“Acknowledging and being willing to try something different is a step in the right direction,” Patrick says kindly. “None of us think you’re an asshole, and if you said something in our talks that was inappropriate, we would call it out. But stopping off-handed comments like Noah mentioned is a good idea.”

“I never recognized how those words might make someone feel.” I hang my head, pinching the bridge of my nose. “It would probably be smart to put some distance between me and Emma.”

“I didn’t think you two were… What’s the romance trope the girls like?”

“Enemies-to-lovers,” Neil supplies, and Jack nods.

“Right. That. Don’t you two get along fairly well?”

I shrug. “Yeah, I guess. It’s hard to describe the dynamics of our office life. We don’t interact a whole lot. When we do, it’s strictly professional. There’s no sexual chemistry. There’s barely any friend chemistry. Is she a good-looking woman? Yeah, she is. But I don’t want to bang her over my desk or anything.”

“All the desk banging spaces have been taken by Jack and Jo,” Patrick says smugly, lightening the mood. Jack chokes on his drink.

“You fucker,” he mumbles. “I told you that in confidence. Joke all you want, but it’s hot as hell. Even better with windows.”

“Windows?” I repeat, grinning. “Lancaster has moves. That is hot.”

“Jo dubbed me as a stern brunch daddy once, whatever the fuck that is. She spends so much time on Instagram looking up book accounts, I’m terrified to learn what the nickname means.”

“She calls you daddy?!”

“Once. She whispered in my ear, ‘I want you to make me come, daddy,’ then burst out laughing. Like, full-on tears and wouldn’t stop giggling. I’ve learned that when the woman of your dreams wants to try something new in bed, whether that be positions, places, or names, you fucking listen. And then you laugh with her and vow to never do it again.”

“Wow,” I say, impressed. “Should I be taking notes? Is Jack really the best one out of all of us? When did I lose my groove?”

“Didn’t you hook up with someone last night?” Patrick asks and I smile fondly at the memory from twenty-four hours ago.

Yeah, I did hook up with someone last night. Brianna. I was so worked up from the conversation with my mom and Noah’s suggestion about hiring someone to take to the party, I needed to work out my frustrations. Lucky for me, the brunette was more than willing to help.