“Listen,” I said. “If youreallywant to ask out this Sammy, I’ll go with you.”
Rafael perked up. “Really?”
I patted him on the shoulder. “Yes. I won’t watch or anything, but I’ll come to the café with you.”
Rafael smiled. “Thanks, Griffin. You’re the best.” He grinned. “And I’ll try not to be too disappointed if he shoots me down.”
“Good man,” I said.
As we finished off our drinks, I was ready to head out, but Rafael seemed like he wanted to say something.
“What’s up?” I asked him. “You’ve been acting cagey today. C’mon, no more secrets.”
He seemed to balk a little at that phrase. “Well, I was wondering what you were gonna do for Valentine’s. Saturday’s coming up pretty fast. Are we still gonna hang out, or do you have plans?”
“I don’t know,” I said lightly. “I was honestly thinking of calling Jake.”
His eyes glinted with secrecy. Rafael was always a bad liar. There was definitely something Rafael wasn’t telling me.
“What?” I demanded.
Rafael blinked. “Nothing. I was just thinking we could hang out instead. I mean, Ididask you first. And it’s not like you and Jake are actually dating, right?”
I hesitated before admitting, “No.”
For some reason, this seemed to relieve him. He grinned. “Great. Then alpha’s night it is?”
I shook my head. “We’re not dating, but it’s not…nothing.What Jake and I have is weird.”
Rafael made a face at me.
“Let me just call him first and ask, okay?” I asked. “If he says no, then we can absolutely hang out.”
“Fine,” he said before bottoming out his drink.
I gave Rafael a friendly pat on the back before finding a secluded corner of the pub to call Jake. The budding excitement in my stomach fizzled out when he didn’t pick up the phone. I paused, not knowing if I should call again, or if he was busy. I didn’t know his work schedule, so it was definitely possible he was working and couldn’t pick up.
Or he’s avoiding you,the dark part of my brain whispered.
To shut it up, I called again. To my pleasant surprise, Jake picked up this time.
“Hello?” he said, sounding a bit breathless.
“Hey, Jake,” I said. “Is this a good time?”
He paused. “Uh. Yes.”
He didn’t sound too sure, but I didn’t press him about it. “I know we have a vet appointment for Lilith on Sunday, but what are your plans for Saturday?”
“Valentine’s Day, you mean?” Jake asked hesitantly.
My excitement dwindled further. Was something on his mind? Or did he just reallynotwant to spend Valentine’s Day with me?
“Yes,” I confirmed. His lack of enthusiasm made me sure he was going to turn me down. “Listen, it’s totally fine if you have other plans,” I said in the gentlest tone I could muster. “I’m just writing my schedule, and - ”
“Yes,” Jake said.
I blinked. “Yes?”
