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This was turning into a ridiculous conversation. I didn’t want to know about Tyler’s famous exploits. But my stubbornness to win the argument kicked in. “Well, I’ve personally met the bitch you brought to the school carnival, and then there was the nitwit at the hospital fundraiser. There are a couple of nurses I’ve overheard bragging about their dinner dates with you, but how they never heard from you afterward. I also happened to overhear you at work arguing with a woman who obviously expected more than just one night with you.”

He clicked off a finger for each woman I mentioned. “So for the sake of perhaps five women, you’ve tried and condemned me for a womanizer? Without even knowing my side of the story?” He shook his head at me while he frowned. “Wow, Jen. That’s pretty harsh.”

“It shows a pattern of behavior,” I defended.

“Well, counselor, I’m not sure why I care, but let me offer up a defense. Sophia, the bitch from the carnival, was a mistake, I admit. She was beautiful, and I was lonely. If you remember, I didn’t put up with her attitude and took her home. What did you call the next one? A nit-wit? She’s a nice girl, although a bit too young and immature for me. She also happens to be the little sister of a colleague who had bought a ticket for the fundraiser, but he’d had an emergency come up at the last minute and couldn’t go. His little sister still wanted to attend, and he asked me if I would escort her because he knew I would treat her like a big brother and not hit on her.”

I grimaced. Obviously, his friend had more faith in Tyler than I did.

“As for anyone I’ve had dinner with from work,” he continued, “it was only in the form of a group of co-workers going out for a meal after work. Dating co-workers always get too messy. You see how crazy it is without any real involvement. They might have twisted it, even lied, to make it appear as something else. I can’t answer for their motivation. Not that I haven’t had the opportunity, but I have never dated or slept with anyone from the hospital.” He reached out and clasped my hand. “Until last night, Jen. There’s only been you.” When I looked at him, the sincerity in his eyes held mine. “And not because you begged so prettily, but because I wanted to be with you, more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. And I still do.”

My heart raced at his words. It seemed he’d broken his rules for me. Maybe we were on more equal footing than I knew.

“What about the argument I heard between you and that woman? It seemed pretty clear you have a one-night rule.”

He seemed puzzled, so I described the situation. “I’m sorry. I knew it wasn’t any of my business, but anyone walking by could have heard you. I just happened to be the one.”

He frowned and for a second he seemed angry, but he quickly cleared his expression back to neutral. “That’s more complicated, but it isn’t what you think. That’s all I’ll say for now, except that I’ve never slept with her.”

There was obviously more to the story, but since it seemed Tyler was trying to work out a truce with me, I didn’t want to push him further. I understood secrets. I offered my own olive branch. “Perhaps the rumors are a bit exaggerated,” I conceded. “But you have to admit you don’t exactly scream relationship, either. I mean, I’ve known you for just about a year, and you’ve never had a girlfriend. It’s not like you’re ugly, or have some communicable disease, so I have to assume it’s a character flaw.”

A huge grin broke out across his face. “Maybe I’m just too demanding or hard to please,” he quipped. Mortified, I remembered what prompted those words last night.

“Touché, Dr. Cranston.” I couldn’t stop myself from responding to his teasing smile with a small one of my own.

“So,” he tapped my hand he still held with his thumb, “about our plans for today, will you trust me?”

I still hesitated. I suspected I’d have a good time with Tyler if I just let myself relax. The more I reflected on it, the more I realized it wasn’t Tyler I didn’t trust. I didn’t trust myself. I didn’t trust that I could keep him at a friendly, but safe distance. Last night was the perfect evidence. Somehow, I suspected I would get sucked in and fall for his wit, good looks, and the illusion that he cared about me. The problem with illusions is just that; they aren’t real, and often it’s hard to tell the difference.

“Come on, what have you got to lose?” Tyler asked. Then he whispered the ultimate challenge I suspected he knew would get the response he wanted. “I dare you.”

I had never been good at refusing a dare. And if nothing else, I owed it to him to help restore our truce since I was the one who had made it worse. And what could this hurt?

You could fall for him, and one or both of you is going to get hurt.

Maybe, just one more time, I would allow Tyler to fill an emptiness that no one else could reach.

I squashed the inner voice.

I nodded.

I surrendered to the illusion of charm known as Tyler.