“And?” I held my breath.
Claudia’s eyes lit up. “It’s all good. I’ll tell you about it later.”
Relief moved through me. I couldn’t be happier for Claudia that her real dad had gotten back in touch. I was curious to know what he’d said, but I knew it was something she was keeping private.
And then an idea hit me.
“You should go out for a drink. Relax about it now. Maybe Lowe could take you.”
Jake gently nudged me toward the door with a huff of exasperation. “Charley and I will be in my room. Do not disturb.”
“Too much information,” Lowe muttered into his coffee.
“That’s your definition of too much information?” I heard Claudia say as I followed Jake down the hall. “You have a lot to learn.”
“Was that an invitation?” he purred back.
I shot Jake a triumphant look but he shook his head sternly and pulled me inside, locking the door behind us.
He turned to me, completely serious. “Beck would lose it if anything happened between Claudia and Lowe.”
“But you heard him.”
“That’s just Lowe. He’d flirt with a houseplant. What he would not do is touch Claudia. He knows how Beck feels about her.”
“You know, I’m starting not to care about Beck’s feelings when it comes to Claud. He’s messing with her. He doesn’t want to date her but he gets pissed when some other guy does. No. That does not fly in Charley World, Jake. I’ve advised Claudia to move on.”
Jake gently pulled me close. “And you’re probably right. But don’t pit best friend against best friend.”
Feeling bad, I played with a button on his shirt. “I’m sorry. That’s not cool, I know.”
“Anyway, Lowe wouldn’t touch Claud.”
“Why not?” I glowered. “She’s smart and funny and prettier than all his groupies put together.”
I felt him shake with laughter. “Sheath the claws, sweetheart. I know your girl rocks but Lowe and Beck are tight. He wouldn’t do that to Beck, no matter how much of a dick Beck’s being.”
“Uh, he did it to you with me when you were being a dick.”
Jake tensed and I knew it was exactly the wrong thing to say. He released me and wandered toward his desk. Turning on his computer, he spoke without looking at me. “That was different. Lowe isn’t as tight with me as he is with Beck. And it was you.”
I was almost afraid to ask. “What was me?”
He gave me a sharp look. “Come on, you must know Lowe really likes you. You’re not just some girl to him.”
“If you know Lowe likes me, why do you rub us in his face?”
“I’m not.”
“The comment about the teeth marks. The comment just now. ‘Do not disturb.’”
“I’m just being me, I’m being us. I’m not going to stop being us. Plus, this way he’ll get over it quicker.”
“You were definitely far more concerned about protecting Melissa’s feelings.”
“That was different.” His face clouded at the mention of his ex. “Lowe wasn’t in a relationship with you. You didn’t tell each other you loved one another.”
Realizing I was digging myself deeper into unstable territory, I tried to stumble out the way I came in. “I’m just saying, I think there’s animosity between you two I don’t understand.”