Yes

“Hello?” I answered, trying to sound casual.

“Hey, Brenda. It's Tyrone,” he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. “I was wondering if you wanted to hang out again today.”

I bit my lip, unsure of what to say. Part of me wanted to say yes, to spend more time with him and see where things could go. But another part of me was screaming to stay away, to not get involved with someone so much younger than me.

“Um, I don't know, Tyrone,” I said finally. “My kids are at school, and I have a lot of work to do.”

“I understand,” Tyrone said, sounding disappointed. “Maybe some other time, then.”

I felt a pang of guilt for letting him down. “Yeah, maybe some other time,” I said, trying to sound convincing.