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“Harry Potter,” Andi said, giving her a look that said she was disappointed Hollyn hadn’t immediately caught the reference. “There’s that line about the fear of saying the name making the fear of the thing worse. You two Voldemorted the sexual tension between you. You took the power out of it. Like,hey, we both have pants feelings for each other. Let’s stop pretending we don’t and deal with it so we can stop being so freaked out about it.”
Hollyn smirked. “Oh, the pants feelings are still pretty powerful. At least on my side.”
Andi laughed. “You know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I think you’re right, because it was like all of a sudden, I wasn’t so nervous to be around him anymore. The playing field was leveled.”
“Leveled?” Andi gave her a knowing grin. “I don’t know. You sure you’re not feeling a nice dose of feminine power right now? He wants you and ishaving to resistall that sexy, smart energy you’re putting out.You’re holding the cards.”
Hollyn scoffed and lifted her hands, showing her palms. “I’m holding no cards. Did you miss the part about him not wanting to date anyone right now? The poker game has already ended. There will be no more kissing.” She resisted glancing over at Jasper again. “But I’m glad it happened. I feel like I can actually get some use out of these lessons now without being locked up with all that anxiety. I obsess about what people are thinking of me. That’s part of what makes it so hard to talk. But now I know what Jasper thinks, and I can trust that if I ask, he’ll tell me. That’s a game-changer.”
Andi’s eyes narrowed. “Come on. You’re not feeling just alittlepowerful?”
Hollyn laughed and gave into the urge, looking over at Jasper again. “Okay, maybe a little.”
Andi beamed. “Good. Make that boypine, girl.” She made air quotes with her fingers. “‘Would only be using you for sex.’” She made a derisive sound. “What a dude thing to say. He didn’t even consider thatyoumay only want to usehimfor that, too. Like men have cornered the market on that.”
“I—” But Hollyn’s voice cut off when Andi’s words registered.
“Hmm?” Andi asked, looking at Hollyn over the rim of her coffee cup.
Hollyn gave Jasper a long look, watching as he leaned onto the counter, bicep flexing, hair falling across his forehead. Warmth tracked over her, settling low. “Nothing.”
“So when’s your next lesson?”
Hollyn dragged her attention back to her friend. “Tonight.”
“Nice. What are y’all working on?”
“I’m not sure.” An idea flitted through Hollyn’s head. A dangerous one. “But I may have some suggestions.”
* * *
“We having a party or are you just really hungry?” Fitz asked, eyeing Jasper as he stepped into the kitchen.
“I have a friend coming over tonight from WorkAround,” Jasper said, dropping three large pizza boxes onto the kitchen island. “But I got enough for you, if you want any.”
“Thanks. Who’s coming?”
The scent of the pizza made Jasper’s stomach rumble. “You might know her. Hollyn, the woman with the curly blond hair who works on the second floor?”
Fitz pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge and turned toward Jasper. “I don’t know her personally, but I’ve seen her around. Hot date? Need me to be scarce?”
Jasper rubbed the back of his neck. “Not a date. I’m giving her some private improv lessons.”
Fitz gave him a sly smile. “Private lessons, huh?”
“Don’t give me that look. It’s not like that.” Though, it sort of was last night. “But we’re going to be using the living room and she’s…shy. Hence the private lessons. So…”
Fitz took a long gulp of water and then gave him a salesman smile. “Don’t overwhelm her with my sparkling personality and good looks?”
Jasper pointed at him. “Bingo. Part of the reason she’s doing these lessons is because being in front of people makes her nervous, so I don’t want her to feel like she has an audience tonight. She’s not ready for that.”
Fitz lifted the lid on one of the pizza boxes and grabbed a slice. “No worries. I’ll say hi and get out of your way.”
Jasper braced his hands on the counter, frowning. “Thanks, man. I feel shitty asking. This isn’t my place and—”
“Jas, shut up,” Fitz said and took a bite of pizza. “Stop acting like I’m giving you charity. You’re paying your way here with the piece of your future business. Take the living room. It’s yours to use.” He lifted a brow. “Just don’t screw on the couch. I don’t need to walk in and be traumatized by your bare ass on my new furniture.”
