Page 56 of Tempting the Heart

Just speaking the words made my stomach clench and tie into a million knots. The idea of Tyler kissing anyone but me made me want to get sick.

Yet, I knew the emotions threading through me weren’t based on logic or practicality. They were rooted in some fictional idea that I’d based off a teenage boy.

Sure, Tyler was kind, loyal, and far more compassionate than I’d ever imagined, but he was also a sworn bachelor by all accounts, and we’d both agreed not to move forward with anything.

He was free to go out with Bethany or anyone else who wanted to hang out with him.

With that last thought, I knew it was time to drop the idea of an unattainable man. I’d played pretend long enough, and it was time to start living my life in reality, not some fanciful version based on fate and whimsical notions planted by feelings.

“Just one thing, though,” Brad said, frowning.

“What now?” we all groaned.

“Tyler never knew the earrings you wore were mayflowers.”

I cocked my head slightly as my brows furrowed. “Then why does he call me his Mayflower?”

Brad clicked his tongue. “Beats me.”

Chapter Sixteen

Tyler

“I think your dad would benefit from at-home sessions,” Bethany said, glancing around the café. We were at a place called Milo’s, just down the street from Mae’s. Our table overlooked the sidewalk, not the water, but the place swarmed with tourists and locals.

I laughed, shaking my head. “I wouldn’t do that to my worst enemy.”

Bethany smiled and shrugged. “I’ll confess. Your dad is a tough nut to crack, and I tend to ignore everything that comes out of his lips, but it’s my job to make sure he can walk as well as he could before the surgery. I don’t mind throwing in a few sessions at his house since you won’t be around to bring him in.”

I nodded, feeling an uneasiness slide through me. “I changed my flight to next Friday. How about we judge after a few more sessions? It was probably foolish of me to think he’d be ready to do them at home after three sessions.”

My dad had his third session today at Bethany’s office, and she’d suggested a late lunch after I’d dropped my dad off at the house and after her last client.

I hadn’t thought much of it until she showed up in a completely different outfit, ordered wine, and laughed at my lame jokes.

Bethany took a sip of white wine and grinned. “Okay. We’ll regroup after next week.” She propped her elbows on the table, revealing her low-cut dress, and I realized where she saw this heading. “I’m happy you’re staying here on the island.”

I cleared my throat and glanced around the café. The place seemed to be a cross between a café and a bar, but the more I settled in, I realized it was probably a bar.

Judging by where Bethany saw this afternoon going, I didn’t like how close this establishment was to Mae’s, either. This entire encounter was designed to implode.

I brought my attention back to Bethany. “I wish I could say it’s good to be back, but being here under these circumstances hasn’t been the greatest.”

She pursed her lips into a playful pout. “I bet I could make your time here more enjoyable.”

My shoulders slumped with the proposition. The only person who could make it better was tucked away in her coffee shop with a brother who had eyes in the back of his head and a family I didn’t want to make mad.

Not to mention, I knew whatever Mae and I felt wouldn’t be able to move past the caution tape.

“Hey, so I’m not exactly looking.” My lips pressed into a straight line.

Her brows shot up. “I thought you were single.”

“No. I am.” I nodded, thinking about Mae’s beautiful green eyes and how I wish those were staring at me. “I just have a lot going on, and I don’t think I can offer much of anything.”

“What if you don’t have to offer anything, and I just offer a little fun? Make your night less lonely?” A shot of lust sparked through her gaze.

I should be all over this suggestion. Most men would jump over the table and drop to their knees. What was wrong with me?

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