“Everything okay?” I asked as we stepped out into the windowless hallway lit by a row of fluorescent lights.

“Not really, no. Sorry, I’m going to have to rain check on lunch today.”

“Totally fine,” I said. “Go handle whatever you need to handle.”

“Thanks, Noah.” He held me in place with that infinite sea of blue. It felt almost as if he was about to say something else. Like he wanted to explain his situation further. I tried reading his thoughts, wondering what the hell rattled around inside that big (and admittedly handsome) head of his. Was it drama back at home? Maybe his girlfriend needed help with something, or maybe she was calling him home for an afternoon quickie.

Whatever it was, I figured I’d find out tomorrow when we bumped into each other. Jake reached out and gave me a friendly pat on my arm, the pat turning into more of a slide as he dropped his hand, his fingers grazing my elbow. He opened his mouth again, but no words came out. He pursed his lips and gave a wave before turning and walking toward the elevator bay, leaving me behind to watch as his perfectly perky bubble butt reminded me just how hungry I’d been.

Gah damn it.

I went to lunch by myself, eating my sandwich and sipping on my Cuban coffee and wondering how the hell I was going to stop myself from salivating over a man who’d never want me, at least not in the way I wanted him.

Whatever. I’ll just get drunk with the book club tonight and find someone to hook up with after. That should keep Jake off my mind.

* * *

“And you’re sure he’s straight?” Eric asked, opening the bag of chips and dumping them in the big red bowl. I squeezed between him and Tristan and opened my fridge, grabbing the queso and guac dips.

Clearly, I hadn’t stopped thinking about Jake, which was why I had accidentally let his name slip when the boys asked me why I looked so pensive.

“Maybe bi? Pan? I don’t know. I just know he had a picture of him and his girlfriend on his desk. Unless he has a sister that he kisses on the cheek in front of the Christmas tree.”

“Girlfriend or sister, neither options are really ideal for you if he’s kissing her like that,” Tristan helpfully noted.