Page 85 of Firecracker

His baffled expression made her laugh. “Don’t make me explain it to you. Please.”

“Ugh.” He shook his head and loaded his plate up with more chicken and basmati rice. “Why are you asking me this? Is this hypothetical?”

“We’re going out Thursday night.” She didn’t tell him they’d already slept together. So they’d done things backwards; Jamie didn’t need to know that.

He sat back down at the counter and met her eyes. “Again, I say…why are you asking me this? What if I don’t want you dating him?”

“I’m not asking your permission.” She held his gaze. “I’m trying to be open about it. And I do care about how you feel…but…”

“But you’re going out with him anyway.”

She bit her lip. “Do you really think it’s a bad idea?”

“Jesus. I don’t know. I don’t even knowwhatI think about it.” He eyed her. “Are you ready to start dating again?”

“It’s just a date. I’m definitely not interested in a relationship.”

“Okay, whoa, whoa.” He held up a hand. “Hold the fuck up.”

“What?” She widened her eyes at him.

“Tyler’s a good guy.”

“I know.”

“You may not be interested in a relationship, but he’s a relationship kind of guy.”

She frowned. Her heart sank. Despite what Tyler claimed about not wanting that, Jamie was right. She dropped her gaze to her plate.

“I don’t want you to screw him over,” Jamie added.

Her insides squeezed up like a fist. “I wouldn’t.”

He rubbed his forehead. “I know you wouldn’t do it intentionally. But…”

She swallowed, her throat constricted. “You’re right. It probably is a bad idea.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“I get it, though. Really.” She forced a smile. “Forget I ever mentioned it.”

“What are you going to do? Cancel on him?”

“Yes.”

“Shit.” He looked away. “Didheask you out?”

“Yes.”

“Shit.”

“I’m sorry, Jamie.” She slumped on her stool. “I didn’t mean to come here and mess things up. I’m grateful to you for letting me stay here.”

“You haven’t messed anything up.”

“I have. And I’m sorry. I love having your friends as my friends and hanging out with all of you and…and…even though I haven’t figured everything out yet, I will. I definitely don’t want to cause problems between all of you. Damn.” Her eyes stung a little in the corners, but she determinedly blinked away tears.

“Look, it’s none of my business, really,” Jamie said. “You and Tyler are adults.”

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