Page 74 of My Office Rival

JASON

When we got home, I immediately escaped and went for a run. The early evening was crisp, the setting sun a beautiful bruised blue and purple over the fields. My heart pumped and my breaths sawed and I feltalive. I ran a third mile, faster than the last, and then a fourth even faster, just because I could. My mind cleared more with every step, until Cynthia’s words from earlier barely registered. I stopped after five miles and made my way back to the house, enjoying the quiet and the stars just starting to come out.

My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out.

Miles

How’s it going with your hot colleague?

Jason

How do you know she’s hot?

Jonah

We looked her up. She is hot.

Jealousyflared through me.

Jason

Stop salivating over her. I can almost hear it. And she’s opposing counsel, not a colleague.

Jonah

Semantics.

Miles

Are you jealous?? I think he’s jealous.

Jonah

You’re fucked.

That was the understatement of the year.

Miles

You’re so into her.

Jason

Yeah, well, she’s not into me.

Jonah

Is she blind? Unless you’ve gotten fat since the last time I saw you?

Jason

Don’t hold back to protect my feelings or anything.

Miles

Feelings. Did you just say feelings? Yeah, you’re fucked.

I shook my head and pocketed my phone. I was the king of not having feelings. But today? Acting like a couple, but not being one? Feeling possessive of her, but having no right to? Wanting to drag her behind one of the tents every five minutes? Her words had stung because they’d been the truth. I wasn’t her boyfriend. I was barely even her friend.

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