Not when I woke up alone.
Not when I’m still trying to swallow the ache of it.
But Jake is easy. Safe.
And after the morning after blues I’ve been feeling? Well, safe feels nice.
“Listen,” he says, a little hesitant now. “I don’t know what’s going on with you and Mars.”
My stomach tightens.
“Yesterday was confusing. And I’m not good at picking up mixed messages,” he continues.
Yeah. Tell me about it.
“But if you’re not—that is, if you’re single, Hilary,” he starts.
He rubs the back of his neck, a little self-conscious now.
“I’d love to take you out sometime.”
It’s sweet.
It’s normal.
It’s exactly the kind of thing I should say yes to.
A nice guy.
A safe choice.
A man who wouldn’t disappear in the morning.
I open my mouth.
“Jake, I?—”
A hand wraps around the back of my neck.
Warm.
Firm.
Familiar.
My breath catches.
I don’t even have time to turn before I’m pulled back—and David’s mouth is on mine.
Hard.
Possessive.
Not asking.
Not hesitating.
Taking.