"You don't like Venti?" Otis said, his heart sinking.

Jeremy nodded. "He always seemed like a vain guy who knows he's hot and only cares about himself. I mean, the guy didn't even recognize me when he met us at the restaurant."

"In his defense," Otis said, folding his arms across his chest, "he remembered you when you ordered your latte."

"He always called me 'Jere'. I hated that nickname in high school."

Otis frowned. He didn't expect this kind of confession when the suggestion of another double date came up. "Was that date with him and Art so bad that you just can't stand the sight of him?"

Jeremy shrugged, avoiding the otter's gaze. "He used to look at me in Frappuchinos as if he were undressing me with his eyes. I hated that."

"Did you ever talk to him about the nickname or the leering?"

Jeremy shook his head. "No."

Otis reached down to cup Jeremy's chin, lifting his head up until Jeremy made eye contact. "Did he call you Jere durin' our double date?"

"No."

"Did he leer at you at any time during our date?"

A pause, then "No," Jeremy said quietly, almost as if ashamed.

Otis then released Jeremy's chin, folding his arms. "Seems like Venti did some changes while you were away, huh?"

"I guess, but it doesn't change the fact I don't like him. He's vain, he's stubborn, and he can't make a Chai Latte to save his life."

Where was all this bitterness coming from? Otis didn't...no, couldn't understand why Jeremy was acting like this. "Jeremy, I'm tryin' to see your point of view here, because I'm a bit vain, I'm way stubborn, and I can't make a Chai Latte either."

"That's different. You're not trained to make them. He is."

"He also admitted that he was bad at makin' them. So what?"

"I just don't like him, okay?" Jeremy turned his back to Otis with arms folded. "End of discussion.

Cripes, some people just can't let go of a grudge. I'm glad I learned how specist Jeremy is now instead of later, thought Otis.

It would make the return to the dating pool that much easier.

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