“I’m so sorry I fell asleep,” I said on another yawn.
“It was a long day, and you’ve been blowing and going for weeks.”
“I had so much fun with you today,” I said. “Thanks for going with me.”
“It was my pleasure. I’m not just saying that. It was really cool.”
I beamed at him and followed him into the house. Miss Priss materialized, demanding treats and affection in equal measure. With a laugh, I scooped her up and carried her to the cabinet Jake stocked with cat bribes. Once I set her down with her treats, I spied a little black bag on the counter.
“What’s that?” I pointed.
Jake’s ears turned red.
“Um, uh, well,” he stammered.
Jake wasn’t the stammering type. I watched him with raised eyebrows until he slumped against the kitchen cabinets in defeat.
“It’s for you. Go ahead and open it.”
My exhaustion forgotten, I attacked the bag. When I cracked open the small box and recognized the beautiful rose ring from earlier, I gasped.
“It suits you, and it doesn’t have to mean anything,” he murmured.
I looked at Jake, really looked at him. My grumpy, dear Jake, who was miserable as he explained that the romantic gesture he made wasn’t romantic.
I couldn’t wait anymore. With the ring in my hand, I marched up to him.
“I love it.”
I went up on my tiptoes and kissed first one cheek and then the other.
“It’s beautiful.”
Then I gripped him by the shoulders and pressed my lips to his.
Jake froze. His eyes, though, blazed with emotion.
If I walked away right now, he’d chalk it up to gratitude, but I was tired of playing it safe. With my pulse thundering in my veins, I took a deep breath.
“I want us to be more, Jake. You’re my best friend, but I want more.”
An agonized expression crossed his face, and my heart plummeted to my toes.
“I can’t,” he rasped. “I can’t be friends with benefits with you.”
“No,” I cried out. “That’s not what I mean.”
He stepped away from me, and I wanted to scream. I ruined everything.
No, I couldn’t believe that. I wouldn’t.
“Jake, talk to me.”
“It’s better if I get out of here for a while. We’ll talk later.”
He strode toward the door without a backwards glance.
I scurried as quickly as my stupid, short legs would go, and I slammed into the front door before he reached it.
