Page 33 of My Single Dad SEAL

"I am not on medications right now, spare me the righteous acts."

"I didn't say anything," he feigned innocence.

"You didn't have to," I replied to him.

I decided to put what Marcus said into consideration to do exactly as he said and because I was dying to know why she denied me. I was dying to know why she refused to go out with me, why it seemed like we took many steps backward just by me asking her out.

How was it that I was ready to give her what she wanted and she felt like that was the perfect time to step away from me?

* * *

The next dayI was standing there before her in my office with my arms crossed over my chest.

"I asked you out on a date and you said no and I understand that when I asked you out, it was in the heat of the moment and probably your emotions were all over the place, so this is me coming out again to ask you out. Would you please go out and eat with me, Katrina?"

She was silent for a very long time, but eventually, she spoke.

"I said no then George, and I meant it. My answer is still no."

A little frustrated, I asked, "Can I at least know why you keep saying no? I thought you wanted this."

"I do," she replied.

"Then it doesn't make any sense that you denied me."

"You are my best friend's dad-"

"That is an obvious fact that has been established. My convictions about that were out the window a long time ago. Is that truly the reason why? Are you lying to me?"

"We can't just pretend like what happened that day on the beach didn't.”

"I am not trying to. That is far from what I am doing."

"You shouldn't have touched me that way. It was wrong," she stated.

I knew it was, but I didn't care.

"You are mad that I touched you and that I am Lily's father."

"It is part of the reason why. I was angry at that moment that day on the beach but it put my head in a clear space to be able to tell you no. If I wasn't angry, I probably would have told you yes, especially after what happened but I am glad I said no. I don't want you to ask me out just because you want to sleep with me. I don't want you to ask me out just because you feel that that is what I want. I want you to truly mean it. I want you to ask me out because you like me or because you want to spend time with me, you want to get to know me, you want to build something with me if I'm going to be risking everything to be with you, my relationship with Lily and more. For us to be together it has to be worth it."

"I did mean it when I asked you out, Kat."

"No, you did not. You asked me right after I accused you of being with Melissa. It didn't seem like you put any thought into it whatsoever. And then you touched me as if to prove that you had the power over me."

"I did put some thought into it. And me touching you had nothing to do with proving anything. When I said it then, it might have been in the heat of the moment, but I don't say things that I don't mean. I've had time to think about it and I am still here asking you out. What makes you feel like I'm asking you out just because I want to sleep with you?"

"Because you told me yourself that you don't do commitment."

"And you told me to take a risk. You told me to try and this is me trying. Why wouldn't you reciprocate it?"

"This is turning into an argument and I don't want that, George. I am going to go, okay? My decision is made. This was a bad idea to begin with, and what happened that day and now just proved it. We should stay away from each other. It doesn't matter that we are attracted to each other. It doesn't matter that the chemistry is there. I think it's just better for both of us to stay away from each other. Let's keep this as a work relationship."

I listened to her, not interrupting her even though every word cut through me like a knife.

"Is that what you want?" I asked her.

"That is not what I want, but that is what needs to be done."

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