The waitress listed what was available. “The marionberry is the freshest,” she said. “Or the double-chocolate. Those are my favorites.”

“I’ll take the marionberry,” he told her. “Jess, you want a chocolate rush?”

“Sure.”

“Great. And two decafs, please.”

Jesse was pleased by the exchange. A month ago, Matt wouldn’t have spoken more than his order. He hadn’t understood the simple pleasure of connecting with someone for a few seconds. Now he seemed to move more easily in the world. She wanted to take credit, but she’d done nothing more than point out the obvious.

“You didn’t answer the sparkage question,” Jesse said, hoping they’d made out for hours. Maybe hearing about him falling for someone else would help her realize that he wasn’t for her.

“I kissed her, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“And?”

He shrugged. “It was okay.”

She held in a whimper as she tried not to think about what kissing Matt would be like. He had a great mouth and an attention to detail that was intriguing. Except it was never going to happen between them. Not only was he obviously not interested, but she liked him and liking him made a relationship impossible.

Every time she got involved, things went wrong. Somehow she managed to screw up everything. After a series of disasters, she’d given up on anything serious and settled for casual flings, although lately even they were losing their appeal. She liked Matt too much to risk destroying their friendship. Besides, now he had everything going for him so he would never be interested in her.

“There wasn’t chemistry,” he said. “I’m a guy and she was pretty, so sure, the kissing was nice, but there are degrees, you know? There’s nice and then there’s I-have-to-take-you-now. She was nice.”

Jesse felt a rush of heat. When was the last time he’d had an I-have-to-take-you-now experience? She desperately wanted to ask and didn’t want to know in equal measures.

“Maybe the next one will be better.”

“Maybe.” He looked up. “You remembered to turn off your cell. There haven’t been any calls from Ted or Butch or Spike.”

“I’ve never dated anyone named Butch.”

“What about Spike?”

She laughed. “Once.”

“I knew it.”

She touched her purse. “No calls. I’m between guys.”

In the past couple of weeks she’d ignored her ringing phone. She knew the reason. He was sitting across from her. She even knew what was different. She and Matt were friends. She’d never bothered with being friends before. Had never thought about more than the night. Now she found herself wondering…Talk about terrifying.

The waitress brought their coffee and pie, then left. Matt picked up his fork.

“I think I want something else,” he said, hesitantly.

“What do you mean? Different pie?”

“The dating. It’s okay, but every time it’s the same conversation. Getting to know each other, trying to remember if I’ve told that story or not. I want a second date.”

“You want a relationship,” Jesse said, telling her heart it could get pouty later. “That makes sense. So ask someone out a second time. If it’s good, ask her out again. That’s how dating turns into a relationship.”

“I haven’t met anyone who interests me that way. No one I feel comfortable just hanging out with.”

They were hanging out. She took a bite of pie to keep from saying that. Memo to self—Matt wasn’t interested. He saw her as his teacher, nothing more. She should be happy. And she was…almost.

“Is that stupid?” he asked. “You don’t do relationships.”

“Which isn’t something to be proud of. You know what you want. That’s a good thing.” If only he could want her.

Time for a subject change. “Have you been looking at condos?” she asked.

“Just those first ones.”

“You’ve got to get your own place. It’s time. You’re never going to get laid if you don’t get your own place.”

He grinned. “Who says I haven’t gotten laid?”

There was a confidence in the question, sexy maleness in his voice. A sharp jab cut through Jesse. Jealousy burned hot and bright.

“You’re not going to get laid a lot,” she said, going for normal and hoping she didn’t fall short. “You need your own place.”

He looked at her. “You okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“I was kidding. I haven’t slept with any of them.”

Thank God. “It would be okay if you had. You’re single, they’re single. That’s how it’s supposed to be.”

He studied her, as if searching for something. Humiliation heated her cheeks, forcing her to duck her head so her hair hung down, shielding her. She didn’t want him to guess that she had feelings for him. He might pity her and that would be worse than anything.

“I’m a guy,” he said. “I don’t like shopping. Picking a condo is shopping on a grand scale. Come with me. That will make it easier.”

Easier for him, maybe. Not that she would say no. She wanted to spend time with him, to pretend that hey, sure, it could work out.

“Just tell me when.”

“YOU CAN SPEND MORE than this,” Jesse murmured as they walked through the empty tri-level town house in Redmond. “Get something on the water. A place with a view.”

“It’s too big,” Matt told her, ignoring her comment about price. “Three bedrooms. What do I need three bedrooms for?”

“One for you, one for an office, one for guests.”

“I don’t have guests.”

Good point. Because any women spending the night would be in his bed. “Then use the third bedroom as a media room.”

His eyes brightened. “Yeah?”

“Guys are so easy,” she murmured. “Yes. Cram it full of electronics. Make the walls vibrate. But if you’re going to do that, use the top-floor bedroom because it doesn’t have a common wall with anyone and you won’t annoy your neighbors.”

“Good point.”

They toured the kitchen, which was a good size and bright. “Nice appliances,” Jesse said, pointing at the stainless-steal cooktop. “Double ovens. That’s important.”

Matt looked at her. “For all those multi-course dinners I’m going to cook?”

“It could happen.”

They revisited the master.

“Nice shower,” she said, pointing to the frameless enclosure. “Big enough for two.”

“I heard that,” the real-estate agent said as she came into the room. “You’re such a lovely young couple. Are you engaged?”

Jesse had been looking at condos with Matt for the entire afternoon. She’d climbed countless stairs, pointed out pluses and minuses and seen several perfectly acceptable places. But would he pick one?

She was hungry, tired and both happy and frustrated by spending time with him without actually being with him. In his mind, she was his faithful friend. Like a dog. She decided it was time for a little payback.

“Yes,” Jesse said quickly, leaning against Matt. “But it’s a secret.”

The older woman smiled. “Congratulations. You seem very happy.”

“Oh, we are.” Jesse batted her eyes at Matt. If she’d been able to reach, she would have kissed him, but he was a little tall and she didn’t think he would cooperate by bending. “Aren’t we, my little snuggle monkey?”

His gaze narrowed. “Snuggle monkey?” he mouthed, then he leaned down. “You are so going to pay for that,” he whispered.

“You deserve it. This condo is great. So were the others we saw. Pick one or I’ll tell your mother we’re engaged.”

He ignored that, but didn’t pull away when she continued to lean on him.

He felt perfect, she thought. Strong and capable. Someone she could count on. If only…

The real-estate agent glanced at her watch. “I have another appointment, so I need to run. If you want to look around a little more, just lock the door behind you when you leave. There are more condos, if you want to see them.”

Matt shook his head. “I’ve seen enough. Let me pick one this afternoon, then we can get together and fill out the paperwork.”

“Wonderful. You have my cell number. I’ll be available anytime after four.”

She waved and left.

Jesse stepped back. “You’re serious? You’re going to buy one?”

“Probably this one. You’re right. It has everything I need, so why not?”

“But you haven’t wanted to make a decision.”

“I haven’t wanted to make a change,” he corrected. “You were right about that, too. It’s time for me to be on my own. I’ve taken the easy way out, staying with my mom. She isn’t going to like me leaving, but she’ll get over it.”

“Wow. Great. I think this one is the best of them, but it’s your decision. Imagine the fun you’ll have picking out new furniture.” She moved into the bedroom. It was big enough for one of those massive sleigh beds. With the fireplace in the corner and rich bedding, the room could be masculine and romantic.

“The dining room is beautiful, with that coved ceiling. And you can go crazy with your media room.”

She turned and saw him watching her. There was something about the look on his face, something she’d never seen before.

“Matt?”

“I don’t think I realized it until just now,” he said slowly.

“Realized what?”

“That somewhere along the line I became more than a project to you. When did that change?”

She froze, unable to move, barely breathing. Here it was—the one thing she’d wanted to avoid. That moment of total humiliation. Because he wasn’t some poor geek who needed her help anymore. He was masculine and capable and someone she was wildly attracted to. Emotionally, he could crush her like a bug.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said as she started backing out of the room. “Look. It’s late and I should probably be going.”

Except they’d come in the same car. Damn. Now what?

“Jesse.”

The way he spoke her name made her shiver. “What?”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m scared.”

There it was. The truth. All of it, leaving her exposed. What if he laughed? What if, even worse, he said he appreciated her feelings but he thought it would be best if they were just friends. What if—

He crossed the space separating them, cupped her face in his large hands and kissed her. Just like that. Mouth on mouth. Lips pressing, touching.

It was a soft kiss, a gentle kiss, as if he was giving her a chance to get used to being close to him. She raised her arms, then lowered them to her sides. For the first time since she was maybe thirteen, she wasn’t sure what to do back. How to respond. What would be right? What would be too much?

He tilted his head slightly, but didn’t deepen the kiss. Seconds ticked by. She was aware of the pounding of her heart and the heat she felt inside. Heat and wanting and fear. Finally she couldn’t stand it anymore and she pulled back.

“I can’t,” she whispered. “I can’t do this.”

“Why not?”

She turned her back on him and folded her arms across her chest. “Because I’m not what you think. I’m not anyone you want to be with.”

He moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him. She let herself lean on him, just for now. In a second she would be strong again.