Page 39 of The Secret Mate Society

"You didn't," I said softly."It's just...complicated."

"Because of work?"

"Partly."I took a sip of coffee, buying myself time."And partly because I'm not sure I'm ready for...whatever this is."

Jake leaned closer, his voice dropping even lower."What if we took it slow?Started as friends, see where it goes?"

Friends.Right.Like I could be friends with someone who made my pulse race just by sitting next to me.We’d be friends all right, all the way to the bedroom.

"I'd like that," I heard myself saying, even as my phone buzzed with what I was sure was another text from Calder.

Jake's smile was radiant."Good.In that case, want to grab lunch?As friends, of course."

I glanced at my phone screen, confirming it was indeed Calder.My heart did that stupid fluttering thing it always did when I saw his name.

Can we talk?I need to explain about yesterday.

"Ethan?"Jake's voice brought me back to the present."Lunch?"

I looked up at him.This kind, protective man who wanted to take care of me, was looking at me so earnestly.Then I glanced back at my phone, at the message from the man who'd kissed me senseless then ran away scared.

The smart choice was obvious.

"Yeah," I said, tucking my phone into my pocket without responding to Calder's text.“Lunch would be okay I guess.”I paused, giving him a smirk.“But no talking about work, okay?”

That devastating smile of his widened.“Deal.”Jake grabbed his coat from the back of his chair."I know a place two blocks down.Great burgers, quiet enough we can actually hear each other talk."

"Lead the way," I said, standing up and grabbing my jacket.

As we walked through the newsroom, I felt the weight of my phone in my pocket, Calder's text message like a stone pressing against my thigh.I should respond, tell him I was busy, that I'd talk to him later.But something held me back.Maybe it was pride, maybe it was self-preservation.I wasn’t sure just yet.

Outside, the Portland air was crisp with the promise of another rainstorm.They seemed to be pretty frequent this time of year.Jake walked close beside me, his broad shoulders occasionally brushing against mine.He was talking about some local band he'd seen last weekend, but my mind kept drifting back to Calder's rain-soaked face, those light brown eyes darkening with desire just before he'd kissed me.

"You're a million miles away," Jake said, nudging me gently with his elbow.

I blinked, forcing myself back to the present."Sorry.Just...work stuff."

"I thought we agreed no work talk," he teased, that easy smile making his eyes crinkle at the corners.

"Right.Sorry."

We reached the restaurant, a cozy place with dark wood and soft lighting despite the early hour.Jake held the door for me, his hand settling briefly at the small of my back as I passed.The touch was casual, proprietary in a way that should have thrilled me.Instead, I felt a strange disconnection, like I was watching myself from outside my body.

The hostess led us to a booth in the corner, and Jake slid in across from me, those brown eyes never leaving my face.

"So," he said once we were settled, "tell me something about Ethan Murphy that isn't in his employee file."

I raised an eyebrow."You've been reading my file?"

"Maybe."His grin was sheepish but unapologetic."I like to know who I'm working with."

"That's a bit stalkerish, don't you think?"I meant it as a joke, but it came out sharper than intended.

Jake's smile faltered slightly."I didn't mean it like that.I just...I'm interested in you, Ethan.I want to know more."

The sincerity in his voice made my defensiveness waver.Here was this gorgeous man, practically begging to know me better, and all I could think about was someone who couldn't even decide if he wanted me.

"I'm sorry," I said, softening my tone."That was unfair.What do you want to know?"