We’re really sorry to break this to all the Office and rom-com truthers out there, but alas: Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak are not a couple. They are friends. Best friends! Yes, we know they used to date many years ago. But they’re not doing it again. He’s the godfather of her child, and that extra syllable is important! Speaking with CBS Sunday Morning in a new interview, Kaling was asked about the public’s continued fascination with their relationship status, and if that strikes her as being weird. “It’s nice that people care,” she responded. “I’ve known him for 16 years. We met each other when we were 24 and we’re about to be 40. Anyone who’s known each other for that long … I think it’s nice, I like when people think it’s more romantic or sparkly or interesting than it is.”

Granted, most friends aren’t given massive book deals to write about their relationship history, but Kaling insists their days of romance are well behind them. “You know who your friends for 16 years are. It’s not that way. He’s a wonderful friend. He’s the godfather to my daughter,” she added. “I see him every week. It isn’t the thing that people sometimes think it is. He’s really part of my family now, which is great. Even though that’s less of a sexy characterization of our relationship, I think it’s a deeper and a closer one. We do spend a lot of time together and it’s a great blessing in my life.” Too bad their Office counterparts didn’t get such a happily-platonic-ever-after.

Mindy Kaling Likes When We Think She’s Dating B.J. Novak