“That works out nicely,” Tyler said with a smile. “I heard you recently opened your ownw firm. It’d be great <b>to </b>connect and maybe stay in touch. Last time we met, it was a bit rushed. I didn’t get the chance to get your number.”
It was a reasonable request, and Charlotte had no reason to refuse. They moved in the same social circles, and it wasn’t unusual to exchange contact information.
“Sure,” she said.
After they exchanged contacts and Charlotte slipped her phone back into her purse, Tyler suddenly asked, “Miss Riley, <b>if </b>you don’t mind me asking… is your friend Lena Zeller single?”
Charlotte blinked, caught off guard.
That was a pretty abrupt change of topic.
“She is,” she replied.
Tyler visibly rxed, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Charlotte gave him a suspicious look. “Do you like her or something?”
“I actually met her years ago, back when I was still in college,” Tyler said, his tone softening. “I was over at Ian’s ce, and she had juste home from school. Honestly, I liked her from the moment I saw her. But she was still in high school back then, SO I kept it to myself.”
Charlotte was a little stunned. “Love at first sight?”
S
“You could call it that,” Tyler replied. “But I never told her how I felt. She was too young, and I didn’t think it would be appropriate. I left the country not long after. Now that I’m back and she’s still single, I’d like to try pursuing her.”
Charlotte raised an eyebrow. “I couldn’t tell you liked her at all during that dinner.”
Tyler gave a smallugh. “It’s been years since Ist saw her. I might’ve looked calm on the outside, but I was actually really nervous.<b>” </b>
“Does she know you’re interested?”
“No. I wasn’t sure if she was seeing anyone. And judging by ourst meeting, I don’t think she remembers me at all. I didn’t want toe on too strong, so I figured I’d get to know her first and see where things go.”
Charlotte looked down thoughtfully.
Tyler noticed her hesitation. <b>“</b><b>Is </b>something wrong?”
She looked up at him. <b>“</b>This might sound intrusive, but since I’m one of her closest friends, I need to ask, Tyler, h rtionships have you had? And how many of them got… physical
Tyler froze.
It was an incredibly personal question, and honestly a bit out of line.
any
Charlotte exined calmly, “Lena has never dated anyone before she’spletely new to rtionships. If you’ve had a long history or aplicated past<b>, </b><b>I </b>just don’t think you’re <b>the </b>right person for her.”
Tyler frowned slightly but answered, “I understand. But I’in not the kind of guy who ys around. Over the years<b>, </b>I’ve only had <b>one </b>serious rtionship.”
Charlotte’s expression tightened. “So you had feelings for Lena but still dated someone else?”
“You’re misunderstanding me,” Tyler said seriously. <b>“</b><b>I </b>did like her at <b>first</b><b>, </b><b>but </b>she was still a kid <b>then</b><b>, </b><b>and </b>we <b>didn’t </b>stay <b>in </b>touch. Eventually<b>, </b>that <b>feeling </b><b>faded</b>. Later on<b>, </b><b>I </b>met someone else and we had a serious rtionship<b>. </b><b>I </b>wasn’t <b>thinking </b><b>about </b>
Lena while I was with her.”
He looked her straight in the eye. “Miss Riley, I don’t jump from one person to another. I take rtionships seriously<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Charlotte’s voice <b>was </b>calm. <b>“</b>I’m just asking. Whether she epts you or not<b>, </b>that’s entirely up to her.”