Alex is laughing his ass off while I die inside slowly. I try to force out a laugh. I can laugh at myself, it’s why I’m still somewhat functional, but really, I would rather cry.

Why is it so hard for me to talk to him without making a fool of myself?

“Oh, Jane.” He wipes his eyes. “I miss talking to you.”

My heart leaps in my chest before making a crash landing. He’s the one who asked for me to be removed from his team.

I liked Alex in a more than professional way, and I’m sure that’s why I was taken off of his team. He would never say so, of course. He’s too nice to tell me to my face how much I embarrassed myself.

My face burns even hotter.

It doesn’t matter. I have a boyfriend now. Mark. Even though we’ve never gone on an actual date, we’re sort of together—I mean, we’ve been sleeping together for the past two months, so we’re something. Definitely something. Even though I’m not sure I like Mark.

Ugh.

I kick thoughts of Mark away.

Alex smiles at me when the laughter dies down. “I won’t keep you. You have a pitch or something today, right? For the senior marketing job?”

“Oh, yes. And unfortunately, I’m late.”

“I’m sure you’ll do great.”

“Thanks, Alex. You’re a good friend.”

And that’s all he’ll ever be. Guys like him don’t go for women like me. Especially after I smeared what may or may not be excrement all over him.

His smile slips a little, or I imagine it does, because it’s just a second and then it’s as bright as ever. “Good luck.” He has dimples.

Ugh, so cute.

Washing up in the bathroom, I glance in the mirror and groan. I look like I went through a typhoon to get here. I can’t believe Alex saw me like this. I attempt to straighten my crazy hair and clean the mascara off my cheek.

And then I take one final, deep breath before picking up my briefcase and heading out the door.

Chapter Two

The limbic system is an extraordinary part of the human brain, especially when it comes to survival. It regulates heart rate, body temperature, and a myriad of other basic functions. But it also constantly scans the environment for possible threats. It’s important if you’re, say, walking through a jungle and you come across a hungry tiger crouching in the bushes waiting for its next meal. It gives you adrenaline, strength, and speed, and it helps you fight the threat or flee the danger.

But if I’m going to talk in front of a group of people, or interact with people at all, my limbic system becomes an inconvenient burden.