Tobias elbows him. “It’s your turn to express your dissatisfaction, mate.”

“I have a better idea,” Banks returns evenly. “Let’s take a walk, Elise.”

He suggests the walk in a low, sort of promissory tone that makes my skin tingle. Like he’s not suggesting a walk at all, but a continuation of last night. “I’m fine right here, thank you. But you’re more than welcome to take a stroll.”

The three of them bristle.

Tobias even throws up his hands and starts to pace.

“Are you three really this angry because I didn’t say goodbye?”

“That’s part of it,” Banks says. “Mainly, you’re treating this like it was a one-night thing. We don’t know where we stand with you. We know next to nothing about you, either, Elise.” He pauses. “But don’t you think that what’s happening between us deserves more than a six am sneak out?”

“You didn’t even leave a note,” Gabe points out, visibly scandalized.

My stomach twists. “I’m sorry, Gabe.”

“I’m sorry, Gabe?” Tobias echoes, incredulous. “Just a sorry for Gabe, is it?”

“Tobias, I’m not going to talk to you when you’re being hysterical.”

His bristly jaw nearly hits the sidewalk.

Someone clears their throat behind me in the building entrance. I glance over my shoulder to see that Shayna is watching the proceedings with nothing short of astonishment. I start to introduce her, but the words get stuck in my throat. That feels like a huge step. Introducing Tobias, Gabe and Banks to my roommate. That’s a relationship move. I’ve already attempted to be more forthcoming with Shayna this morning. My evolution is officially taking place too quickly.

All four of them watch me struggle with various forms of curiosity and exasperation, before Shayna finally steps around me, holding out her hand. “Hi, I’m Shayna. Elise’s roommate.”

Tobias transforms in a split-second from scorned lover to charming devil. “Hello, Shayna.” He captures her hand and brings it to his mouth, kissing her knuckles. “My reputation precedes me, I see.”

Shayna chokes.

He smiles broadly. “You’re staring at my zipper, dear.”

My roommate snatches her hand back, laughing nervously. “Oh God. Sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he responds smoothly, giving me a pointed look. “At least someone is interested in this award-winning co—”

“Now is not the time, Tobias,” Banks interrupts, sharply. Quickly, he shakes Shayna’s hand. Gabe does the same, grunting. “Elise, we’d like ten minutes of your time.”

“That seems reasonable,” Shayna whispers, sounding as if she’s in a trance, her eyes skipping around from man to man. To man. “Isn’t that reasonable, Elise?”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to say no. The reason I left before they woke up this morning was to avoid this conversation. The one where we put labels on whatever this is. The serious talk where we make this an ongoing thing. I knew it was coming. They weren’t happy with just one night. I’m not, either, but I’m terrified of what happens after six nights. Or ten. When I’ve let them see me at my most vulnerable and we’ve traded secrets, then suddenly, it ends. I’ve never had a relationship, friendly or romantic, with anyone that didn’t come to an abrupt stop and I’ve managed to avoid that pain successfully for a long time.