Uneven Exchange by S.K. Derban Page A

not?”
    Jake shrugged. “I don’t know, Kath, but honestly, I had no idea. You can’t believe what I’ve been going through trying to pretend she’s only a friend to me.”
    “Are you joking? You have feelings for Alexandra?”
    “Kathryn, I have been madly in love with that woman since the first moment I laid eyes on her. She literally takes my breath away.”
    “Now I’m the one who is shocked. You certainly didn’t give away any clues. I must say, Jake, you are an excellent actor. Especially the way you seem to gallivant all over town.”
    “Ha!” Jake laughed loudly. He placed a hand over his mouth and then leaned closer to Kathryn so he could whisper. “Most of my stories are made up. You can’t believe how many nights I grab a burger and head straight for home. I had no idea Alex even gave me a second look.”
    Kathryn rolled her eyes and chuckled softly.
    “Don’t say it, I know, I’m dense. Seriously, Kathryn, I thought she was merely trying to act sisterly.”
    “She did invite you to Cozumel,” she reminded him.
    “Are you kidding? There is no way on earth I could trust myself being alone with her overnight. Do you really think she expected me to go with her?”
    “Honestly, no. Alexandra wouldn’t consider that appropriate. However, I do think her invitation was a test for you. Maybe even a last resort.”
    “So something did happen in Cozumel,” Jake confirmed. “You’ve noticed the change too.”
    “I don’t know if something happened, but yes, she definitely has changed.”
    “Do you think Alex met someone over there?”
    Kathryn turned her head slowly to look at him. “I don’t know, Jake. Alexandra doesn’t really talk with me about her personal life. Most of what I know about her feelings for you is made up of bits and pieces of conversations.”
    Jake looked worried. “Then how can you be so sure?”
    “Believe me,” Kathryn said calmly, “there is no doubt in my mind Alexandra was also madly in love with you. However, there is a doubt about whether she remains in love with you. I honestly do not know.”
    Jake’s shoulders rose and fell as he exhaled loudly. “Wow. This is certainly a lot to digest.” He placed a palm on her desk. “Okay, coach. So now what do I do?”
    “You tell her how you feel and don’t waste a moment more.”
    “But how can I do that? What if she has a boyfriend? I don’t want to ruin our relationship.”
    “What relationship? Do you honestly like how things have been going?”
    “No, I don’t. Not in the least, but I also am willing to take whatever small amount I can get. Kathryn, when Alex and I first decided to begin our partnership, she really stressed the importance of professionalism. I got the feeling that guys tended to hit on her at inappropriate times. So you see, if she doesn’t reciprocate my feelings, it could really cause a strain on our partnership.”
    Kathryn nodded.
    “I don’t know if I’m willing to take that risk,” Jake continued.
    “I really don’t think it would hurt your partnership.”
    “But are you certain?” he pressed.
    Kathryn paused to think. “No, I don’t think it would hurt the partnership, but I also am not one hundred percent positive.”
    “What happened, Kathryn? How could Alex be so insistent that we have a professional relationship, then turn the tables like this?”
    “She fell in love. That is how.”
    “Then she should have told me.”
    “You should have told her.”
    Jake nodded. “I better get back to work,” he said solemnly, “but it’s definitely not going to be easy.”
    “You have decisions to make.”
    “I know. That’s why it is not going to be easy.”
    Jake tried, without success, to focus on work. Instead, he sat drumming his fingers loudly on the smooth surface of the drafting table and turning to look at the clock every few minutes. Fortunately, Isaiah was out of the room as Jake mentally reviewed how approaching Alexandra might play out. He even spoke softly