Page 123 of Getting Down to Business

“I haven’t been with anyone but you. I stayed at Trent’s and the work thing wasn’t a work thing, but it wasn’t a date thing either.”

“Oh.” She frowned.

“We promised each other no bullshit and it’s all we’ve been doing. Is it wrong for me to want to be with you? Why can’t we try? If it doesn’t work out—”

“It won’t work out and I’ll end up hurting you. I don’t want that. You shouldn’t feel bad about what you want. You haven’t done anything wrong.” She sighed. “It’s normal for people to want things to progress, but I can’t do it. I thought being up front would keep us from being sucked down that path, but things have gotten too complicated.”

He could tell she truly didn’t want this. Not like he wanted her. She wasn’t capable of anything more than convenient sex and a place to live with a few laughs and dinners thrown in.

How could that be?

He remembered the way she’d looked at him on the dock by the lake. There was something there. He’d felt it.

Hadn’t he?

The familiar doubts crowded in. He had been pretty sure Mandy had feelings for him too. He obviously wasn’t the best judge. He couldn’t trust himself.

“So I was going to make Hamburger Helper. You want some?” she asked lightly.

“No. I–I’m not hungry. Thanks anyway.” He went to his room and hid there for the rest of the night.

At eleven, Alyssa tapped on his door.

“Gray?” She tested the doorknob, which was locked. “Can I come in for a second?”

“No.” That tiny word nearly ripped him in two as it came out. He couldn’t do this anymore. It was time to let go.

“Okay. Good night.”

She’d been upfront from the beginning, and his heart hadn’t been paying attention. His heart was paying attention now.