For some unexplainable reason, Mike was relieved to know that he had not scared Sydney away.  At first he thought that it was just nature running it's course, because he is after all a guy. But he now knew it was something deeper. He felt some sort of attraction to her when he first saw her from the doorway. Sure, she is a beautiful girl.  A beautiful young girl at that..but no, there  is something else about her.<br/><br/>When she asked about his ex, he looked at her and could tell that she was genuinely interested.  "Why can't more women be like her?" he asked himself as he prepared to answer.  "Well, there really isn't much to say about that relationship.  It was in some ways like yours.  I put my heart and soul into the relationship, and it was perfect.  Or at least I thought so.  But the reality of the situation would soon hit me with a major uppercut.  I was out of town finalizing a deal, and for a change it went smoothly, and I was going to get back a day early.  I decided that I was going to surprise her.  I had planned on showing up and having her pack her bags for a trip to Puerto Rico...a romantic getaway for the perfect couple.  But imagine my surprise, when I walked in on my "soul mate" and one of my good friends and business associates.  Right there in the my bed, in my house.  Two of the people I thought would never betray me, suddenly turned into a double dose of Judas. And I later on found out that they had been doing this behind my back for a long while. To say I was pissed would be an understatement.  I was literally heart broken.  All my dreams and plans for the perfect life were shot down just like that.  That day,  I lost the only true love I had ever known, and a good friend to boot.  I let that eat away at me for almost 2 years...2 year lost, wasted away.  But one day I woke up and decided that I wasn't going to ruin my life any more.  I finally got smart, and did something I had never done before...I actually forgave the two who had ruined me.  I decided that they weren't worth a lifetime of hostility and anger.  And as soon as I did that, my already successful business became even more successful, and I was happy again.  I  still think they are both a waste of humanity, but they belong together.<br/><br/>Oh wow, there I go again, running on an on.  But I can tell that you were having many of those same feelings,  and I don't want you to have to suffer like that." Mike takes hold of her hand, surprising even himself, and says..."You are better than he is.  You deserve the best..nothing less.  And the sooner you forget about that dumb ass, the sooner you'll be happy again.  And be able to enjoy wonderful guys like me!"  Mike smiles at her, looking deep into her eyes, trying to figure out what it is about her.  He can't be falling for a girl more than 10 years younger than himself.  "Can I?"<br/><br/>He tries to put the thought out of his mind, but he can't.  He can't help but wonder what is drawing him to her.  Sure she's beautiful...the most beautiful woman he has ever seen,but it is something else.  Something he can't put his finger on.<br/><br/>He lets go of her hand, mutters a quick "sorry", and lets go of it, embarrassed at the way he's behaving.  "Sorry to bore you with my sob story Sydney.  Like I said,sometimes I tend to get carried away."<br/><br/>Mike takes his gaze away from  her eyes, ashamed of himself and the way he's acting. "Sorry".<br/>