Page 31 of Love Out Loud

Chapter Twelve

“Jesus, you’re killing me, Jake,” Marcus huffed from a couple of strides behind on the jogging trail. “What’s up with you today?”

Jake slowed his pace fractionally. “Nothing.”

“I mean, I agreed to meet at the ass-crack of dawn. The least you could do is cut me some slack for my sacrifice.”

“Sorry.”

Marcus grabbed his side like he had a cramp and gulped in some air. “Wanna talk about it?”

“I told you I needed to run early today because I have a client at ten.”

“I’m not talking about why we’re here this early. I’m talking about why you’re running like you’re trying to get away from a fucking bear or something.”

Hewastrying to get away from something. Himself. Himself and his attraction to Fiona. He had to shake this. She was a client. “Sorry, Marcus. I’m frustrated, I guess.”

By now, his friend had caught up, matching his strides. “It’s that new client, isn’t it? The vet with the rabies speech.”

Jake laughed. “It’s not a rabies speech.”

“Ah-ha! But itisthe vet.”

They ran without talking for a while. When they passed under the bridge into the last stretch, Jake slowed to cool down. “I don’t know what to do about her.”

“I have an idea. Why don’t you ask her out?”

“Client.”

Marcus punched him playfully in the shoulder. “That’s bullshit, and you know it. She won’t be a client forever. Once the speech is over and she’s no longer a client, ask her out.”

“That could be as long as seven weeks from now.”

“That bad, huh?”

“Worse.” The kiss, though brief and totally unplanned, had been spectacular. He ran a hand through his hair and huffed out a breath. His dreams had invaded his waking hours now, and he found himself drifting off into daydreams about a witty, strange woman who never ceased to surprise him. “Talk me down. Tell me to live up to my job and be professional.”

“Hey, man. I’m your best friend. I’m supposed to steer you right.” They had made it back to their starting point across the street from the Met. Marcus leaned over, catching his breath, hands on his knees. “I think you should ask her out and then take her home and—”

“Stop,” Jake said. Hearing it would only make it worse.

“You wanted my opinion. How doesshefeel about it?”

That was a really good question. He was pretty sure she felt the same way. She’d certainly kissed him back like she felt the same way, but she wasn’t direct verbally—though in fairness, neither was he. “She’s harder to read than most people.”

“In other words, she’s not coming on to you like Charise or that woman at the pub last month.”

Fiona didn’t strike him as someone who would flirt hard like that. “No, she’s not coming on to me.”

“So, what do you want?” Marcus asked, retying his shoelace.

“I want you to encourage me to stay professional and do the right thing.”

“No, you dumbass. Not me. What do you want fromher?”

More.Jake’s stomach churned. “I don’t know.”

Marcus stared at him for a moment. “Dude, you are so fucked.”

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