“What if I came with you on Thursday and then took an early train home Saturday morning? Then I’d only miss one bar shift, and I could still get deliveries done. Gemma and Harley will cover any for Friday. Honestly, I don’t even know why I’m framing all this as if it were a question. I’m coming, and I’ll figure shit out on my end. So don’t worry about that.” I suck in a breath. “Unless you totally don’t want me there and are just trying to be polite, in which case I’ll obviously not intrude, because that’d be a lot even for me.”

A zing of tension buzzes between us and for a second, I think he might lean over and kiss me. I’m pretty sure I stop breathing altogether.

But Jack doesn’t lean in, only offers me a tiny grateful smile. “I’d really appreciate having you there with me. If you can make it work.”

“Um, hello, just call me Tim Gunn. Making it work is my middle name.” The alarm on my phone beeps. “Speaking of working, I’ve got to get back to it.”

Jack releases my hand and I miss his calming touch the second it’s gone. “Thanks, Sade.”

“Of course. What are roommates for?” I shove my phone in the back pocket of my jeans. “You heading home or sticking around? I’m not off for a couple of hours.”

He picks up his book again, flipping open the pages to his marked spot. “I’ll hang out if you don’t mind. I feel better when I can walk you home.” He’s not looking at me as he says this, eyes already scanning the words in front of him.

Which is good, because it might be the nicest thing a man has ever said to me and it takes just one breath before I realize (A) the men in my life have totally sucked, and (B) I have a super-big thing for my roommate.

Fuck.

“Okay, so the middle shelf of the fridge is the deliveries for Friday. Each one is labeled with a name and address. There are only four so it shouldn’t be too hard.” I turn the FaceTime screen away from the fridge and onto me. “You guys are the best and I love you so much.”

Harley waves her hand in her Oh, stop it, you motion. “Happy to help.”

Gemma jumps up behind her into the frame. “You can repay us with all the hot goss you’re going to have about Jack when you get back.” When she makes kissy faces at me, I know she has truly absorbed the full energy of her students and there’s no more hope for her.