Page 75 of Jake

Jake had brushed them off. They weren’t in any reputable newspapers. It didn’t take a genius to do just a little bit of digging to see that she’d never lived with a man and had spent the majority of her adult life single. If she were a gold digger, she was a shitty one.

Lauren had thought about suing her, but it seemed better, for now, to just ignore her. If they brought about a court case over it, it would be a public spectacle and give her mother all the attention she so craved.

The elevator doors opened as Jake arrived at home. He stepped into their apartment and immediately loosened his tie and slipped it off.

“It never gets old,” he told her.

“What?” she asked, stirring the Alfredo she was making.

“Coming home to you,” he said against her neck as his arms came around her.

“I love you,” she told him and leaned her back against him, enjoying his warmth around her.

“I love you too.” He kissed her neck, sending shivers down her body.

“Stop that.” She swatted at his hand. “I’m making dinner. You have to move or it’s going to burn.”

He kissed her neck but did step away. “What can I help with?” he offered.

“Get the salads together,” she told him, returning her attention to thickening the sauce.

They moved together in the kitchen, sparks flying as they rubbed against each other on purpose to do one thing or another.

“Go sit,” she told him as their plates were ready.

“Yes, ma’am,” he teased and with a mock salute went to the table.

Lauren carried their plates of pasta over to set next to the salads that Jake had made. “I have a question.”

“What’s that?” Jake asked as he scooped up a forkful of pasta and took a bite. “Mmm,” he moaned. “This is amazing.”

Lauren laughed. “You say that every night.”

“It’s true every night,” he answered simply.

“I’m going to burn something one night just to see if you tell me it’s amazing.” Lauren shook her head as she teased him.

“It will be. Everything you make is amazing. Coming home to a meal is amazing; going out is amazing. Just being with you is amazing.” He grinned and took another bite.

“You’re good.” She laughed.

“What was your question?” he asked between bites.

“Who’s next?” She had wondered before when she first found out they were all setting each other up on blind dates about the order they were doing it in.

“Oh, Evan.” Jake grinned up at her.

“Who picks his dates, then?” She had an idea.

“I think Luke goes first. It’s only fair. I’m making sure everyone gets the same shitty first date that I did. I still have to talk to everyone else about it to confirm.”

“You never know, he might get one right.”

“You’ve met him, right?”

Lauren just laughed. “He’s not that bad.”

“His dates are, even if they aren’t for you.”

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