“I’m sorry I answered for you,” Jake says, glancing at me in the elevator. There’s an apologetic downturn to one eyebrow that’s kind of cute. “I just don’t think any good would come from dating Daniel Hunter; I know him too well.” The look of conviction and honesty is endearing.

“I don’t want to date Daniel Hunter,” I smile tightly, suddenly warm and claustrophobic, deadly serious. Daniel is a creep.

Why does Jake have this knack for tilting me off keel? I ...