“No, we don’t know. A little what? Hot? Mouthwatering?”
His words made me want to squirm. “Dirty,” I murmured. “Or maybe messy?”
“Fucking hell,” Sean muttered.
“You look tired,” Jack said. His hand brushed over my hair. “Want me to make you some coffee? I’d offer to let you sleep here, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”
I forced my eyes open. “No, I can’t do that. It’s against the rules we came up with. No overnights.”
“Makes sense. Who’d be able to cuddle up against you and then let you go again in the morning?” Sean smiled at me.
Heat tingled in my stomach.
Jack pushed up from the couch. “I’ll make you some coffee. How do you like it?”
“I can do black. But not too much or I’ll have trouble sleeping.” I yawned as I pushed myself up straighter. He’d left behind my phone, and I picked it up. He’d accepted three more matches besides the first one. “I usually do only one at a time!” I called toward the kitchen.
“That’s a mistake,” Sean said. “Let them pursue you. You deserve the attention.”
I shook my head, but I didn’t undo any of the connections. I checked my messages before letting it go dark, but there wasn’t anything from Neil.
“I’m surprised the boyfriend isn’t calling with it being so late,” Sean said, as if reading my mind. “I mean, especially after what happened last week. Wasn’t he worried about you going out alone?”
I bit my lip, looking away to see Jack entering with my coffee. “I didn’t tell him about last week.”
Jack froze in the act of handing me the coffee. “You didn’t tell him?”
I shrugged, staring down at my knees. “He was already asleep when I got home. And then, in the morning, it was too hard to admit when—” I swallowed. I hadn’t wanted to tell him about my most recent failure when his own body count was steadily rising.
Jack pushed the coffee cup into my hands. “Here. Drink up.”
It was only half-full. I drained it, hoping it’d help for the drive home. Not that I lived too far. That was another reason I had picked The Muse; it was convenient.
Jack settled in beside me, though he was closer this time, his leg brushing against mine. “You should tell Neil what happened. You’ve been together for a long time. If you can’t tell him something like that, then something is really wrong, something the hall passes won’t fix, if it ever would have.”
I met his eyes, seeing the concern there.
“You’re right. That’s on me, and I should fix it.” For the last few weeks, it had felt like Neil and I were on opposite sides of a fence, and the fence kept getting higher.
I pushed to my feet. “I should head home.”
Sean rose with me. “I’ll walk you out.”
I didn’t try to talk him out of it. It was late, and the parking lot was empty. Going out to my car alone wasn’t tempting.
At the door, I looked back at Jack, who had followed us to the entryway. “I like your apartment. Thanks for, well, everything. Inviting me, the coffee, helping with the app, even letting me borrow your jacket today. I really can’t thank you enough.”
“Drive home safely, Hailey.” When I turned back toward the door, his hand grazed my arm. “Text me when you get there?” he asked.
“I will.” He’d probably stay up worrying if I didn’t. “And don’t worry, the coffee is kicking in.”
I followed Sean down the stairs, not hearing the door shut until we were out of sight.
Sean was quiet as he studied the parking lot, his gaze shifting while we walked to the back corner where I’d snagged a spot. He held my door open, and I tucked my legs inside.
Instead of shutting it, he hesitated, staring down at me. The interior light spread to his face, showing me his intent eyes, and his nostrils had flared a little.
“You remember my kissing offer?” he asked.
