Page 20 of The Reluctant Hero

One of her friends tries to bring her over which perks both me and Jake up. He hasn’t taken his eyes off of her through the entire class. Not that anyone else would have noticed. He’s too good at subterfuge for that.

She gives a halfhearted wave without looking and pants her way out of the room in defeat.

Jake sums it up in one word when we get back in the car.

“Different.”

I wonder if she’ll come back.

* * *

Jake and I are both more excited about class the following weekend. Who knew the woman would improve my mood? Not me, that’s for sure.

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her. What does she look like under those sweats? Is she plush and soft? What’s she like when she speaks? If I can’t get her attention with jealousy, what would do it? What is it about her that has us both in knots?

The closer Saturday got, the more antsy we’ve been. Ace noticed, but he didn’t ask any questions. I wouldn’t have any answers if he did anyway.

We’re early when we walk in by at least thirty minutes. It gives me the uncomfortable impression of being a boyfriend eager for a first date. Jake isn’t any better. He’s craning his neck to find her.

Asher is still in his office. He looks up in surprise to see us there as Max talks his ear off.

“Tell me they aren’t back,” Max pleads shamelessly when he notices us.

“They aren’t back,” I say at the same time as Jake’s, “You want us to lie?”

“Damn it,” he grumbles.

“I can’t shift the schedule around again, Max. Stop with the look,” Asher tells him flatly.

Jake spins, alerting me that something is up. Whatever he sees dims his smile a little. It’s rare for him to break character in public.

“What?” I mutter softly.

“They’re back. She’s not with them.”

Damn. Concern starts to billow up. Is she sick?

I’m not falling for her damsel in distress act, right? I’m made of sterner stuff than that.

I’m not, but if I keep telling myself that, it might stick.

“No,” Max moans dramatically as feminine voices greet us.

I let out a soft sigh and glance at Asher. “Just focus on the real shit. We’ve got this.”

I don’t sound as enthusiastic as I should. It shows because they both give me surprised looks. Asher’s eyes narrow on me thoughtfully.

“Ladies,” Jake steps away from the door with his grin back in place. “So good to see you again. Right this way.”

“I thought you were raring to go,” Max’s brows lower in confusion.

“Yeah, sure,” my lackluster response turns on a dime as one of them, Jen or something, gets into my personal space. I don’t mind sweat or blood, but the slime that practically oozes out of her makes me want a shower as soon as possible. She putsher hand on my chest as if she has a right, and it takes everything in me not to step back.

Here we go. With no entertaining woman in sight. We do find out her name, though.

The women are giggling about Amanda’s no-show. None of them call her, proving she really is the pity add-on, not that I needed the hint. They aren’t concerned for her welfare or if she’s stuck in traffic. They’re too busy focusing on anything male with muscles.

Jake makes a game out of herding them away from the other men. It would be funny, but I’m no longer in the mood to be here.

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