Jamie didn't think much about the coffee shop cashier incident anymore. At least, they tried not to. Taylor's weirdly intense reaction—definitely jealous, no matter what they claimed—still replayed in Jamie's head at inconvenient times, like while brushing their teeth or microwaving leftovers.
So when their coworker, Alex, leaned over Jamie's desk one Wednesday and said, "You're coming to trivia night, right?" Jamie just blinked.
"Trivia night?"
"At Murphy's Bar. Tonight. You have to come." Alex's grin was way too enthusiastic. "We need smart people. And you'd be fun to hang out with outside the office."
Jamie hesitated. They didn't usually go to office social events. But Alex's hopeful look—and okay, the little flutter in their chest—made it hard to say no.
"Sure," Jamie heard them say.
Alex lit up. "Awesome. I'll save you a seat."
---
Jamie almost didn't tell Taylor. Almost.
But of course, Taylor had a sixth sense for plans that didn't involve them.
"Trivia night, huh?" Taylor said that afternoon, sprawled on Jamie's couch like they paid rent there.
Jamie narrowed their eyes. "How do you know about that?"
"Alex posted in the office group chat. I lurk." Taylor grinned. "So…you're going?"
"Maybe." Jamie shoved their laptop into a bag. "It's just trivia."
Taylor sat up, suddenly alert. "With Alex?"
Jamie froze mid-zip. "Yes? Why?"
Taylor shrugged, too casual. "No reason. Just thought you hated bar trivia."
"I do," Jamie admitted. "But they asked, so…"
Taylor's lips pressed into a line. "Right."
---
The bar was loud, buzzing with energy and terrible pop music. Jamie spotted Alex waving from a corner booth. They slid in, trying not to look self-conscious.
Alex grinned, leaning closer than necessary to be heard over the music. "Glad you came."
Jamie smiled back, warmth pooling in their chest. This was fine. Just friendly. Totally fine.
Then Taylor showed up.
Jamie almost fell out of their seat. "What are you doing here?"
"Trivia night," Taylor said innocently, sliding right into the booth beside Jamie. "Couldn't let you embarrass yourself without me."
Alex looked between them, eyebrows raised. "You two…?"
"Just friends," Jamie said quickly, heat crawling up their necks.
Taylor smirked, resting an arm along the back of the booth behind Jamie's shoulders. "Very close friends."
Jamie elbowed them, but Taylor just grinned wider.
---
Trivia started. Jamie tried to focus on the questions, but it was impossible with Taylor's arm brushing theirs every time they leaned forward. Alex, meanwhile, kept whispering answers in Jamie's ear, their breath warm against Jamie's cheek.
Jamie laughed nervously. "You're actually good at this."
Alex winked. "Stick with me, we'll win."
Taylor's hand, which had been casually resting on the booth behind Jamie, suddenly dropped onto Jamie's shoulder.
Jamie stiffened. "What are you doing?"
"Keeping score," Taylor said flatly, scribbling something onto the paper.
Alex raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.
---
By the third round, things had escalated. Alex had scooted closer, Taylor's hand hadn't moved, and Jamie was about five seconds from spontaneously combusting.
When the host announced a music round, Alex leaned in again, practically shoulder-to-shoulder. "I bet you'll crush this one."
Taylor's jaw ticked. "Actually, we usually crush music rounds together."
Jamie buried their faces in their hands. "I hate both of you."
---
They didn't win, but somehow Jamie ended up walking out between Alex and Taylor, each vying for their attention in different ways—Alex with compliments, Taylor with sarcastic jabs.
At the curb, Alex smiled. "We should do this again sometime. Just us."
Jamie's heart stuttered. Before they could answer, Taylor cut in smoothly, "Sorry, Jamie's weekends are usually booked."
Alex's brows rose. "Oh? With what?"
"Me," Taylor said, smiling like it was obvious.
Jamie wanted the sidewalk to swallow them whole. Alex gave them a look—half amused, half curious—before saying goodnight and walking off.
As soon as Alex was out of earshot, Jamie rounded on Taylor. "What the hell was that?"
Taylor shoved their hands in their pockets. "What was what?"
"You basically scared them off!"
"Good."
Jamie's jaw dropped. "Good?"
Taylor met their eyes, uncharacteristically serious for a moment. "Yeah. Good."
The air between them went taut, heavy with something Jamie couldn't name. Then Taylor broke it with a smirk. "Besides, no one beats me as a trivia partner. Not even Alex."
Jamie groaned, shoving their shoulders. "You are insufferable."
Taylor just grinned, walking ahead with that maddening confidence. "And yet, you keep me around."
Jamie stared after them, heart pounding far too fast for comfort. Because Taylor was right. They did keep them around. And maybe—just maybe—they were starting to realize why.