Chapter 3 Jake
THREE
JAKE
Lee pauses the movie and stares at me, which is a bit disconcerting given the black charcoal mask that’s drying on her face. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Babe, that mask really makes your eyes pop.”
She grins, or tries to, and shoves my thigh with her foot. “Thanks. Honestly, I’d love to return the compliment, but it’s not doing anything like that for your brown eyes. And anyway, no changing the subject. I need the details of what happened at the coffee shop.”
Okay, her annoyance is warranted. I started telling her about it and realized she might not appreciate that I confronted Matt.
Which, yes, I did consider that in the moment, but didn’t listen to myself.
But dang it, I was angry for her! “Fine. But let me backtrack a bit and say that I’m aware you’re a big girl and can handle your own battles.
And I plead temporary best-friend-overprotectiveness. ”
“Jake.” There is definite steel in her voice. “What exactly did you do?”
My words are a bit pinched as my mask begins to shrink with the drying process. “Okay, so, I’m sitting on the comfy love seat at French Press, sipping my triple shot oat milk Americano, filling out grant applications—”
Lee smiles encouragingly. “As one does.”
“Exactly. So, I’m minding my own business, and in walks Matt.”
She tries to frown but the mask only lets her purse her lips. “Matt?”
“Just work with me here for a minute. Now, I didn’t know his name was Matt at the time. Obviously he wasn’t wearing a name tag, but he was dressed in business casual attire, and not wearing a coat. He mentioned that he was working just up the street.”
Lee shakes her head. “Jake.”
I hold up my hands in a bid to stall her comments.
“He asked for a sixteen-ounce dark roast drip coffee with two added shots of espresso—and not gonna lie, that order made my heart pitter-patter, and not from caffiene—but then he ordered a triple venti, half-caf, soy, no foam, sugar-free vanilla latte with light whip and cinnamon sprinkles. Your order! But the proof was when he gave his and your names for the drinks.”
Her mask is wrinkling over her forehead now. “The proof of what?”
“The proof that it was Asshat Matt! I figured he was buying you an apology coffee at best, and at worst it was a bribe to keep you quiet. Either way, I wasn’t having it. So I jumped up and got right in his face, and gave him a piece of my mind.”
Lee manages to look partly confused, partly amused, and partly horrified. It’s a testament to how well I know her, because I could tell all of that with her face covered by a rapidly shrinking peel mask. She leans closer. “What exactly did you say?”
Her tone is wary, so I tread carefully. “Well, I said I know what he did. And I might have mentioned that he wouldn’t get away with it.”
“Jaaaaake—” Her voice dips and rises as she draws my name out in a warning tone. “Is that all you said?”
I wince, or try to. “No?” She manages to raise an eyebrow at me, and I’m impressed. “I also may have said that it’s only a matter of time until he’s found out and everyone will know.”
“Oh, Jake.” Lee closes her eyes, her tone resigned. “What am I going to do with you?”
I rush to explain myself. “I was defending your honor! Not that you need defending. You can absolutely take care of yourself. You are a fully actualized adult who can make her own choices and fight her own battles. But Lee, he was right there, buying you a bribe! And you’d just told me what happened, and I was upset for you!
” I give her my best puppy eyes since I can’t do much else with my facial expression until I peel off the mask.
She sighs and takes my hand, giving it a squeeze. “I know, babe. And thank you for being upset for me. I do really appreciate you. You always have my back.”
“I do. Forever.”
“But—”
I nod vigorously. “I overstepped. I won’t let it happen again. But the jerk deserved it.”
“I’ll grant you that the jerk deserved it.
If it had been the jerk.” She gives my hand a shake, and I get a queasy feeling in my stomach.
“But it wasn’t Matt Archer, the jerk I work with.
You yelled at Matt Ward, the brother of a friend of mine.
Well, Matt’s a friend too, I suppose. Or, we’re friendly.
Anyway, it wasn’t Asshat Matt, it was Sweet Matt. ”
As her words sink in, heat creeps up my face and my stomach twists in knots.
His reaction to my behavior, including what he said, hadn’t made sense when I thought it was coming from Asshat Matt.
But knowing it was Sweet Matt—a complete stranger reacting to what he must have assumed was a deranged individual—his reaction was incredibly kind after how I behaved.
“Oh. My. God. Lee!” I clutch the front of my robe, and she starts to laugh.
“It isn’t funny! I totally went off on the wrong Matt!
” I slump against the sofa. “He must have thought I was utterly irrational!”
She laughs. “You were utterly irrational.”
“Thanks for that.” I nudge her leg with my knee. “Oh my god, I need to find him and apologize.”
“Well, it’s your lucky day. Or it will be.” She laces her fingers with mine and pats my hand. “I’ve invited him and his brother to my Valentine’s party. So you can take the opportunity to explain your behavior and tell him how incredibly sorry you are.”
I rock my head back and forth like a toddler having a tantrum. “Lee, he was adorable! I’m pretty sure we had a moment before I got all up in his face. And now he thinks I’m ridiculous at best.” I look at her pleadingly. “Why do I sabotage myself? We could have been something.”
She laughs at my antics, knowing not to take me too seriously.
“Well, you can apologize and see how it goes. Maybe he’ll understand and give you a chance.
He is cute, if you’re into guys.” She grins.
“But even I can see he and Charlie are good-looking.” She sits up, suddenly excited.
“Oh hey! If it doesn’t work out with Matt, you could always try asking his brother out.
Charlie’s cute too, in a bear kinda way.
And he’s bi. So, you’d totally have a shot. ”
“Mmmm. Isn’t that kind of sketchy to go after the brother because I made a wreck of an opportunity?” I groan dramatically. “I suppose I’ll apologize and see how it goes. He seemed like a decent guy. What’s the worst that can happen?”