Jasper: 

Simon's off-limits. Off-limits in so many ways I can’t even keep track of them all. And I think he’s oblivious to how much I want him.  

At least I hope he is. I’ve been trying to keep it to myself, trying not to cause any issues with my job or his internship at my clinic. It’s the kind of thing that could be a lot of trouble for us both, and not just because his dad, one of my closest friends, would have my head and lock him in a closet for safekeeping. 

Simon might be cute, he might be charming and good at his job, but he’s not worth losing focus for.  

Nothing is. 

So we make some bad decisions. Call it casual. 

I’m not supposed to be feeling above-the-belt things for Simon Blunt. I’m especially not supposed to be feeling this wild need to claim and protect him. 

Simon: 

I don’t know how I’m going to deal with this crush that’s still alive and well after all these years. At first I figured it was just a stupid kid thing and when I saw Dr. Twill again I’d have easily outgrown it. 

Of course that didn’t happen. 

Shadowing him, seeing how he interacts with people, how much he cares about his work, I know this isn’t the same horny teenage crush I had a decade ago. 

Jasper’s an older man, a doctor, former military, insanely fit. Who wouldn’t have a crush in those circumstances? But with us, there’s an extra level—the history, the nostalgia… the wrongness. I know my dad would flip his lid if anything happened between me and Jasper.  

But...is that enough of a reason to stay away?