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"Too much information," Lowe muttered into his coffee

"That’s your definition of too much information?" I heard Claudia say as I followed Jake down the hall "You have a lot to learn"

"Was that an invitation?" he purred back

I shot Jake a triumphant look but he shook his head sternly and pulledthe door behind us

He turned tohappened between Claudia and Lowe"

"But you heard him"

"That’s just Lowe He’d flirt with a houseplant What he would not do is touch Claudia He kno Beck feels about her"

"You know, I’s when it co with her He doesn’t want to date her but he gets pissed when souy does No That does not fly in Charley World, Jake I’ve advised Claudia to ently pulled ht But don’t pit best friend against best friend"

Feeling bad, I played with a button on his shirt "I’m sorry That’s not cool, I know"

"Anyway, Loouldn’t touch Claud"

"Why not?" I glowered "She’s sether"

I felt hihter "Sheath the claeetheart I know your girl rocks but Lowe and Beck are tight He wouldn’t do that to Beck, no "

"Uh, he did it to you witha dick"

Jake tensed and I kneas exactly the wrong thing to say He releasedon his co at ht with me as he is with Beck And it was you"

I was alave me a sharp look "Come on, you irl to him"

"If you knoe likes me, why do you rub us in his face?"

"I’m not"

"The comment about the teeth marks The cous Plus, this way he’ll get over it quicker"

"You were definitely far s"

"That was different" His face clouded at the mention of his ex "Loasn’t in a relationship with you You didn’t tell each other you loved one another"

Realizing I was digging myself deeper into unstable territory, I tried to stu, I think there’s animosity between you two I don’t understand"

"He tried to fk you," Jake snapped

My cheeks flushed "I think you’ll find that it was a little uy He was there for roaned and buried his head in hands "Baby, I hear what you’re saying but please pick someone else Not for lanced over his shoulder at et to hold her captive while he et it I do Advise her to ot his issues but me and The Stolen are his only real fa tome a lot of credit if you’re truly worried I couldhappen between Claudia and Lowe"

Suddenly looking very boyish, Jake said, "I believe you can do anything you put your mind to, Charley Redford You’re a force to be reckoned with"

His words cast stillness overin all that he was "Totally worth it," I rinned "Get on the bed You just won bonus sex"

His low chuckle tickledplaces as , Jake unbuttoned his shirt, his fingers stalling on one at the sound of a ringing colanced down at the screen

"Shit, it’sto answer it?"

"I forgot I said I’d take her call tonight If I don’t answer, she’ll keep calling"

"Crap!" I yanked reeted innocently into the camera

"Jake, sweetheart, how are you?"

"Fantastic Charley’s here" He gestured for h Jake said his faether, after the chat with mine, butterflies invaded my belly as I walked slowly to the screen Jake’s ed an iota since I last saw her alo

"Hi, Mrs Caplin"

Her eyes lit up "Charley, it’s so good to see you I was so happy when Jake told ether"

My butterflies slowly abated at her sincerity "Good to see you too How are you?"

"I’m well, sweetheart, thank you And you? You’re even prettier than I rehter I like it How are Jim and Delia? Are they well? How are the florist and the auto shop?"

"Mohed as he pulled ot her back Don’t scare her aith the Spanish Inquisition"

"I know, I’rinned unrepentantly It reet back here You have to co faain"

I relaxed deeper into Jake, the stress of my parents’ disapproval eased under the warmth of Jake’s mother’s acceptance "I would love that, Mrs C"

Chapter Five

After Claudia’s "asshole" outburst at The Brewhouse I chased after her When I caught up to her she was hurrying down the street with the invisible s out of her

"What happened?" I asked as I shoved her purse at her

She snatched it off"You first," she snapped

So I told her what had gone down between Jake andnew "And was he cool with that?"