“Yeah, I am. I’ve always been weirdly drawn to her, and knowing she’s both Emma and RB only heightens the attraction. It’s strange. Emma would always take up my attention in person; I’d go out of my way to get her to notice me or acknowledge my presence. RB takes up my attention on my phone. Now the two are converging and I’m so confused.”

“And you still want to…”

“Jack, I’ve never wanted something so bad in my life and I’m going fucking insane.”

He whistles again. “Okay. Let’s brainstorm this.”

Before we can formulate a plan, the front door to his house opens and slams shut.

“Jack?” Jo, his girlfriend, calls his name down the hall.

Not only did I win the friend lottery with my guys, but their other halves are equally amazing, too. Jo’s no different, and I owe her everything in the world for saving Jack after his last relationship and bringing him back to the light. She’s incredible.

“Sorry,” he apologizes, standing from the table.

“No worries.”

“There you are. Oh, hey, Henry!” Jo says, greeting me with a smile.

“Hey, Jo. What’s up?”

“Everything okay with Abby?” Jack asks, frowning.

“The babysitter was queasy and Raul is still working so Abby rushed home in a panic. I’m going to hide so you two can talk about whatever dudes talk about. Please don’t break out any rulers.”

“Actually, let me get your opinion on something,” I interject. “A hypothetical, totally not true situation at all.”

“Okay…” she says slowly, climbing into Jack’s lap as he sits back in the chair. He wraps his arms around her and rests his chin on her shoulder, gazing at her adoringly like she hung the fucking moon.

I feel… lonely looking at them. Jealous. Isolated and introspective. Not because it’s Jo on his lap, but because he has someone to be affectionate with. The awareness spears me, roaring in my head and building to an almost deafening crescendo, wishing I had what they have. Wishing there was someone on my lap, folding into me, hugging me tight.

“Let’s pretend you need a date for an important function. You told someone you’re bringing a significant other, which is a lie, because you’re single as hell. Would you consider it weird to hire a person to be your date and pay them for their time?”

Jo laughs. “Of course not. You aren’t going to marry the person. It’s a favor. They’re helping you out. It’s not shady or illegal. Heck, it could even be fun.”

“What if it’s someone you have a long history with, you’re both competing to be partner at the same law firm, you may or may not be attracted to each other, and you talk about wanting to be physical with each other?”