Page 6 of Drop Three

Which led me here—on a date with my work friend, Jared.

I’m now seeing this for what it is—a safe attempt at dating. Jared is safe. We know each other and spend every day around each other. But that doesn’t make us compatible romantically.

Incompatible is a mild term to describe this date.

This will pose a bit of a problem, seeing as I’m currently crashing at his place.Glorious.

I love getting myself into these uncomfortable situations.

I need to navigate this well enough to salvage the friendship we have.

Exiting the elevator, Jared hurries in front of me to unlock his apartment door. Not that I was enjoying this date, but he full-on left me by the elevator doors, a good thirty feet behind from him.

The man ran.

I’m chuckling under my breath before I can process what’s happening. I silently head to where he’s shuffling through his keys to find the one that fits.

You live here, Jared. Shouldn’t you know which key it is?

Bless his heart. He’s nervous. God, I hope he doesn’t expect anything to happen tonight. No. Nada. It’s never going to happen.

Jared speaks up, “There, I got it.”

“Perfect.” I stand back as he holds the door open for me to enter and secures the lock behind us. “Thank you for taking me out tonight. I had fun.”

“I did, too, Navy. I’d like to do it again sometime.”

I barely reach the apartment threshold and turn around to respond before his wet lips are on mine. What in the…

I don’t think—I react at the first touch of the unfamiliar. Jared’s hands are secured at my cheeks, while my instincts lead me to find his chest as I push him off, my shock painted clearly across my face.

I hastily wipe the back of my hand across my lips, attempting to get rid of his slobbery kiss. “Jared, what the hell was that?”

My eyes are lit with fire, searching for his. He’s standing stock-still, his eyes still closed, and his lips in a puckered position.

“Jared.” My voice gets louder.

I’m not sure how I feel right now. I’m pissed he kissed me without giving me any signs or a chance to tell him to fuck off. That’s really what I’d like to say right now, but deep down, I know Jared, and he’s never done anything to hurt me intentionally. After all, we’ve always been friends.

“Uh, uh. I kissed you.” No shit, Sherlock.

“Yeah, you did. But why? That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”

He’s embarrassed, and he should be. There was no point tonight where I gave him any reason to expect more or that I was into him as more than a friend. I feel like I gave that away the second he told me about his favorite meals his mother cooks.

Yes, this was a date, but it felt nothing like one. I’m seeing now that I must have been the only one to catch that vibe.

“We had a great night, Navy. I wanted to kiss you.”

He’s innocent; I can see that. It’s been so long since I’ve had to do this.

“Jared, typically, the moment to do that would be when the person you’re kissing can see it coming. You basically cornered me and attacked my mouth.”

It’s a little funny when I think about it. I hope he can hear the sincerity in my voice.

His timid eyes concentrate on the tiled floor beneath us. “I blindsided you, didn’t I?”

My light giggle causes his eyes to dart up. “Yeah…you kind of did.”

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