Two hours later, dressed in comfy jeans and bundled up in our cozy coats, we head out of the brownstone and over to PDA Pizza, all the while indulging in a little PDA ourselves. Jack takes my hand the moment we reach street level, lacing our fingers together, his thumb rubbing my knuckles as we walk.

It’s weird.

Nice, of course. But weird. I wasn’t actually exaggerating when I told him my last boyfriend was in junior high. I don’t do relationships, I certainly don’t do living with boyfriends, and I sure as hell don’t do PDA. But the warmth of Jack’s palm pressed against mine, and the steady feel of his walking beside me—well. It does things. To my insides. They’re considerably warmer and squishier than ever before. And I like it. I like him.

Not even Jack’s hands are enough to distract me as we walk by the space for lease, still just a block away from the brownstone, still empty and waiting. I subconsciously drift closer to the brick building, my eyes roaming the window as if there might’ve been some change in the less than twenty-four hours since I last saw it.

Jack notices my distracted gaze and pulls us out of the way of foot traffic. “What’s this?”

I tug on his hand, not wanting to get into all of that while we’re on our way to dinner, but he doesn’t budge. “Nothing. Just a space for lease Gem noticed last night when we were walking home.”

He cups his hand against the smudged glass, leaning in to get a better look. “You didn’t mention it last night.”

“I was distracted for some reason.” I bump his hip with mine. “And it’s no big deal. Really, nothing to mention.”

“Have you been thinking about opening a storefront?” He pulls away from the glass, eyes searching mine.

“No.” I pretend to be casually looking through the window, but really I’m just avoiding his gaze. “I mean, it’d be a big step, and not one I can afford at the present moment. I don’t know if I’m ready for such a huge leap.”

“Did you look to see what they’re asking for rent?”

“Nah. No need.” I tug on his hand again. “Let’s go. All those orgasms made me hungry.”

But the man will not be deterred. He doesn’t even blush at my mention of multiple orgasms. Instead he takes out his phone, punching in the number listed on the sign.

“Jack, what are you doing?” Shifting my weight between my feet, I’m tempted to reach up and try to grab his phone from him. “I said I wasn’t interested.”