Jenna

jenna

J enna’s relationship with Gabe was not progressing as she hoped. They never did couple things like go out for romantic dinners or lounge on Sunday morning with the newspaper or discuss their dreams of a shared future. While their time together was almost entirely confined to her bed, the sex remained only mediocre. It felt transactional, like they were fulfilling a need rather than connecting on a deeper level. The intimacy she longed for—the kind that came with shared secrets and quiet understanding—never materialized. When she tried asking questions about his life, he deflected with humor or vague answers. She felt like a guest in her own relationship, unsure of her place or what he truly wanted from her.

What bothered her most was Gabe’s refusal to take their relationship public. At work, he only spoke to her when issuing curt orders, and she couldn’t shake the feeling there was more to it than the hospital’s policy regarding workplace relationships. Did he have commitment issues? Was he recovering from a bad breakup? Or worse—was he ashamed of her?

On Friday afternoon, a week before Valentine’s Day, a large group of doctors and nurses went out for pizza after work. Gabe made a point of sitting at the opposite end of the table from her, and whenever she spoke, he either looked away or down at his beer.

Once, while she was telling a story about a patient who nearly died due to blood loss, Gabe cut her off. “You’ve got it wrong, . The blood loss was secondary. The patient was in septic shock, and your explanation to the man’s wife about the next steps was so inadequate that I had to step in and clarify everything.”

Fighting back tears of anger and frustration, dropped enough money on the table to cover her share of the bill and fled the restaurant. As she took off on foot toward home, she vowed that when Gabe called later, wanting to come over for sex, she would offer him an ultimatum—either they came out of the closet about their relationship or it was over.

was desperate to talk to someone about her dilemma. She missed Jake like an amputee missed a limb. Despite working in the same hospital and living in the same building, she hadn’t laid eyes on him since New Year’s. She missed their walks, endless text conversations, and grocery shopping together on Sunday afternoons.

The brisk night air cleared her mind, and by the time she arrived at her apartment building, her spirits had lifted slightly. She was waiting for the elevator in the lobby when she sensed someone watching her. She glanced over at the attractive guy standing next to her, then did a double take. Although she couldn’t quite place him, something about him seemed vaguely familiar.

“Hello, ,” the guy said, his smile reaching his twinkling blue eyes.

Her mouth fell open. She recognized those eyes. “Jake? Is that you?”

“Yep. It’s me. I took your advice and cleaned myself up,” he said, running a hand over the smooth skin of his freshly shaven face.

She studied him more closely. “I don’t remember you having dimples before.”

Jake chuckled. “They’ve always been there.” He brushed a stray strand of her hair off her forehead. “I’m not the only one who got a makeover. The short style works for you. It highlights your eyes.”

Her face warmed—was she blushing? Jake had never had that effect on her before. “ I could say the same about your eyes. I don’t remember them being so . . . so sparkly.” A thought occurred to her. “Wait! Is there a reason for the extra sparkle? Have you met someone?”

He grinned sheepishly. “Maybe.”

A stab of disappointment pierced ’s heart, stealing her breath. Where did that come from? “Tell me more. Who is she? How did you meet? Is it serious?”

The elevator doors opened, and Jake pulled her out of the way of the crowd exiting from within. “You’ll get to meet her on Valentine’s Day, assuming we’re still on for dinner at Golden Orchid.”

“We’re still on. I made reservations for four people at seven o’clock. I’ve met someone too,” she said, dread knotting her stomach. How would she get Gabe to agree to dinner out with another couple?

Jake’s smile faded as though disappointed. “Good for you! Another SoulSync match?”

She shook her head. “Nope. I deleted the app. You’ll have to wait until Valentine’s Day to meet him.”

“That’s fair. I can’t complain since I’m the one who suggested this contest.”

’s expression turned serious. “I’ve missed you, Jake. Do you have time for a drink? I’m not seeing . . .” She stopped herself from saying Gabe’s name. “My boyfriend is working late at the hospital. I’m not seeing him until later.”

“Ah-ha! So you found yourself a doctor. Unless . . . ” He knitted his brow. “Surely, he’s not an unmanly male nurse.”

She smacked his arm with the back of his hand. “Despite what you think, I’m not opposed to dating a nurse. But he is a doctor, and that’s all I’m saying. So . . . about that drink?”

His features softened, as though tempted, but then he shook his head. “Let’s wait. We’ve made it this far. Valentine’s Day is only a week away.”

“If you insist. Seven more days. The countdown is officially on.”

She punched the elevator button, and they rode up to her floor in silence.

When the doors parted, turned to him. “I sense some tension between us. We’re gonna be okay, aren’t we, Jake? Our relationship can survive this friendship timeout, right?”

“Of course. We’ll be fine.”

His tone was reassuring, but his somber expression told another story. When she stepped off the elevator, a wave of loss washed over her, hitting her like a punch in the gut.

In the privacy of her apartment, she poured herself a glass of wine and picked up her phone, scrolling through old pictures of Jake. She went all the way back to their college years before finding a photo of him without the beard. His face was much fuller back then, a testament to his love of beer and pizza, which made his dimples less pronounced. But he was every bit as handsome. She pressed the phone to her chest. Her Jake. Her best friend. He belonged to someone else now. Who were they kidding? Their relationship would never be the same now that they’d discovered their significant others.

Her phone vibrated against her chest, and she quickly checked the screen, hoping Jake had changed his mind about the drink. But, of course, the text was from Gabe. Right on cue.

Can I come over?

sighed. Maybe she’d been too hard on him earlier. Adjusting to a new city, a new job, and an entirely new social circle wasn’t easy. If she were honest with herself, she couldn’t blame him for hesitating to jump into a serious relationship. Still, he was spending his free time with her, and that had to count for something.

Unfortunately, she’d just committed them to the Valentine’s dinner with Jake and his date. Now, she needed to find the right words—or the right way—to proposition him. An invitation he couldn’t refuse.

hurried into her bedroom to change. When he arrived a few minutes later, she greeted him at the door in her most alluring negligee, a glass of red wine in hand.

Gabe’s eyes widened, his gaze lingering on her barely covered body. “What’s all this?”

traced her fingers up his chest, her voice low and teasing. “I wanted to do something special for you . . . in exchange for a little favor.”

The warmth in his expression faded as he brushed past her. “I should’ve known there would be a catch,” he said, dropping his keys on the counter.

closed the door and joined him at the counter. “Hear me out before you say no,” she said, forcing a smile. “I made plans for Valentine’s Day with my best friend. I really want you to meet Jake. He’s bringing his new girlfriend.”

Gabe’s eyebrow arched. “Your best friend is a he ?”

“Yes! And he’s a great guy. I think you too will have a lot in common.” immediately wished she could take back her words. She couldn’t think of a single thing Jake and Gabe had in common. What if had nothing in common with Jake’s girlfriend, either? They would never do anything together as couples. And what if Jake’s girlfriend became jealous of her? That could destroy their friendship entirely. Jake’s stupid contest suddenly got way more complicated.

leaned into Gabe, pressing her body against his. “Please,” she murmured. “It’s just one dinner. I made reservations at an out-of-the-way Chinese restaurant. We won’t see anyone from the hospital, I promise.”

Gabe looked down at her, his expression softening as he wrapped his arms around her. “I’ll check my work schedule and let you know.”

Relief washed over , and she relaxed in his arms. It wasn’t a yes, but at least it wasn’t a no.