Unsuitable by Samantha Towle Page B

never cleaned it is because you’re always in there!
    I repress a sigh and say, “Fine.”
    Turning, I pick up my bucket and cleaning supplies and hook the vacuum under my arm.
    “You need a hand?” Jude asks from behind me.
    I glance back at him, ignoring Kas’s stare on me. “I’m good, but thanks.”
    “It was nice meeting you, Daisy.”
    “You, too.”
    I start to walk to the door. Surprise has me nearly tripping over myself when Kas quickly moves past me and holds the door open for me.
    Okay…
    “Thanks,” I utter.
    “How did your meeting go?” Kas asks in a low voice, bringing me to a shocked stop.
    I really don’t get this guy. One minute, he’s Kas-hole, being a total dick to me. The next, he’s Kas-nice, asking how my meeting went.
    His mood swings are really starting to give me whiplash.
    I turn to him to find that his eyes are soft and fixed on me. A stark contrast from the way he was looking at me mere seconds ago.
    I give him a sad smile. “Not as well as I had hoped. But thank you again for letting me have the time off. I do appreciate it.”
    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.”
    “Jude…” Kas’s tone is like a warning.
    Interesting.
    Um, hold up…I’m not bothered that Kas is pissed off at the thought of Jude asking me out.
    Am I?
    “What? You’re not gonna ask her out,” Jude counters. “She’s hot as fuck, and she seems like a really cool girl.”
    “You don’t know her.” His tone is really harsh and blunt.
    Wow. Okay. That hurt.
    “That’s the point of asking her out, dickface. You know, so I can get to know her.”
    “Not happening. Daisy is off-limits to you.” Kas’s voice sounds like a growl.
    Um, what?
    Jude laughs. “Off-limits? To just me or everyone?”
    There’s a pause, and then Jude laughs again. “You so wanna bang her.”
    “Jesus Christ! Will you just shut the fuck up about Daisy?” Kas bites.
    “Hey, no need to get all testy, man. But be real for a sec. This is the first time in all the years I’ve known you that I’ve seen you