“You didn’t waste my time. I really enjoyed getting to know you. You’re funny, intelligent, and it sounds like you know what you want in life. It just seems like you don’t want anything more than a friendship.” The stroke of his thumb on the top of my hand calms my nerves and slows down every thought in my head. “Plus, you talked a lot about your friend, August.”
Something shatters—a plate—and I jump in my seat.
I close my eyes for a second while I shake my head. “August? I don’t remember talking about him that much. I talked about all my friends.”
He rocks his head from side to side. “Yeah, you did, but August’s name came up the most. After the third date, I kind of put the pieces together.”
If I could shrink into myself and hide, I would. Transform into a tiny little ball and roll right out of here. I guess I didn’t realize how much I talked about August. I mean, he has been on my mind a lot lately, but still.
Now I feel like an asshole.
“I’m sorry.” I deflate in my chair.
“Don’t apologize.” He lets go of my hand and sits back in his seat. “He sounds pretty cool, and you guys have a lot of history from what I’ve learned.”
Okay, so I used him as a therapist. That’s just great. And he’s been paying for the dinners. So, I’m an assholeandcrazy.
Brushing my feelings off—for now—I shrug. “Yeah, we’re friends, but it’s not like we’re close or anything.”
He tilts his head and squints. I wonder what he’s diagnosing me with. Probably denial of my feelings for August. I mean, they’ve always been there, but I’ve always run away from them.
“Well, it sounds like you may have a crush on him.”
This pulls a laugh out of me, my shoulders bouncing with genuine laughter.
“It’s true.”
I dip my head, covering my face with a hand while my hair tumbles forward and over my shoulders. “Oh god. Please don’t try to play matchmaker. That would be so weird.”
Tyler holds up his hands. “I’m just saying. I’m the type of person who, if I really want something, goes for it. And if it doesn’t work, at least I know I’ve tried. You’re holding yourself back from a lot of things.”
“Ouch.”
“You have a lot of aspirations and dreams. Whether that be career, relationship, friendship, whatever. But you’re not acting on any of them. You mentioned that you’re approaching your thirties and haven’t done anything for yourself.I think it’s time to break that cycle.”
I huff out a laugh. “I knew I shouldn’t have said yes to a date after you told me you were a therapist.”
He laughs, shaking his head in shame. “Yeah, I gotta work on that. It’s a flaw of mine.”
He grabs the check, and I try to beat him to it.
“Don’t even think about it.” He reaches into his back pocket, taking out his wallet and his card.
“Oh, come on. At least let me pay for the sessions.”
A humorous sigh escapes him. “Honestly, Riley, whoever ends up being the love of your life, they’re going to be very lucky to have someone like you.”
“Earth to Riley.”
I blink a few times before drawing my attention back to Ellie. “I’m sorry, what?”
“How was your date with Tyler last night?” Ellie pushes her light brown hair behind her ear and takes a bite of her burger.
Ellie’s been my best friend since we were in the sandbox. She likes to tell the story about how I ‘forced’ her to bemy best friend. Last time I checked, she’s the one who forced me to share my gummy bears with her.
“Oh, it was fine.” I inspect my manicured nails. “We decided it’s best to be friends.”
“Aw, I really liked him. What happened?”
