“Sure, feel free.” She waved to the DVD shelf as she checked her watch. “I have to leave.” They both stood there. She was reluctant to leave. He didn’t say anything. She was tempted to ask Jake, Is anything going on between us? But now was not the time, not when Tim was waiting. Her phone beeped. Her Uber was at the door. “Goodbye.”

“Bye,” Jake said. “I’ll go back out the back door. I left my keys at home.”

She walked out. She felt like she’d see him standing where she left him if she turned back around.

The night air was chilly as she and Tim walked back to her apartment. Although they had put their work phones away, agreeing no emergency was likely to happen, they had only discussed work during dinner. She’d much rather have spent the evening with Jake. After the movie, Tim had suggested that they pick up Magnolia cupcakes and enjoy them at her house, since the movie theatre was so close to her apartment.

As they entered her apartment, Audrey saw light from under the living room door.

“That’s weird. I don’t recall leaving the light on,” she whispered. Jake could have left the light on, but what if he’d left the sliding door unlocked? She shivered.

“I don’t think an intruder would leave the light on.”

“Should I get an umbrella, just in case?”

“An umbrella? For what?” Tim asked.

“For bopping the guy on the head.”

“I took martial arts self-defense. I can defend us. Stay behind me.” He put out his arm and moved her behind him. They inched up the hallway. She was right behind him. It was odd, but this was the closest physically they had ever been. She could smell his aftershave.

“I think there’s someone in there,” she whispered.

“I don’t hear anything,” he said. They reached the door. Tim slowly turned the handle and pushed the door open.

The sight of the back of Jake’s tousled head with headphones watching a movie sprawled out on her couch greeted them. Biscuit barked. Jake looked up from the movie and pulled off his headphones. His beer was on the coffee table.

“Jake, what are you doing here?” she asked.

“My Blu-ray player is broken, so I didn’t think you’d mind if I used yours. And I thought I’d make a dent in your beer stockpile,” Jake said. He stood and walked over to Tim, introducing himself, holding out his hand. Shaking hands, Jake said, “I think we met briefly before.”

“Did we? Sorry, I don’t recall.” Tim shrugged.

Jake walked over to the kitchen, asking, “What’s your drink? Would you like a beer? Corona? Stella Artois? There’s quite a selection left over from the last party.”

“Umm, a Stella Artois,” Tim said, appearing flummoxed.

“Anything to eat? Chips? There’s even some amazing quiche in the freezer,” Jake said.