I check to make sure that her name is spelled correctly on the sign. “Do you… like… it?”
“I…” She can’t even look at me. After an uncomfortable beat of silence, she murmurs in a choked voice, “Coming here was a mistake.”
Her words hit me like a bucket of ice water, the warmth from the bakery ovens suddenly vanishing.
What have I done wrong?
TWENTY-EIGHT
Delilah
Seeing my name in neon lights sends my stomach plummeting. He bought a freaking bakery and changed its name for me? Sure, some omegas would love such extravagant gifts, but this is just like the mixer all over again but on steroids.
I have to get out of here.
I turn away from him and dash for the door.
“Wait!” Jagger catches my wrist, sending a zap of electricity up my arm. “What’s wrong?” I spin, seeing the genuine confusion on his face, creases forming between his brows. “What did I do? I thought you’d be happy.”
My skin prickles, fury bubbling up inside me like a volcano that I can’t hold back, especially under the stark fluorescent glare of the sign that looks so out of place inside the charming small town bakery.
“Happy that you bought me this?” I wave my hands around. “You’re just throwing money at our problems. This only proves how little you know me. We’re from two different worlds.”
“But…” His shoulders slump. “I thought you loved this place.”
“That doesn’t mean I wanted it to be named after me,” I snap. “My forgiveness can’t be bought, Jagger.”
“Is that what you think I’m trying to do?” He takes a step back into the shadows. “Buy you?”
“Isn’t it? First the mixer, then this. I don’t need stuff. Nor do I want it!”
“I just wanted to do something special for you. Something to show you how much I care. I…” He scratches his chin. “I guess it was too much.”
“Too much?” I splutter. “That’s an understatement. Who buys people bakeries?!”
“Don’t go,” he pleads as I grip the doorhandle. “Please.” His voice drops to a hoarse whisper. “Obviously I went too far, but I… I’m trying.”
I poke his chest hard with my finger then gesture at the ridiculous signage. “You can’t expectstuffto do all the work for you.”
“I was trying in the only way I knew how,” he admits, voice trembling, making me question whether I’m being too harsh. “I want to fix it. Fix us. Whatever I do seems to make it worse.”
“You hurt me, Jagger.” My bottom lip trembles as I fight back tears. “You tore my heart out.”
“And I’m so fucking sorry, Delilah.” He takes my hand. “I’d do anything to go back in time and change it.”
“You broke me.”
“And I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to put you back together.” He pulls my hand to his lips and kisses it tenderly. “Because I love you.”
I feel my resolve weakening, my body reveling in the delicate way his mouth grazes over my skin.
“Love doesn’t make everything okay.”
“I know.” His eyes meet mine. The sparkling green orbs feel like they’re penetrating deep into my soul as he takes both of my hands in his. “But I still need you to know. I love you, Delilah.”
“But you hurt me,” I whisper.
I cling to the memories of what happened, refusing to let myself fall off the proverbial precipice I’m standing on the edge off.
