Page 88 of How To Not Need You

“What’s that?”

Jake looks down at the key, then back at me. “I feel like your graphic design qualifications should be enough for you to decipher this gesture.”

“Jake.”

His mouth twitches. “It’s a spare key.”

“I can see that.”

“Good. Was worried for a second.”

I narrow my eyes at him. He continues holding it out. I don’t take it.

“I could pick it up tomorrow.”

“I’ll be at work.”

“You could leave it under the mat.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because I don't leave keys to my house under the mat.”

I glance towards the windowsill. “Pot plant?”

“Hades would eat it.”

Right. Of course he would. “Mailbox?”

“No.”

“You’re making this unnecessarily difficult.”

“I’m really not.”

I look at the key again. “You could just give it to Martinez.”

“I could.”

“But?”

Jake shrugs. “You could keep it.”

There it is. My eyes lift to his. “Keep it?”

“You’re here enough.” He says it so casually. Like he’s suggesting I leave a toothbrush. Actually, no. Absolutely not thinking about toothbrushes. We’re dealing with one domestic crisis at a time.

“Wow.” I press a hand dramatically to my chest. “Romance isn’t dead.”

“I thought the key was romantic.”

“You gave it to me so I can feed your cat.”

“Our relationship has layers.”

I laugh. I can’t help it. Jake smiles, still standing there with his hand out and that stupid key sitting in his palm.