Page 52 of Second Down Darling

Doubtful. The man has women throwing themselves at him at everyturn.

Maybe he’s upset about tonight’sepisode.

“Jake.” I wait until he faces me. “Are you okay watchingThe Hot Houseby yourself? I feel bad I’m ditching you.” I’d watch it with him, but I don’t think it’s healthy for me to obsess over shit Kota might or might not say. I cut ties with her for a reason and don’t want to give her any more power over me. So I might watch a few episodes, but I’m not going to rearrange my life to catch every singleone.

“Oh! He won’t be by himself. I’m watching it with him!” Buffy says with a happysqueal.

He smiles at her, and my stomach sinks. “Great.”

The knock at the door has my heart racing, but not in a good way. I suddenly don’t want to go out, but Roxy opens the door and Kyle gives me awave.

I don’t want any more weirdness with Jake, so I grab my purse and headout.

It’s the longest two hours of my life. Dinner is nice, but our conversation is painfully stilted. I suppose it says something that I’m enormously relieved when it’sover.

As soon as I’m home, I kick off my heels with a sigh ofrelief.

“You’re back early.” Jake’s studying notecards at the kitchentable.

“I tried blinking more to stave off ‘stalker vibes,’ but at one point Kyle asked if I had something in myeye.”

Jake chuckles. “He’s anidiot.”

“How was the show? Anything terriblehappen?”

“Two people hooked up. One chick nailed an audition. Dakota cried fake tears over someone’s bad poem from their group therapy session—I’m guessing so viewers vote for her this week. Other than that, nothingmajor.”

“That’s a relief.” I pick up my shoes and head back to the bedroom, but he calls myname.

“You okay, cupcake? Kyle didn’t do anything he shouldn’t, didhe?”

Is it my imagination or did he growl out that lastpart?

“He was a perfectgentleman.”

“Then why do you look sodisgruntled?”

I think about that. “Aside from us not having anything in common? Or any chemistry?” Over my shoulder, I say, “Maybe I’m not looking for agentleman.”

With that parting comment, I go tobed.

Is it wrong to want someone who’s ravenous for me? And fine, I don’t really want to bang someone on the first date, but Kyle and I had zero chemistry, and that bummed meout.

Will I ever find someone who does it for me besides my big, cluelessroommate?

“We’ll be back in an hour.”Yvette takes Asher by the hand, but he scoots away and runs tome.

“Aww, buddy.” I squat on the ground and hug him. “Have fun at the park with Miss Yvette. Be a goodboy.”

He points to himself and proudly nods. “I’m a goodboy!”

“And who goes potty in the bathroom like abigboy?” Ash had been having accidents, but he’s back on tracknow.

“ME!” he shouts with a hugesmile.

I high-five him and ignore Yvette’s eyeroll.

She’s giving off some high-level bitch vibes today, so I usher Asher to her. When they’re gone, I sigh. If I hustle, maybe I can get out of here before they return. I love spending time with Asher, but I feel like Yvette is plotting to poisonme.

---