I saw Genesis kiss a man this morning. I've never ever seen her kiss anyone in front of me. I know it doesn't sound fair because I've kissed Myra in front of her but it was unexpected. I was parking my car when I saw a man dropping her off and she kissed him. I didn't get to see his face but I'm glad about that.

"Emma?" Blake calls out, snapping me out of my thoughts. I look at him, waiting for him to speak. "Everything alright?"

My first instinct is to tell him to mind his own business but I don't want to backtrack on all the progress we've made over the weekend. After talking for a while, Blake left my room on Friday night and we hung out yesterday with Nick because we all went grocery shopping together.

I nod at him. "Yeah, all good."

"You've barely said a word since morning, and it's almost lunchtime. Anything you want to talk about?"

"Shit, it's lunchtime already?" I freak out, looking at my watch. "I've got a training session in an hour. I need to set up the conference room. You're assisting me with this."

"I am?" He frowns, making me give him a look which earns me a sarcastic smile. "Yes, of course, I am."

When we're done setting up the room in the finance department, I turn to look out the glass walls. It's pretty much the same as HR department with phones ringing, people rushing but less quieter than sales department. That place is a havoc.

"Em?" I hear Sam's voice when he enters the room. "You're doing this?"

I rush to him, giving him a tight hug. "Yes, don't be an ass, please. I'm super nervous."

"Hey, you'll be great." He assures me and then Olivia walks in through the door, frowning at us. "She's taking the session."

"Oh my god, that's amazing." She squeals in excitement.

I try to get motivated by her enthusiasm as more of the employees start coming in. Eric enters along with Parker, both of them wearing matching scowls. He makes his way to me and ushers me into a corner.

"Please tell me you've got this. That Parker needs to go down."

"I'm nervous, Eric," I tell him honestly, looking at the room filling in.

"Don't focus on anyone in particular and you're going to do great. Be ready for certain questions, rest you'll handle well." He gives me a firm nod.

If my boss can trust me, I certainly must've some skills. So, I take a deep breath and turn to Blake who gives me an assuring nod and smile, putting his thumbs up. He's going to take care of my presentation's technicalities.

After the room fills up, I start by small introduction and let my thoughts take a back seat as I carry on. Blake and I remain in sync throughout the entire thing. At the end, when it's the Q&A session, I fumble once which I quickly cover up.

Sam and Olivia give me victory smiles after I'm done and I let out a breath of relief. A few employees talk to me on one-to-one basis by the end which makes Eric give me a proud look.

"You did great." Blake comments when we're on our way up to our department.

"Thanks." I smile at him. "You too."

He chuckles, shaking his head. "Do you think I can get to conduct a session, if Mr. Davis allows?"

Eric would allow if I ask him to. But is Blake really ready for that kind of responsibility? He's always been so eager to learn about everything, and so far, he has done a great job. I'm the only one who does his appraisal while one another associate cross-checks it to avoid bias.

"Let's do a mock one first and see how that goes?" I suggest.

"Mock with who all?"

I shrug. "Prepare well and I'll get even Genesis in the room."

"CHRO for a mock session?" He raises his eyebrows in surprise. "Who else?"

"Eric, of course. Alyssa and Parker would be there too, and if you can charm anyone else off." I smirk at him and he nods.

"Will you help me prepare?"

I roll my eyes. "Of course. Why would I be supervising you otherwise? Your skills reflect mine."

"Do you want to go have lunch in lounge?" He asks me when we reach our desk and my eyes move to Genesis's office.

The blinds aren't drawn but she looks busy with work. The memory from this morning flashes in front of my eyes and I try to push back the weird feeling that comes along with it.

"Are you guys fighting again?" Blake interrupts my thoughts, following my gaze and I meet his eyes, shaking my head.

"No, I just saw her kiss someone else this morning." I blurt out without realising but it has been on my chest since so many hours.

"Jealous?"

His voice is laced with a weird tone when I meet his blue-greenish worldly eyes. "Honestly? No. Something happened a while back which kind of made me realise a lot about my feelings for her."

"C'mon, tell me over lunch."

I nod, picking up my bag to follow him to the lounge to eat. I pull out the paper bag which includes a tuna sandwich. As we eat, he gives me an expectant look, waiting for me to continue.

"She was engaged when we first slept together." I confess for the first time.

I'm not very proud of it. In fact, I've judged myself for it. Should I have asked her before having sex? But who does that? We just presume that the other person has morals.

"You didn't know?" He asks, surprised.

"No. I didn't know until I met her ex fiancé." I let out a groan. "He was a complete jackass. If it weren't for her brother and his wife, I would've called him out on his shit."

Blake stops eating as he stares at me. "You've met her family?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I just didn't know things were that serious between the two of you." He sounds dejected, leaving me confused.

"They aren't." I assure him, when I have no idea why the hell does he need that reassurance. "We decided to stick to sex after that night. So, my feelings have been dwindling a little ever since I found out she cheated on someone with me."

"Wow." He breathes, meeting my eyes. "So, why are you bothered by who she was kissing?"

I think about it for a second before speaking up. "I just haven't seen her with anyone else like that. It's a little weird, makes the prospect of this open-relationship even more real."

He nods like he understands what I'm saying but I'm glad he's a good listener who didn't judge me for my choices.

"After Sara made me eavesdrop the other day, I thought you guys were exclusive." He thinks out aloud and I give him an amused smile.

"Do you think Gen, out of all people, can commit to me?" I laugh, shaking my head at the idea and how stupid I was holding out for it even when I was in Chicago.

I could've had so much fun over there going on dates if it wasn't for my one sided loyalty. I miss Chicago, without the responsibilities when all I did was sulk on Brian's couch.

"Actually, I can. I don't understand why wouldn't anyone want you all to themselves." He's looking at me with his intense gaze, causing me to redirect my eyes away from him.

"Did you know our families are going away on a trip in couple of weeks?" I ask and he nods.

"Yeah, it's their annual cabin scene during fall no?"

"Fall isn't for a while." I remind him. "It's couple of weeks earlier than usual."

"Wait." He scowls at me. "You aren't coming along?"

"I was thinking of skipping this year. It's over the long weekend but I still feel like staying back."

"Why? What can you possibly have to do better than chilling on a beach?"

I let out a grumble. "I don't know, hang out with gran and gramps?"

"Brian's coming too, you know?" He adds, making my eyes widen.

"What? He didn't mention it to me." I stare at him in surprise.

"Well, he is. Mom told me last night, that's why I know. My friends were thinking of renting one of the cabins to chill as well. I can have best of both worlds." He grins to himself and I roll my eyes.

"I don't like the friend and family mixup."

Unless, of course, I consider my friends family which I really do with two idiot friends I have.

"What do you even like?" He asks, finishing his food as I almost do the same.

"Sex with Gen."

He grimaces at my answer, leaving me amused as we go back to our desk. Now that Brian's coming for the beach trip, I might as well go. I haven't seen him ever since I came back and we don't get to see each other for long periods of time anyway. Plus I think a vacation will do wonders for me.

After completing my work for the day, I look at Blake. "If you're going to come over tonight, you might as well leave with me."

He shakes his head. "Nah. I'm going to grab dinner with Sara. She's picking me up."

"Like a date?" I blurt out, lacking the mouth filter.

I try not to look embarrassed by my question as I wait for him to answer but he just grins at me, like he knows a secret I don't. It annoys me, that grin of his but I don't comment on it, trying to keep my expressions blank.

"Not sure. Don't wanna label it." He shrugs, making me frown.

What does that even mean? I nod regardless as I leave without him. I don't know why the idea of him going on a date with Sara bothers me. It shouldn't, he can do whatever the hell he wants. I just wish I could sort my own thoughts out.

Sara's blue hair, multiple piercings and pretty face comes to my mind as I drive back, continuously cursing the New York's office traffic hours. If I ever have a family, that's definitely not growing here.

I think I would like to move to Larkspur of all places. I like how peaceful it is over there. My mother would freak if I were to ever tell her this idea, but I'm sure I can land a good job there.

When I finally reach the apartment, I notice that Nick isn't home. I drop him a text to ask him if he'll back for dinner just so I can prepare the food accordingly. I think I can have frozen pizza because I'm not in the mood to put a lot of effort.

I try to imagine if Blake and Sara would make a good couple but the thought only leaves me with a bitter taste so I head to the bathroom to take a warm shower to relax my nerves.

When I step out, there's a text from Nick.

"Nope. Don't cook for me. Hanging w Blake and Sara. Wanna join?"

What? Didn't Blake tell me he was grabbing dinner with Sara alone? I'm almost tempted to tell him that yes, I do want to join but then I backspace the text. What would it say about me if I were to accept his offer? For once, I go against my mind.

"Sure. Where are you kids?"

He texts me an address and I bite on my lower lip as I see my reflection in the mirror. God, this is petty. Am I really going to do this to prove a point to Blake? Why would he lie to me to begin with?

Could he have possibly wanted to make me feel jealous? If yes, did he succeed?

Considering that an hour later I'm wearing a low-cut black dress, I would say he's succeeded well. What I don't understand is why do I even feel jealous or what do I feel jealous about? Tonight's going to be full of introspection. There's only so far I can run away from my own thoughts.

When I reach the place I realise that it's an apartment address. Shit, I hope it isn't a party. I don't want to party, I've been doing so well with my no alcohol rule. Anyway, if tonight turns out to be a disaster, I don't have to face Blake tomorrow because he has to be back in campus for some work.

I knock on the door and it's Sara in a dress with ever lower cut than mine. She squeals upon seeing me. "I thought you would ditch after the other day."

"What?" I frown, stepping in and realising that it's a studio apartment.

There's a kitchen on the left and a shelf of books on the right along with some home plants. My eyes move inside and I realise that there's a bean bag in front of a flat screen, a couch and behind that is a bed.

Shit. This is Blake's place. He's sitting on the floor with Nick in front of the screen, a controller in his hand.

"You know, you didn't want to hang out with us the other day."

"No, that's not it." I assure her. "I was just tired."

When we enter further inside, Blake's eyes meet mine and he frowns at my presence before shocks take over.

"What are you doing here?" He shoots up, standing in front of me.

As small as this place it, it's awfully clean without a hint of anything out of the place anywhere. I look at him, a little amused at his reaction.

"Nick invited me." I wave at the guy who nods at me with a grin. "I thought you were going for dinner?"

"Yes, at my apartment." He grumbles, throwing his best friend a deathly glare.

"You forgot to mention Nick." I whisper, a smirk evident on my face and he narrows his eyes at me.

"Hey Nick. Why don't Sara and you go get those beers you guys were planning to get?" He calls out to his best-friend, his eyes still dead set on me.

"What beer?" Sara scowls, coming to stand by his side as she wraps around her arms around Blake's, making my eyes narrow down at her touch.

"Nick. Now." Blake's voice is a little hurried and Nick must take a hint because he stands up from the floor.

"C'mon, Sara. I need to grab a few things." Nick takes her arm and drags her out of the apartment.

I hear them arguing on their way out and Blake continues to stare at me. I arch a challenging brow at him and he narrows his eyes at me.

"What are you doing here, Emma?"

"I told you, Nick invited me."

"He mentioned me, didn't he?" He cocks his head to the side, studying my face. "That's why you came. You knew I wasn't out with Sara."

"Why did you say it if you weren't? Why were you pretending to go on a date?" I ask, taking a step closer to him, glad that I'm wearing my heels which is helping me keep an eye balance with him.

"Don't you already know the reason?"

I scoff, shaking my head. "Are we still playing a reaction game, Blake? Because I've been reacting all this time, but you aren't paying attention."

"What?" He frowns, genuine confusion taking over his features.

My body heats up when I realise how close we're standing to each other. It takes me back to the moment he almost kissed me, and my eyes flicker to his lips. I swallow, trying to get my resistance under grip.

But then I meet his eyes and I can easily tell that his gaze is fixed on my mouth. My chest rises with my heavy breathing from standing so close to him as we continue to stare at each other. He's waiting for me to respond, to explain. But how can I explain this?

You know what? Fuck being the responsible one.

I step closer to him, letting my heart take over as I press my lips against his. He gasps from the contact but remains frozen as I realise that he isn't reciprocating so I immediately take a faltering step back. What hell did I just do?

So much for not screwing things up.

"Shit. Fuck. Blake, I'm so—"

He quickly cuts me off. "You told me not to kiss you."

"What?"

I frown, trying to make a sense out of his words but before I can do that, he steps closer, his arms coming around my waist as he pull me towards himself and kisses me. My heart almost stops from the contact as I kiss him back, letting my lips move against his. They are soft yet rough against mine, just like I imagined it to be ever since our almost-kiss.

My hands go around his neck when I realise what I'm doing. Just when the thoughts of rationality start to take over, his tongue overlaps with mine, a gasp leaving me, silencing every sane voice in my head.

Fuck. This guy can kiss!

I press my body closer to his as his arms tighten around my waist. My fingers move into his hair as I try to pull him closer, realising how much I've wanted to do this.

After a while, I'm about to part away to catch my breath when my phone starts ringing, making me jump apart from him. His eyes are filled with deep desire and lust that I haven't witnessed in anyone before as I pull out my phone from the purse.

Shit. I shouldn't answer it but the way Blake's staring at me, I take a step back and fumble with the touch screen of the phone before being able to answer it. Anything over the dreadful conversation about what just happened.

"Hello?"

I can feel his gaze on me the entire time but then I hear the recorded voice on the other side, making my blood run cold.

"Hello, this is a prepaid collect call from Metropolitan Correctional Centre. This call will be recorded and monitored. To accept the charges, press one."