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waste your life?”
    Shaking her head, she backed away, anger flowing through her veins. “You really don’t understand me, do you? You never did.” A bitter laugh escaped her lips. “If you think I’ll be some trophy wife, we’re through.”
    “You’ll throw your perfect future with me away to keep your silly, miniscule dreams?”
    “Yeah, we’re through. Get out.”
    “I’ll change your mind.”
    “No. You won’t. I said, get out!”
    He left, and never looked back.
    A week later, he replaced her with a woman she considered her friend. And a week after, Leslie drove the final nail into the coffin that was her relationship with Paul.
    One day after class, Leslie stopped her, and coyly asked, “You aren’t upset I’m with Paul now?”
    She was, but mostly with herself for not figuring out what a self-serving prick Paul was all along. She refused to give either one of them the satisfaction of her discomfort.
    With a smile, she shook her head. “I’m sure you’ll make each other very happy.”
    “Then, will you be my maid of honor?” She flashed a ring with a giant rock.
    It wasn’t pain that hit her, but a void. She felt nothing. “I’m happy for you, Leslie, and I wish you two the best, but I won’t be going to your wedding.” She walked away and made it a point to avoid both of them after that.
    Feeling lonely, which she would never admit to her mother, and only because Cherish was away, she took a sip of her beer. It was time to push the past away, and focus on work.
    My Darkest Days played quietly on her laptop. She had a system—grade and file. In no time, she was too focused to be melancholy.
    “Hey, Mila.” Kyle’s deep velvety voice startled her.
    Jumping, she swore under her breath.
    “Sorry.” He chuckled, the sound tantalizing, and like usual, made her wonder what his breath would feel like against her ear.
    Trying to ignore the desire that only appeared in Kyle’s presence, she replied, “Uh, hi. What’s up?”
    Do I really sound that moronic?
    “I noticed you out here and was curious if you were alone? And wondered if you were hungry?”
    “Cherish is at Dee’s. I have the whole night to tackle the never ending work of a teacher—grading papers.” She avoided the second question altogether.
    At least until he gave her a pleading look. “Hungry?”
    She felt silly for hesitating. There he was, perfectly sweet, respectful, and he definitely fit all her wildest fantasies. It wouldn’t kill her to get to know her neighbor. He was a gentleman, and had yet to do anything more than some mild flirting. Where was the harm in a friendly meal?
    “What did you have in mind?”
    His eyes sparkled with pleasure. “I was thinking of heading down to the diner. A friend owns it. They have great food.”
    “Sure. Let me clean up.” She quickly sorted the papers into the proper folders before shutting the lid, closed her laptop, and set it on top of the plastic filing crate.
    He cleared his throat. “Mind if I join you over there?”
    “Not at all.” She picked up her beer and thumbed the lip of the bottle.
    When she turned around, Kyle had closed the distance and wore an amused tilt to his full lips. “Guinness? You drink Guinness?”
    Mila let out a soft laugh. “I do. I don’t drink much, but Cherish is away, so I had one.” In fact, only half, and she decided to finish it off. Tipping the bottle back, she drank the rest and set it down.
    Kyle watched her like a predator. The heat in his gaze sent a shiver down her spine. His voice, though casual, was seductive. “Maybe later we can have another. If you’d like.”
    “We’ll see. I don’t usually go to bars, don’t go out much at all, really. Dinner is fine, and if they serve beer there, I might consider a second.”
    “They do, and that works. Why no bars though?” he asked, obviously curious.
    “I have Cherish, and work for the school district. Last thing I want to do is give anyone the wrong impression.”
    “Makes