As Jake took out a paper towel and sprayed the cleaner, I remembered something. I sprang to my feet and followed Skylar into the hall.
“Skylar, wait,” I said. “Do you mind if I ask you something?”
Skylar paused then blinked up at me. “Sure.”
“Wait. I’m so sorry. I realized I’ve never properly introduced myself,” I said, feeling foolish. “I’m Griffin, Jake’s - ”
A moment of dread at realizing I didn’t know how to describe my relationship with Jake was quickly dispelled by Skylar waving a hand.
“It’s okay,” he said with an understanding smile. “I get that it’s complicated, or something. You can just say his friend.”
“Yes.” I was deeply relieved by his kindness. “In any case, I’m sorry for my rudeness earlier.”
Skylar tilted his head. “What rudeness?”
“Well… I’m a guest in your home. I hadn’t initially meant to stay the night, but Jake insisted, so - ”
Skylar’s eyes widened and he sounded genuinely shocked when he said, “He did? Wow. Heneverdoes that.” He scratched his head. “I mean, he doesn’t really bring alphas over much in the first place, he usually keeps it out of the apartment, but… I don’t think he’s ever spent the night with anyone. I mean, not since - ”
Skylar stopped, realizing he’d said too much. He blushed. “Sorry, uh, I don’t think he wants me telling… that. Anyway, it’s totally fine. You seem like a nice guy, and Jake is pretty into you.”
Something fluttered in my chest. “He is?”
“Yeah.” Skylar smiled. “He’s been happy since that first night you guys spent together. I mean, don’t tell him I said that.” He rolled his eyes. “He likes his mysterious facade. But yeah. If youarejust using him for sex and break up with him soon, just let him down easily, okay?”
I shook my head. “Wait, I think you have the wrong idea. We’re not together.”
Skylar shot me a guarded look, like he wasn’t quite sure what to make of me and my intentions. “Okay, well. You spent two nights together and then helped him catch a stray cat,andbought a bunch of supplies for it.” He gestured to the bag by the front door. “Sorry if I got the wrong impression, but that’s what it seems like to me.”
I stared at him, unsure of what to think. If Skylar thought we were a couple, did Jake feel the same way? I remembered Rafael’s phone call, and how he probably had a similar idea in his head about Jake and I. But we weren’t dating. We were two men who liked each other’s company. That didn’t mean we wereina relationship.
“Sorry, but I have to get ready for work,” Skylar said, giving me a polite smile. “Er, wait, wasn’t there something you wanted to ask me? Can we walk and talk?”
Rafael is going to kill me if I keep forgetting to ask,I thought.
“Yes, sure,” I replied. “Basically, my friend wants to know if it’s faux-pas to ask one of the employees at the Omega Angel Café on a date.”
In his room, Skylar grabbed a comb and started brushing his hair. “An employee? Who?”
“Not you,” I said quickly. “I think his name was Sammy.”
“Oh. Hm… I don’t know him very well,” he said. “But I don’t really think there’s rulesagainstit, if a customer is the one asking out the employee, and not the other way around. Obviously, it’d be weird duringwork, but.” He shrugged and put a clip in his hair to keep the tufts out of his face. “I guess I don’t see why not?”
A weight was lifted off my shoulders, mostly from knowing I wouldn’t have to keep carrying Rafael’s burning question around with me any longer since I had an answer. “Great. Thank you.”
Skylar smiled. “You’re welcome. Now, er, I have to take my shirt off, if you’ll excuse me.”
I quickly hurried away as Skylar shut the door, and came face to face with Jake.
“What’re you two talking about?” he asked, narrowing his eyes. “And why was Skylar undressing in front of you?”
I balked. “He wasn’t. I was asking him something while he got ready for work.”
He shot a quick glare between the door and I, then conceded. “Fine.” He sniffed the air, almost like a dog, then uncrossed his arms. “Anyway, you still haven’t named the cat. It’syourresponsibility, remember?”
“Oh, right.”
His previous suspicion melted away as he suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the bedroom. “Also, I wanna show you something. Come here.”
