Page 25 of No Going Back

“They’ll get the help they need.” She sensed his mind had wandered elsewhere, but she decided against asking him about it. If he wanted to share, he would.

Mira took another sip, gathering courage to say what she came to say.

“Ty, I asked you here because I thought we should talk.”

“OK.” His attention returned to her as he sipped his coffee.

“I need you to hear me out before you say anything.” Mira absently stirred her latte, nerves getting the better of her.

“Babe, whatever you want to say, say it.” Tyler’s voice was soft.

Mira raised her eyes to his, saw the warmth and concern there. The way he called her babe, that simple endearment, made her melt. Did a friend call you babe? Forcing herself to breathe, she began.

“So, about the other night.”

Tyler kept eye contact, but a smile slowly spread on his lips.

“When we started this, whatever this is...” She waved her hand. “I meant what I said that I wasn’t looking for anything long term. My career’s important to me, like yours is to you. I thought we could keep this casual, no strings, and stay friends, but now that we’ve, well you know—” She paused. Tyler frowned.

“Mira—”

“No, Ty, I’m not done. Let me finish, please.”

Tyler nodded.

“I wasn’t expecting to feel about you the way I do. After the other night, everything’s changed. I’ve never felt this way about any man before and to be honest, it scares the crap out of me.” Damn, her eyes were filling up. She blinked back the tears and continued, needing to get it all out.

“Tyler, I wanted the other night. I thought maybe I could get you out of my system. That didn’t happen. It wasn’t just sex for me. It meant something. I want to be with you, and not just casually. I don’t know if you feel the same, or what you want. Maybe this is one-sided. I just, Christ, I don’t know, I guess I need to know.”

Mira stopped. Tyler was staring at her, his smile gone. She bit her lip to hold back the tears. Fuck, this had been a bad idea. He reached out and took her hands in his.

“Mira, I want us to always be friends.”

Oh shit, that was not a good start. She stared down at their joined hands.

“The other night was amazing, you are amazing,” he continued.

There was a but coming, she could sense it.

“But I can’t be in a relationship with you.”

Oh, God, he didn’t want her. While she had known it was a possibility, hearing him say it hurt way more than she thought it would. She pulled her hands away, furiously blinking to stop the tears.

“It’s OK, like I said. I just needed to know, and now I do.” What an idiot, to think it may have meant something to him.

“Mira, I like you a lot, more than I’ve liked any other woman, it’s just—” He paused as if searching for the right word. “Complicated.”

“Complicated?” What the fuck was that supposed to mean? “What’s so complicated about two people that like each other?” She tried but failed to hide the hurt in her voice.

“I’m not the man you think I am.”

Mira shook her head. “Whatever, Ty. I got the message loud and clear.”

“You’re upset. I’m sorry. I asked you, Mira. I asked if you were sure. We agreed it was a one-time thing. I would never have carried on if I’d known you were expecting more, because I know I can’t give you that.”

Jeez, his voice held a touch of anger, taking her completely off guard. Mira stood.

“Don’t worry, you didn’t do anything I didn’t want. It was stupid of me to think it would mean anything else. But it happened and there’s no going back, so I guess we’ll just have to deal with it.”

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