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grasped desperately for a way to diffuse the feeling. She tried to make a joke. “Oh?” she said. “Do I detect a hint of jealousy?”
    That was the wrong fucking joke.
    Icy fire blazed in Chet's eyes and his jaw clamped shut as his nostrils flared. “That's ridiculous,” he spat. “Why would I be jealous of you?”
    It took a second for his words to sink in because she was busy watching her life pass before her eyes, but when they did they were quite a shock. “I... I didn't think you would be jealous of me,” she said. Her mouth fell open. “I mean... are you?”
    Panic flitted across Chet's face, so fleeting that if she had blinked she would have missed it. “Of course not!” he said, but his eyes darted to the side, and it suddenly hit her.
    “Oh,” she said. “Oh.”
    Chet was in love with his best friend.
    That's what had been passing between them last night. That was the dark, heavy presence in the air between them. Chet wanted Sam, and Sam hadn't known, and Chet had taken the opportunity she had presented to indulge his unrequited love. If she hadn't been the one standing between them, it would have been tragically romantic.
    As it was, it was more awkward than anything.
    “Forget it.” Chet stood, tossing his napkin down. “Forget I said anything at all.”
    A pang hit her in the chest. “Chet,” she said, “I'm sorry. I won't say anything.”
    “There's nothing to say,” he snapped at her. “I have to go.” But he didn't go anywhere, simply stood there and ran his hands through his hair as small group of people entered the coffee shop. Maddy glanced at them, then back at Chet. If they hadn't already noticed Chet, they would at any moment. Their conversation was over.
    Maddy stood up, too. “All right,” she said quietly. She groped for the right words. “If you want me to try to... I don't know, feel him out and see what he thinks about, er , our previous meeting, I could...?”
    He didn't look at her. “No,” he said. “He won't even look at me now. So just go. Do whatever you want. It was stupid of me to say anything. You were right, it's none of my business. If you want to...” His eyes darted to the group of people who were now whispering fiercely to each other and trying to be sneaky about it. He had been spotted. “...If you want to work with Sam on this, you have my blessing.”
    She didn't. She could see that. Her heart ached for him. And also for herself. She'd liked Sam. She'd liked Chet, too.
    “All right, Mr. Taylor.” She paused, then decided to take the plunge. “For what it's worth, I really enjoyed our meeting last night. Thank you.”
    He looked at her in surprise, but she felt they had bared their souls to each other enough for one day. She smiled and ducked her head, then turned and walked out of the coffee shop.
    The elevator was just around the corner, and she was relieved when it opened immediately when she pushed the button. There was a whole gaggle of businessmen inside, higher-ups that no doubt worked fifteen floors above her and who were clearly annoyed at having to stop for a lowly peon on the second floor. They flashed her looks of irritation tinged with disgust as they shuffled out of her way. She stared at the floor and got in, trying to make herself as small as possible.
    A large hand slapped against the elevator door. Maddy's heart picked up as Chet pushed the doors open and glared at the people gathered inside.
    Silence reigned.
    “Who here doesn't know my name?” he barked.
    No one answered.
    “Then all of you get out, or you're fired.” Those icy blue eyes caught hers. “Except you, Miss Marcos. You stay.”
    She couldn't breathe. She barely felt the movement of bodies around her as the rest of her fellow passengers shuffled quickly out of the elevator. When it was empty except for her, Chet stalked inside and smashed his hand against the button, sending the doors sliding closed again.
    The second they were alone, Chet was on her.
    “Oh,”