"This is going to far," Steph moaned. She sprawled across the couch in the most dramatic of fashions. Jane looked up from her laptop and grunted as an indication for Steph to continue.

"You know how I told Jer we had to stop kissing?" Jane nodded. "Well, we've been pretty good at not making out, but now he's holding my hand!"

"Is he holding your hand or are you holding his hand?" Jane gave Steph a knowing look.

"Fine, it's both of us, but still! Holding hands!"

"I will never understand why you're so okay with kissing but won't hold people's hands."

"Holding hands shows possession! It makes sense."

"No it doesn't," Eve piped in from the kitchen. Lesley nodded.

"Maybe not to you, but it does to me." Steph folded her arms defensively.

"OK, but if it's both of you then why don't you just give in and date him?" Jane leaned her head back against the couch. Eve and Lesley voiced their agreement.

"You know why," Steph said to Jane. She knew Will. She should know what Steph would be giving up if she got serious with someone else.

Jane sighed. "OK, you have a point."

"What if you set Jer up with someone you think he'll hit it off with?" Eve suggested. "He's said there just isn't anyone he gets along with as well as you. Do you have any friends that he might get along well with?"

Steph thought about her friends that Jer didn't already know as her roommates moved on to new subjects. Someone who was kind of nerdy, good with awkward people, enjoyed discussing movies and shows. Steph mentally flipped through her friends list until she narrowed it down to one person. She got out her phone

Steph: Would you be interested on going on a blind date with a friend of mine? He's very nice and you have a lot of similar interests.

Natalie: Is this the guy you've been stressing over for the last couple months?

S: ...guilty. But he really is a good guy and I do think you'd at least have fun!

N: Fine.  But this means I get to pick the next anime we watch

S: Deal

---

Natalie carried some snacks into her living room. Steph was sitting on the floor, getting the next episode of Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood set up on Natalie's laptop.

"You and Jer went on a date last week, right?" Steph asked. "How'd it go?"

"He's nice and we had fun, but I really don't think there's going to be a second date," Natalie said as she made herself comfortable on the floor next to Steph. "Sorry to ruin your plan."

"Thanks for entertaining me," Steph said with a guilty chuckle. "I knew it was a long shot. I'm thinking I'm going to just tell him that I need some space."