Chapter 58

“What? What the hell does that mean? You two have some couple-y, inside language now, or what?” Daniel’s almost pouting as Jake and I turn to sigh at him a little sympathetically.

“I think I used the word ‘complicated’ maybe a dozen times to brush off how I felt about Jake,” I point out.

“I think it was more like thirty times for me,” Jake shrugs.

“Fuck’s sake. You two need to back off, okay? Leila is not the girl I’m in love with. Enjoy your Chinese; I’m going to hit the gym and then abuse your shower. I’m staying the night, so keep the noise down.” Daniel goes to storm off, but Jake halts him with a hand on his shoulder.

“Stay here, Bella,” he says to me while looking at Daniel, “I need to have some words with my so-called best friend. I won’t be long.” He leans down and kisses me, his hand smoothing my hair back, before he stalks out with Daniel, closing the door behind him. I exhale heavily, a weird trepidation in my gut.

I wait until everything goe