Page 97 of Phishing for Love
“There’s a school of thought that says having fantasies is normal,” Aaron points out. “Still, if you’re in a committed relationship it can be a thin and dangerous line.”
It’s like we’re both tiptoeing our way through landmine territory, wondering which step will be the one to set off an explosion.
“Maybe everyone’s mind wanders,” I say after a moment, “but the important part is not to act on those thoughts.”
“What are you trying to say here, Tess?”
It takes everything in me not to flinch from the intensity on his face.
I swallow. My words come out in a whisper. “I’m saying I’m not much better than Nathan.”
He goes absolutely still. “Was your mind wandering?”
“A little.”
His throat works. “Who did it wander to?”
I don’t answer. Instead, I stare at my hot chocolate like I can read my future in the dark liquid.
Aaron rubs a hand down his face. “There’s a difference between thinking about something and actually doing something.”
He’s steered us away from the landmine. Relief and disappointment war within me.
“I didn’tdoanything,” I reiterate.
“No, you didn’t.”
“Still, I can’t help feeling it was wrong.Iwas wrong.”
He doesn’t respond right away. Finally, he says, “I get it.”
“You do?”
“Yes.” His eyes capture mine. “If you’re with me, I don’t want you thinking about another man.”
The air leaves my throat.
We’ve moved right back into danger territory.
It alarms me that we’ve reached this point in the conversation so quickly. I’ve broken up with Nathan, but I can’t shrug away the feeling that talking like this is wrong. That I’m betraying Nathan in some way. The feeling is illogical, but it lingers.
And then Aaron takes a deliberate step onto the landmine.
“My thoughts have wandered too,” he admits quietly. “And there’s no way Nathan would have liked what I was imagining.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
[MESSAGES]
Aaron:
Tess:Is this text for someone else?
Aaron:Nope.
Tess:I think you used the wrong emoji.
Aaron:I didn’t.
