Shit, it should’ve gone without saying, but it just hit me then. I needed to take my own advice and be more careful with Kate too.

Adam Zepecki: Of course they can. But they don’t, not unless they have a good reason to. Wait, you’re not bringing up porn over there, are you?

Perry Sommers: No!

Adam Zepecki: Then we’re good.

Perry Sommers: But what about the no-frat policy they have?

Adam Zepecki: Not worried.

Perry Sommers: You always say that.

Adam Zepecki: Do you know how many people have dated here over the years? There have even been plenty of marriages. That policy is not enforced.

Perry Sommers: Then why have it?

Adam Zepecki: It’d only come into play if the ranks were really unbalanced. Say if a head manager were messing with a reporting employee, then I could see it becoming a problem.

A problem? Yeah, right. I glanced over my shoulder to see Stephen staring in my direction. A tingle flew through me before I could contain it.

That wouldn’t be a problem. That’d be a royal clusterfuck.

Irecognized that look, and I didn’t appreciate it.

“Put your damn tongue back in your mouth.”

“I can’t help it, Perry. He’s bee-u-tiful.”

“You can too help it, and he’s my boss. Temporarily.” I dug my nails into his arm. “So stop gawking,” I hissed.

“I can’t help how my body reacts when I see something sexy. I can only control what I do about it. I know that better than anyone.”

“Exactly. So stop fucking gawking.”

Stu and I were sitting on a picnic bench near FiTech’s main entrance. I hadn’t expected Stephen to come walking out shortly after me. He eyed us over, then headed towards the parking lot, Stu’s plate-sized pupils following him the entire time.

“I can’t believe that’s the guy you told me about. He’s younger than I imagined.”

I waved my hand in front of his face. “Kenny, remember? And Idon’t have much time, remember? That’s why you had to come here for my break instead of waiting until I could meet you somewhere else. You just couldn’t wait another second to tell me something important, but apparently, I’m still waiting.”

“Sorry, you’re right. I just got a little distracted.”

“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”

“Is he as awesome as he is delicious? I bet he’s awesome.”

“Maybe I’d be able to answer that better if his cockiness didn’t get in the way.”

“What’s wrong with cockiness? How can anything with the word ‘cock’ in it be a bad thing?” He waggled his eyebrows. “I bet you’d like some of hiscockiness to get in your way.”

“Jesus, will you stop already. And what are you—twelve?”

I glanced around the lot but didn’t see Stephen anywhere. I was hoping to see him drive out because I was really curious what kind of car he had. If it was some pretentious thing, I could prove my point better.

“Now come on, Stu. I have to go soon. What’s the big news?”

He took my hands in his and gave me a huge smile. “You know how much I love Kenny and want us to work out.”