"I don't think we should keep seeing each other."

Angela let out the breath she'd been holding and waited for Peter's reaction.

Now that she'd said it, she realized how little her heart had been in this relationship to begin with. She wasn't looking for someone else. Not right now. Not someone with a future in mind. Peter was a distraction and companion. His expression told her that he knew this, and he'd stuck with her anyway.

"I want to say this is sudden, but I know it's not."

She bowed her head. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have let this go on as long as it did. I do enjoy spending time with you. I just don't see this going beyond friendship. I don't want to keep being the one dragging my feet. I don't know when or if I'll ever be ready... You deserve someone who's going to love you wholeheartedly."

Peter gave a soft smile. "Don't beat yourself up over this. It's my own fault for thinking this could go anywhere. Even before you told me about Tony, I knew there was something holding you back."

All she could do was fumble her fingers.

"Hey," he said, tipping her head up to look at him again. "No hard feelings."

"You've been so good to me," she replied. "Too good."

"I'm not going to pretend that I don't wish things could have worked out. I think you're terrific."

"I don't feel so terrific right now."

"I knew I was taking a chance with you. I'm glad I did because I think we've had some good times together. Like I said, I've known for a while that your mind was elsewhere. Maybe I should have stepped back sooner."

"I'm glad you didn't," she admitted. "I've appreciated the time we've spent. And so much of me wants to see if we can take this further. But I'm not willing to lead you on anymore."

Peter leaned in and kissed her cheek. "It was nice for what it was. I hope you and Tony will work things out someday."

She shrugged. "I don't know if things will or won't anymore. I think I just need to let it all play out how they're going to for a while."

"I'm willing to play this game a little longer," he said, mostly teasing.

Angela squeezed his hand. "I wish we could."

"But we shouldn't," he finished.

She shook her head. "I want to end things on a positive note. We'll still be working together… won't we?"

"Of course," he laughed. "You're making us more money than we could have dreamed."

"Priorities, I see."

He winked.

"Thank you for being so understanding. Now and with everything else."

"Thank you for giving me a chance." Letting go of her hand, he said, "Now, let's enjoy dinner. I decided to drive back to L.A. tomorrow so this will be my last decent meal for a while."

"All right," Angela said softly, "but I insist on paying."

"You don't have to."

"Please? It's the least I can do."

"It's not necessary, but if it makes you feel better, go for it." He laughed.

"Thank you. So, tell me about this road trip you've got planned…"

. . .

Angela was glad Peter had let her drive tonight. After dropping him off, she drove around aimlessly, needing to be away from people for a while.

She was grateful the breakup had gone smoothly, not that she really expected him to give her a hard time in the first place. For that alone she would miss him. But he wasn't Tony. That had been the case with Geoffrey, too. That was the case with any of her dates since he'd come into her life and she feared it would be a theme that wouldn't be changing. The whole thing made her feel stuck.

She didn't want to be alone for the rest of her life. That was a risk she ran if she continued waiting for Tony to be ready. The longer it went on, the more she was forced to admit that maybe that day wasn't going to come. Maybe they were better off as friends. So far, romance had only pushed them apart – and that had been at a minimum. What if something more were to happen and they ended up never speaking again? That wasn't an option.

Her wandering led her to Tony's makeshift 'Inspiration Point'. She hadn't thought about this place or the kiss he'd given her in a long time, but sitting there again brought the memory back full force. Leaning back against the car seat, she shut her eyes. They never spoke of that kiss. Sometimes she wasn't sure it'd really happened. It'd felt different from others they shared, as though he needed more than she needed to check the final item off her list.

Completion.

Opening her eyes again, she let out a sigh. So much had changed since that night. Tony had even given up the rickety old van. They were closer, and yet, more distant. There was more honesty, but things still went unsaid. Why did it always have to be so complicated? Why couldn't it be as simple as going home tonight and telling him that she didn't want to live a life without him and having him scoop her up in his arms and tell her the same? He'd break up with Kathleen and they wouldn't look back, only forward. True completion.

In reality? She wouldn't tell him about Peter. Tony would panic – take it the wrong way. He'd think it meant she expected him to end his relationship as well if the guilt didn't overpower first. The last thing she wanted after a summer of mending their relationship was to set it back again. He'd continue on with Kathleen and she'd wait and see what might happen for her. She wasn't going to seek out a relationship, but she was open to a date or two. Not for a while, though. She needed a break. She'd mope around tonight and throw herself back into work in the morning.

The same old routine, she thought.