Page 44 of Unsuitable

Hand still on the door, Kas lifts a shoulder, shrugging off my comment.

We stare at each other for a long second. I feel a tension start to rise in the air between us. His eyes darken and flicker to life. I see his hand tighten around the door. My own breathing is coming in faster. My skin prickles to life under his intense gaze.

Then, as if coming back to his senses, he steps back, holding the door open wider. I walk through it.

“I’m sorry things didn’t work out for you.” Kas’s soft words touch my back.

I glance back at him. “Yeah, me, too.”

Then, he’s just staring at me again. There’s no warmth in his eyes this time, but there is definitely something. Almost like an invisible thread attaching us.

Then, I watch as his face shuts down. He gives me a sharp nod and releases the door, letting it close.

I stand, staring at the closed door.

Who is this guy?

Letting out a sigh, I turn to walk away, but one of the cleaning sprays slips from my hand.

“For eff’s sake,” I mutter.

I bend down to pick it up, and that’s when I hear my name being said from behind the door.

Of course, I have to listen in.

“So, that’s Daisy.”

“Mmhmm,” Kas answers.

“She seems nice. Hot, too. You didn’t mention that.”

“Why would I?”

Hang on…was that Kas saying he thinks I’m hot in a roundabout way?

“So, you actually admit you think she’s hot?” Jude sounds really surprised by this admission.

Kas sighs. “Of course I think she’s hot. A man would have to be fucking blind not to see that she is.”

Wow. He thinks I’m hot.

I steadfastly ignore the thrill that runs through me at the knowledge.

“And?”

“And what?”

“And what are you gonna do about it?”

“I’m going to do absolutely nothing about it.”

“Come on, Kas.” Jude’s tone is teasing, coaxing.

“She works for me. End of story.”

There’s a long pause.

Then, I hear Jude say, “Well, if you’re not gonna ask her out…then I will.”