Author's note - thanks for the nice reviews on my first story. This one is longer, and this chapter just sets the stage with a little backstory. It has a mature theme in this particular chapter but its mostly just alluded to, nothing explicit.

It ended not with a bang, but with a whisper. Literally.

Mindy and Cliff had been dating a few months, which in Mindy time would normally mean a serious relationship. Cliff was possibly the best boyfriend Mindy had ever had - he was kind and honest, he didn't cheat, he cared about her wants and needs. He even said "I love you" first. First, and last - it freaked Mindy out and signaled the end of yet another relationship. For as wonderful a boyfriend Cliff was for Mindy, she was a terrible girlfriend, and she knew it. She felt terribly guilty. "I really am too picky!" She though to herself, regretfully. There was no reason for her not to be happy with Cliff.

Well, maybe one reason.

The worst part was that she couldn't turn to her best friend to whine and/or ask for advice (not that she would actually take it!) While Danny certainly liked to give advice, mostly unsolicited, this topic was not only too sensitive, but way, way too awkward for her to approach him with... even if he wasn't the problem.

You see, while Cliff treated Mindy like a queen, buying her shoes and taking her on weekend trips, he was unable to provide one thing that Mindy really needed. And it wasn't like he didn't try - oh no, in fact he often tried a little too hard. Mindy was not as good of an actress as she thought and Cliff definitely caught on, leading to more awkwardness and effort on his part. Finally one evening he managed to achieve his goal, but what he didn't know was he had a little help in that department. Mindy couldn't help herself, and from that point on, she was guilt ridden. She was, in effect, cheating on her man... with another man... in her mind.

It wasn't that Cliff wasn't sexy, or skilled, not at all. There was just no chemistry, no passion. No HEAT. And for all the great things about Cliff, she couldn't get past this, especially when there as someone with whom she got all hot and bothered over, even when he went there. "It isn't fair to Cliff," thought Mindy, and she selfishly thought it wasn't fair to herself either.

And of course, it was very unfair to Danny, even though he was unaware.

So Mindy worked up her courage, and told Cliff goodbye. Her timing was not the best, as Cliff had come over after a late night at the office, seeking a little special relaxation. Mindy just couldn't do it. She couldn't spend one more night in the arms, and the bed, of a man who loved her while she had to picture someone else to get through it. So when he was nuzzling her neck and whispering sweet nothings, she had a little outburst. Like pulling off a band aid, she had to do it quickly. And unfortunately, loudly.

"Stop, Cliff. Stop. I'm so sorry. You are so wonderful but I don't love you I'm so sorry please don't hate me!" Mindy expected an argument, or questions, or anger. Of course she didn't mention anything that would hurt him worse, but Cliff was a lawyer. His powers of deduction were impressive and he had already pieced a few things together from her recent behavior. Like the time she yelled out "DANNY!" in the throes of passion, even though she tried to cover it up by telling him it was DANDY and that she always used old fashioned language in bed. He had pretended to buy it then, but deep down, he knew. He had suspected even before they started dating that there was something going on under the surface with those two, but he really liked Mindy, even with all her quirks.

So Cliff accepted her decision and told her he hoped she would be happy and hugged her and left. Easiest breakup ever. Mindy still felt terrible, but relieved. She would miss Cliff, and his kindness, but she knew he deserved someone who could them give themselves fully to him. She could buy her own Ferragamos anyway, and it was easier than having to sneak back and exchange them for the right size.

There was just one more little issue to be resolved. One more sweaty, controlling, unbearably sexy, Italian issue. Mindy was certain that would not go quite as smoothly.