She lifts her hand but can't knock on the door. She's made it this far, after all.

Why not just--

Sunlight spilling and coffee smells, the door opens on its own.

It's warm in there.

hello

the voice beckons

but her feet are planted

come with me

it asks and she turns around, finds one hand on the gear shift, one on the steering wheel

the sun overhead is blazing, blinding

she can't see a thing

to the right--

he's sitting there, like he's always been there, in the passenger

seat of your car

and sometimes you

can smell the scent

of the empty

seat but today

he's just grinning

at you

and all he

says

is

let's not

fall in love

And she lowers her hand. She can't knock on the door.

"Let's not fall in love," he said, his voice reverberating off the subway tile and blending in with the crowd.

And you couldn't help but think that this wasn't the place for that statement, that request. You could pretend you didn't hear him at all, but that would hardly be honest. You heard him well enough. But in the subway, of all places? And then you think.

You think the subway is a dirty nasty place, and maybe that he equates it with you and that's why he is bringing it up now. You think, you don't like crowds. You think that maybe he couldn't go a moment longer without deminishing the possibility of connection. Though, mostly, you think about how it's a little too late for him to ask for this.

<b>This</b> being months of time together. You think about meeting in front of the apartment mailboxes. About finding out his dog's name was Ralph, like your uncle from Connecticut. The plans you made for next week. You think about the first time he watched <i>Breathless</i> with you and how you could tell he really liked it by the way he used it hands to talk about his favorite parts. You think about the fact he loves ravioli naked. How his birthday is coming up, soon. You think about his hands: clutching a pencil, scrubbing the wok, tapping laptop keys, making the bed.

How unfair, you think. And its only been seconds. You feel the weight of his gaze growing heavier. As if you were a boat and he an anchor. But you have needs too, you just don't know his and it's hardly right to ask now, isn't it. What do you say, then? In moments like these.

Looking up, you answer:

Let’s not fall in love because I don’t want to wake up tomorrow with scabs over my knees

I don’t want to fall in love because it takes forever to pick yourself back up after

It’s too sudden for me, like you lose the ground beneath you

Like you lose who you are as you falls into the world of the other person

You lose everything that’s familiar to you as you try to make the relationship work

But it’s too new

Too sudden

Falling does nothing but scrap your knees and leave you bleeding

So let’s not fall in love

Let’s melt in love

Slowly weave your world with mine in perfect balance

As our feelings grow stronger they become the stitches

Let’s melt in love as we slowly blend together

As we work together and grow as people

As we grow to love each other

Let’s not fall in love because falling sucks

Let’s melt together under the warmth and comfort or each other’s embrace.

hearts are

r sky-blue,

u glazed

O with hope,

but,

let’s not

fall

in

love.

Let the sun,

the moon

and

the stars

elope;

writing stories

that dreams

are

made

of

.

please,

let's not fall in love:

my heart can't keep beating

if I have punctured promises

scattered throughout it.

let's not fall in love:

because when we do

our memories

of the sun,

of our wistfull drifting clouds,

of our mystical dreams,

fade away

as the sky darkens with remorse.

let's not fall in love:

we are not ready

to leap into a 20ft pool...

we haven't even learnt

to swim.

(let's not fall in love)

(let's not fall in love)

(let's not fall in love)

fuck it

let's fall in love.

Let's not fall in love.

Let's not hold hands.

Let's not kiss.

Let's not.

I don't want to hurt you.

I don't want to get hurt.

I'm scared you'll leave.

I don't want you to see me cry.

I don't want to.

I'm scared.

I want to hold you in my arms forever.

But I can't.

So let's not fall in love.

I'm sorry.

Let's not meet for lunch today. You will ask me about my day, my kids, my thoughts, my life. And you'll listen. I'll make you laugh, probably with one of our inside jokes or a goofy story said with a straight face and just enough truth to make you suspend disbelief for a moment before I surprise you with a punch line. We'll linger a bit too long for a business lunch before ending it with anticlimactic well-wishes, leaving the gods or the angels or the nosy waitress or whoever is watching wanting for more.

Let's not carpool to the conference. You'll sit in the front seat and completely take over the stereo, making fun of my sappy playlists and playing half of each song before continually changing the selection as you get excited about the next tune. Then you'll switch it over to your phone to continue my education on what "real music" is, telling me stories about the artists, their inspiration, and when they broke up or died or changed the band name. You'll get misty when the right song comes up, then tell me a memory. We'll laugh and we'll stop for the bathroom twice because you'll drink too much coffee and we'll gossip about our co-workers. We'll arrive and linger a bit too long getting out of the car, wanting for more.

Let's not text anymore. I'll send a meme or GIF that I know will make you literally laugh aloud, then you'll reply with a video I "just have to watch", probably a goat or an otter or someone getting hurt doing something stupid. I'll get serious at some point and will tell you that you're kind and fun and delightful, and you'll reply with the word "smile" instead of an emoji. I love that. Then we'll say goodnight but we won't want to stop texting and I'll re-read our conversation before turning off my phone for the night, wanting for more.

Let's not fall in love. The office and the kids and our different views on politics and religion and Reese's Pieces VS Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Michigan VS Michigan State and how important it is to turn paperwork in on time... it's just too messy. How would you explain me to your mother? Or our boss? Or our waitress, who we already told that we're just co-workers. You're perfect, you know? Perfect. And maybe it's too late. But let's not. Even if it means we're left wanting for more.

Can someone actually “Catch your eye”?

What does this even mean?

It’s like hearts are floating around their heads;

I think I’m turning green.

I’ve heard people claim

They, “Fell in love”,

And I guess it sounds romantic, but

If I want to risk falling and getting hurt,

I’ll jump off the swing and take my chances!

Falling always comes before the pain;

Don’t they realize that they’re doomed?

I think that I will take a pass,

And I suggest you follow suit.

Lets refuse to fall in love,

Red flags are waving their hands

The risks are far too great

I think we're in over our heads.

Maybe someday I’ll understand

Why so many give it a try,

But, for now I’ll take the safer route,

While I put on my helmet and ride my bike.

I know you won't fall with me.

You'll watch me go but stand alone above me as I hit the earth.

You'll say you're sorry but not move to help me up.

You'll make any excuse to pretend you didn't see it happen.

You'll walk away before I can even catch my breath.

You'll move on because you never fell in the first place.

I've been reminded your words are just a mask.

I've heard every tale you've had to tell.

I've forced myself to stand tall again.

I've stepped away because I understand.

I've travelled on this twisted and road before.

I knew you never really loved me.

You don't know,

How wonderful you are.

I've never met anyone like you

You make me feel so happy inside,

Like nothing can hurt me.

I like you,

But I can't say.

I can't say,

From the fear of ruining what we already have together.

I can't say,

Because of all the letdown,

And rejection,

And hurt.

I can't tell you, that I want to be the one you come to,

When you're sad,

Or hurt,

And you need someone.

It's so hard,

To let go,

Of something you love.

I wish you would try with me.

And I could make you happy,

I could make you smile,

And try to keep away the pain.

But for now,

I'll stay with you,

And support everything you do.

I'll make sure to make something out of what we have.

But I can't say.

Not yet.