.” I place the correct plates in front of each person. “Anything else?”

“Yeah,” Jake speaks up and I stiffen, ready for whatever he’s about to do to insult me in front of his friends. Instead, he slides out of the booth and pulls me away from everyone else. When he nails me with that intense dark gaze, I’m sure my gaze is just as intense. “I’m sorry about that.”

“Yeah, about that. What the hell, Jake? You were awesome at the counter with Ian. Now you’re just being a douche. Guys aren’t supposed to gossip about their sex life. Or was this more like bragging?”

“Baby, I had no idea they were going to act like that. If it helps, I plan to personally kick both of their asses later.” When he rests his palm against my cheek, I can’t stop myself from leaning into his touch.

Abruptly, I snap out of yet another Jake-induced trance. I hate how fast he gets me thinking of nothing but him touching me, arousing me, tempting me. Among other things. “Don’t call me baby.” I can’t believe that’s the only comeback I have. How lame.

The curl of his lips sends my nerves humming. “You liked it this morning.”

“That’s when you were inside me.”

“Got it.” He winks and I forget how to breathe. “I’ll only call you baby when I’m inside you.” Before I recover, he’s back at his table and digging into his breakfast. The bells on the front door clang and distract me. It’s Emma and just as I feared, she’s brought Britt. As soon as they both catch my gaze, they nod at the counter before sitting.

I sigh as I head over. This is not going to end well, especially now that they both spotted Jake.

“Friendervention,” Britt announces. “Right the fuck now.”

“I have tables,” I defend. Besides, I’d let Emma talk to me like that and definitely my group of friends, but I’m not there with Britt. I may never be. She talks down to people and is an even bigger player than Jake.

“We’ll be quick,” Emma says. “We have a Java class to get to.”

I took that class and hated every minute of it thanks to the TA, Nancy. What a bitch. “Okay, but if you’re here to make me regret what happened, you’re too late.”

Emma takes a breath, but it’s Britt who moves in, a crazy and somewhat scary spark in her eyes. “Did Jake do something? Did he say something? If he did, I’ll junk punch him.”

Very scary.

“That’s not necessary, but thanks for the offer.”

“I’m not kidding.”

I’m sure she’s not, and that only adds to that scary look. Britt has a dark side that rivals Ciara’s. I regard Emma. “It’s nothing.”

“For as long as I’ve known you,” Emma says. “Nothing isn’t really nothing. What happened?”

“We sort of…” I can’t go on and admit to how stupid I’ve been. I can’t be this reckless and unfocused, not if I expect to make something of my life once I graduate. The thought of working at an entry-level position for the rest of my life has me close to a panic attack. I should be out looking for a better job, not consumed by angst over my roommate.

“They live together now,” Britt points out.

“I already know,” Emma fires back. “Ryan told me.”

Britt and I ask at the same time, “How’d Ryan know?”

“Jake told him.”

“Since when do those two talk? It’s not like they hang out in the same circles.”

Her eyes widen before she grabs her phone and checks the time. “We only have a few minutes. Friendervention, remember?”

Britt nods once. I’m not as satisfied with that diversion and make a mental note to talk to Jake later. If he and Ryan are good enough friends to discuss living arrangements all the sudden, I want to know why.

Britt starts in. “Knowing Jake, since they’re living together, that means they banged this morning before work. He can be very persuasive.”

“Did he tell you, too?” I’m ready to cry. Is there anyone he hasn’t told?

She shakes her head. “It’s what I’d do if I lived with someone I’ve already slept with.” She shrugs when Emma and I both stare. “What? There’s no awkward first time seeing each other naked, or whether he can get you off, or anything like that. All the weirdness is gone.”

Not even close. Every time I see Jake, it’s weird. I never know which Jake I’m going to get. For some reason, I feel the need to explain the situation. “It’s a two-bedroom. We’re only living together out of necessity. There’s nothing going on.”

Britt darts her gaze over to the corner where Jake is sitting with his friends. “If I go over there and ask him the same question, he’ll give me the same answer?”

Dear God, I hope so. “It’s the truth.”

“Okay.” Britt slides off her stool and makes a beeline for his table. My heart sinks. No one has ever called me on anything like that before.

Emma grabs my hands and pulls my attention to her. “Are you seriously okay?”

“I’m fine.” Despite my heart racing like a hummingbird on meth. “It’s just until graduation.”

“What are you going to do after that?”

Great. As if the topic of Jake Swanson doesn’t have my heart in palpitations, why not talk about the only other thing that would give me a stroke? Emma has an uncanny talent to ask me the one question I don’t want to face, let alone answer. “I’ll figure something out.”

“Until then?”

“It’s only three weeks.” As casually as possible I drift my gaze to Jake. Britt is laying into him. I can’t hear what she’s saying, but judging by the way he keeps wincing like her words are physically smacking him, it’s not good. Sean and Eli have already moved to another table, leaving Jake alone with Britt.

“If you ask me, you should make the most of it.”

I jerk my attention to Emma. “Doing what, exactly?”

“Him.” She nods in Jake’s direction. When I take a breath to protest, she puts up a hand. “Just hear me out. We both know he’s not husband material or even long-term boyfriend material. Have a little fun, Kayla. I’m only a sophomore and already have more college experiences to be ashamed of than you. Why not say good-bye to BU with a bang? Like, literally.”

“I thought you hated him.”

“I’m not the one living with him. Or already banging him. Don’t look at me like that. I know you. You looked exactly like this when you had sex with him for the first time over Christmas break.” She lifts her gaze to the ceiling as if the grease-stained paint holds all the answers. “Then when you had sex with him again and came to work with this awesome glow.” She returns her attention to me and grins. “You’re glowing now, which answers my question I texted you. Good for you.”

“Uh, thanks?”

“You’re welcome. Hey, at least you’re getting some regular action. Let’s hope you create a few good stories to tell me later.”

“You sound like the girls. They all made Jake promise to grant me three wishes or something. I can’t know what they are. He refuses to give me any details, but I’m going to break him down.”

“I’ll bet,” she replies and stands.

“I’m only getting the details so I can stop them before they happen. Three wishes? Are they serious? It’s not like he’s a genie.” I use Jake’s words. They fit.

“He’s definitely dreamy, despite being a total tool. Get what I just did there? Remember that old show?”

“I get it.” I roll my eyes at her attempt to be funny. She always references TV shows and movies. I grab the coffee and face Jake’s table. I really want to know what Britt is saying to him. “I have to get back to work.”

Emma follows. “And we have class. Hey, Britt? Are you ready?”

Britt brings up her finger, her back to us as she continues her rant on Jake. “One sec. Now, is there anything you’d like to say to Kayla?”

He lifts his gaze to me and holds it there as he stands. “What’s your favorite dish?”

Aside from the one I’m looking at? “I’m a sucker for a good enchilada.”

“I’ll make you an enchilada you’ll never forget.” He leans in and whispers for my ears only. “Baby.” He follows it up with a quick kiss to my cheek. “See you tonight.”

“Jake!” Britt is beet red and stomps her foot.

He laughs and drops money on the table to pay for his meal. “Butt out, Britt. It’s none of your business. We’re just two friends enjoying a little benefit with no strings. FTFs, right Kayla?” I don’t like the way he eyes me after that statement, like he’s trying to prove me wrong. Or maybe right. “I’ve got to get to the firehouse. Thanks for breakfast.”

And, with that, he walks out of the diner without so much as a look back.