“He was trying to make amends, Mel,” I said. “He felt horrible for being such a dick to me after everything, and he was trying to show me he was sincere about his apology. That’s all it was.”
Melody rolled her eyes with clear disdain for my explanation. “Please… I always felt the guy was hot for you.”
“Based on what exactly?”
“Based on instinct.”
“You’ve never met him,” I pointed out.
“I’ve spied him from a distance.”
“When?” I demanded.
“When I came here to meet you before we went out for dinner. I saw him walk past and I felt a little moisture between my legs.”
“Melody!” I exclaimed, cringing at her graphic revelation.
“What?” she asked, completely unconcerned. “It’s true; he was so hot that it got me all…hot and bothered.”
“Geez.”
“What, are you saying you never felt a little something-something when you’re around Jake?”
“No,” I said a little too quickly.
“You need to learn to lie a little better,” she said, glancing shrewdly at me. “Just admit that you find him attractive.”
I sighed. “Okay, fine, I do find him attractive.”
Melody smiled with satisfaction. “But why do I have the feeling that you’re going to qualify that—”
“But—”
“I knew it,” Melody nodded.
“It’s complicated, okay?” I stopped the treadmill and jumped off of it.
A few seconds later, Melody did the same, and we walked over to the elliptical machines. We got onto two vacant ones side by side and picked up our conversation right where we had left off.
“Yeah, yeah… I know you think it’s complicated because he’s your boss and—”
“Actually, no,” I interrupted. “That’s not the main reason.”
“It’s not?” She sounded surprised.
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I mean, the fact that he’s my boss is definitely a factor, but at the moment, it’s actually a less important factor for me.”
“Okay, what is the more important factor then?” Melody asked with interest.
“His past,” I sighed.
“His past?” she repeated. “Oh, that’s vague…”
I smiled. “He’s a widower,” I explained. “And, I still don’t think he’s gotten over his wife yet.”
“Did he mention her while you were out at dinner?”
“Not once,” I said. “At least, not directly. He spoke about his son and was open about the fact that he was a single father…but he didn’t make any mention of his wife.”