“I hadn’t planned on it.” She lowered her eyes for a moment, which was fortunate, because he needed to catch his breath, and he wasn’t sure he could have managed it still pinned in her gaze.

“I got out of a meeting early and thought I’d check in on things, but it’s not exactly a hardship. Besides”—she nodded with her chin—“the one standing closest to the door is kind of cute.”

Ethan tracked the direction she indicated. Emma Klein was cute . . . Oh.

“Do you normally . . . with women?” That pause was incriminating. “I mean, is that your preference when it comes to dating?” He’d heard she used to date her male co-star. And obviously he’d been entertaining delusions that she might consider dating him. “Or um . . . do you . . . ?” Wow, he really had no idea how to ask her if she was bisexual or pansexual, and probably—no definitely—it was none of his business. He closed his mouth with a snap.

Naomi tipped her head back to study him.

“Rabbi Cohen, you’re blushing.”

That was the least of his problems. Her eyes were alarmingly green. Ethan was pretty sure points were falling off his IQ as he stood looking at her.

“I’m sorry. It was rude to inquire like that. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“I’m not sure you did say anything.” Naomi wrinkled her forehead. “I date people of all genders, if that’s what you were trying to suss out.”

“Right. Of course. Good for you.” He threw up both hands. That hadn’t come out right. “Not that it wouldn’t be good if you didn’t. Any kind of dating you choose to enjoy is fine by me. Though obviously you don’t need my permission.” Thank goodness there was a fire extinguisher in here, because he was absolutely going to have to set himself ablaze. He let the daydream that they’d actually been flirting die a quick death.

Naomi seemed to be enjoying herself. “Your eye is twitching.”

“I’ll just go splash some water on my face,” he said, already halfway across the room.

“Good idea,” she called after him.

He’d never behaved like this around anyone before, tongue-tied and fumble-footed. He forced himself to look back at her.

“Will you be okay on your own for a moment?” He realized it was a stupid question immediately after the words passed his lips. Ethan just really wanted her to only ever have good things happen to her.

“Yes.” She practically glowed in her amusement. “Pretty sure I can manage.”

At least things couldn’t get any worse.

Or so he assumed, until the door swung open and suddenly the mixer had seven participants.

Ethan groaned. You’ve gotta be kidding me.

“Sorry I’m late,” Leah said, rushing over and giving him a quick peck on the cheek. “What are you doing?”

“I didn’t realize you were coming.” He tried to use his eyebrows to convey that he wanted her to leave. Immediately.

“Are you kidding?” She punched him none too gently on the arm. “I wouldn’t miss the chance to support my big brother and find true love.”

Evidently, Ethan’s eyebrows were not as expressive as he’d hoped.

Naomi approached.

“Everything okay?” Naomi glanced at the clock over her shoulder. “The group’s getting antsy. We should probably get started.”

Before Ethan could intercede, Leah was thrusting her hand toward Naomi’s. “Hi, I’m Leah. Ethan’s sister. It’s so nice to meet you. I’m a platinum Shameless subscriber.”

“Oh. Wow. Thank you.” Naomi glanced between the two of them.

They didn’t look that much alike. Though they both took after his dad, short with dark hair, Leah favored their mom’s family with more of a heart-shaped face.

“It’s my pleasure. Literally.” Leah raised her eyebrows lasciviously.

This event was rapidly turning into a nightmare.

“Leah, would you go tell those people clustered in front of the door that we’re about to begin, please?” The excuse to get rid of her was flimsy, but he wanted to put as much distance between Naomi and the person who had witnessed his awkward adolescence as possible.

“Sure. I can do that.” Leah turned so Naomi couldn’t see her and mouthed Get it! at him before making her way to the meager refreshments table, where everyone else had congregated.

Ethan longed for an aspirin.

“Well, guess we’re back to odd numbers,” Naomi said.

“Oh, shoot. Sorry.” His shoulders relaxed a little now that Naomi wouldn’t have to participate.

“Wait, actually”—she snapped her fingers—“why don’t we both try? It’ll help round out the small group, and we’ll get better data about the attendees and the model firsthand. That way we can see if we need to tweak it for next time.”

“I’m not sure that’s the best idea,” Ethan said, which, he credited himself, was nicer than his initial reaction of Are you nuts? He had to admit, though, the scientist in him had perked up at her quick-thinking proposal for collecting data.

“Why not?” Naomi raised a bare shoulder.

Ethan tried not to think about kissing said shoulder.

“You said you’re single.”