Page 88 of Firecracker

“You don’t need a man, you know.”

Mila straightened. “I know that. Don’t think I’m one of those women who thinks she’s not worthy unless she has a man. It’s not that.”

“Then what is it?”

“I’m not sure.” Her shoulders slumped again. “I just always pictured my lifewithsomeone.”

“Yeah. I get it.”

Mila’s bottom lip pushed out. “I’m sorry. This must seem really trivial to you after what you went through.”

“Of course not. Heartbreak is never trivial.”

Mila nodded. “The thing is…I don’t think I’m really heartbroken. Guess I didn’t care as much about Garth as I did about the idea of having a boyfriend.”

“Well, that’s pretty insightful for someone who just guzzled down half a bottle of wine.”

“You exaggerate. That wasn’t half. Maybe a third.” She pushed her empty glass across the counter and Arden filled it up. “Where’s that Jägermeister?”

* * *

“I can’t go out with you tonight.”

Tyler frowned as he carried a sheet of drywall into Arden’s apartment on Thursday. “What? Why?”

“It’s just not a good idea.” She twisted her hands together, her stomach knotted. “I talked to Jamie about it—”

“Jesus.”

“He’s my brother. Anyway, he made me realize it’s not a good idea.”

“What the fuck?” Tyler dropped the drywall sheet to the drop cloth laid out on the floor, propping it against a wall. “Seriously? He talked you out of it?”

“No! No, he didn’t. It’s just that…I told you before…I’m not ready for a relationship.”

“I told you, I’m not looking for a relationship either.”

“Tyler. You said you don’t lie.”

His mouth tightened, then relaxed. He shook his head in mild exasperation. “It’s one date, Arden.”

When he put it that way…it did make it seem like she was being a little ridiculous. She nibbled her bottom lip. Tyler held her gaze steadily. “Okay,” she finally said. “Fine. We’ll go out tonight. Just one date.”

“Don’t sound so enthusiastic.”

“I’m sorry.” She closed her eyes and sighed. “I don’t know how to do this. I haven’t been on a date in almost ten years.”

Tyler made a rough noise. “Yeah.”

“I didn’t mean to be insulting.”

“Okay. Well. Good. I made a dinner reservation for seven o’clock.”

“Okay. What should I wear? I mean, is it a fancy place?”

“Not super fancy. A little bistro not far from here.”

“Okay.” She hesitated. “Do you need help today?”

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