Page 60 of Puck My Stepbrother

“Jeez, you should try open mic night at a comedy club.”

“I’m going to be with Jeff.”

Okay, I’ll admit that one sounded like a lightning strike—it sure as hell felt like one. I’m smart enough to know a you-can’t-change-my-mind tone when I hear one.

“You don’t really mean that,” I said.

“Yes, I do. I know things have gotten…heated between us. It’s been my own fault for giving into those temptations.”

“Those deep, insatiable desires, you mean?”

“Whatever, Levi. That doesn’t change anything.”

“But you sounded like you really wanted to be with me.”

“And I’m sorry for leading you on. Really. I just think that Jeff is the right guy for me. He’s all the things I’ve ever wanted in a guy.”

“You’re not using your gut.”

“No, Levi, I’m using my brain. It’s a far better body part for decision-making than the one we were both using in the kitchen.”

I’ll admit my responses to him had almost dried up. Even still, I couldn’t quit. That attitude would never fly on the ice.

“Look, I already told you Jeff has everything I want in a guy. Yeah, I get it, you’re hot and you’ve got a great body, but I can’t fall for looks alone. And I’m not changing my mind.”

And he blew past me. I actually let my guard down. But I saw from his face that he didn’t really believe what he was saying. Not completely.

I still didn’t doubt myself. But I knew Jeff posed a greater challenge than I’d first thought.

23

QUINN

“Ireally need to talk to you about something.” I looked across the table at Jeff, who lifted an eyebrow. Thank God he didn’t look alarmed. Since our failed attempt at sex, I’d felt on edge around him, never knowing how he really felt about my reaction.

“If this is about what happened last week…”

I cupped my hands over his.

“No, no,” I said, “nothing like that. There’s just something I wanted to discuss with you.”

If I kept this up, I’d never squeeze the words out. Have you ever tried to discharge ketchup from a glass bottle? That’s what this conversation felt like.

I really wanted to ask Jeff to become official with me. I wanted to be with him, but I also had other motivations. Deep down, I thought it would drive a stake through the heart of my desire for Levi once and for all.

But I needed the courage to actuallytakethe next step.

If I couldn’t ask him to be official, I’d at least ask him to be my wedding date. Yeah, I knew that would drive Levi nuts andopen myself up to other problems, but it would show Jeff that I was serious about our relationship.

Jeff said, “So it wasn’t about…you know…”

I shook my head.

“Look, I was really nervous that day. When you invited me over, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I mean, it occurred to me that maybe you’d want to…you know.”

Bringing up the topic in a public place felt so weird, even though we were using hushed tones. Spot Coffee was so crowded that no one would overhear us through all the racket, but I still felt self-conscious as hell.

“Can I ask you something?” he asked.