“Sometimes I don’t, either. Being around you is complicated. There have been other women in my life, but I’ve only ever loved you. So seeing you now, grown-up, beautiful, successful, it’s intriguing. I like spending time with you. The other night, at the movies...” He paused, not sure how to explain.

“Let’s just say past and present got a little blurry, and I reacted to that.” He drew in a breath. “But I meant what I said, Reggie. I can’t get involved. I won’t. There’s too much risk.”

She tilted her head slightly, her shiny hair swinging with the movement.

“Yesterday you said it was about Harrison. He was the reason you weren’t getting married.”

“Yes.”

“So something happened with him and a woman you were dating.”

“Yes.”

“But you’re not going to tell me what.”

“It’s not my story to tell.”

He could see the questions forming, but she didn’t ask any of them, for which he was grateful.

She pressed her lips together. “It makes me sad that you would think I would hurt him.”

“I don’t. This isn’t about you. When it happened, I promised him I would never put him in that position again. I promised there would just be the two of us until he was old enough to take care of himself. He believed me.”

“That was the wrong promise to make. It puts too much pressure on him.” She shook her head. “But not the point, right?”

“I’m sorry,” he repeated.

“Do you understand you behaved ridiculously and that the memory of it will haunt you forever?”

He held in a grin. “Yes, I do.”

“Okay, then I forgive you. I’m sorry about Harrison, and I really want to find whoever that woman is and go after her in a way that leaves scars.”

“You wouldn’t enjoy prison.”

“No, but I would feel better about the world, so there’s that. People shouldn’t hurt children, ever. There’s no excuse.”

He appreciated her energy on the topic. It was how he’d felt, as well. Being able to share the conflicting emotions only added to her appeal.

“Have dinner with me.”

The words came without warning. Toby watched Reggie stare at him, her brows drawn together in obvious confusion.

“You’re sending some seriously mixed messages,” she told him.

“I am.”

“Why?”

He wasn’t sure if she was asking why he was sending mixed messages or why he wanted to have dinner with her, but it didn’t matter.

“I like you and I want to spend time with you.”

“But we’re not having sex and we’re not getting married.” She smiled. “Just to clarify your position.”

“I’m open to sex.”

“Most men are.”

“I think my interest in you is a lot more about who you are than anything else.”