Page 44 of Break My Heart

Hearing me use the word lacking causes Leo’s face to contort.

“I know I said I’m sorry in my email, but you deserve to receive a proper apology. I’m so deeply sorry, Christin. I shouldn’t have said what I did. Not at all. It was…” He exhales. “It was just plain wrong.”

“That’s the bare minimum of what I deserve, but it’s a good place for you to start.” Silence stretches between us. Then I demand, “Is this change of heart because you see who I am now? Because I matter in your world?”

Leo sputters, “What? No, no!”

“You don’t get to turn something hurtful you said about me into something explainable because you found out the truth of who I am.”

“That’s not what I’m doing,” he protests.

My gaze doesn’t waver. But Leo’s face is adamant. He refuses to acknowledge any possibility that his feelings are based on knowing who I am. “I didn’t understand what I was saying.”

“Really?” My voice holds the right note of skepticism. “And now that I’m working with Apex Orion, am I supposed to forgive and forget, Leo?”

“I’m not asking you to let go of what I said. I’m asking for the chance to explain the history behind it.”

My brows come together. “History?”

His lips turn downward. “There’s quite a bit of it, to be honest.”

“That’s not a singular request, Leo.”

“I’m willing to do the work.”

I offer him little encouragement that I’ll take him back, even if I let him try to make amends. There are no guarantees. After all, he’s the man who broke my heart. “We’ll take it as it comes.”

“I want to earn your forgiveness, Christin.”

“That’s not going to happen tonight, Leo.”

He looks like he wants to say more, but tonight’s not the night for it. I back away from him before this goes any further. “Goodnight, Leo. See you at the track at nine.”

Just as I’m about to walk away, he calls out, “Christin.”

I pause. “Yes?”

“I know there’s no way to fix us in one night. But tomorrow, let me take the first step.”

“I’ll consider it.” I know I need more from Leo before handing my heart over again.

His expression shows his determination. “Okay.” He steps back then. I know Leo isn’t retreating; he’s respecting the boundary I just set between us. “Goodnight, Christin.”

“Goodnight, Leo.”

He lingers for half a second before turning and leaving the terrace.

I watch him go before I step back inside the house that’s always been warm. Infused with love.

Apparently not the kind of life Leo led before meeting me.

Before I can slip into my head any further, I’m interrupted by my phone buzzing on the end table.

I pick it up, already knowing.

Group video call with Maya, Amy, and Emery.

I press the green check to answer and am immediately assaulted.