Page 45 of Break My Heart

“Oh my god, you look like you just emotionally sparred with a man,” Maya says.

“I did.” Then I admit, “Yes, it was Leo.”

Emery leans closer to her camera. “Details.”

Amy squints. “Was he groveling? Because if he wasn’t groveling, I’m not interested.”

“I gave him a chance to explain things to me.” Quickly, I give them a recap of our conversation.

Three simultaneous reactions.

Maya shrieks, “WHAT?”

Emery questions, “How did he sound?”

Amy wonders, “Was there visible evidence of his suffering?”

I walk into the kitchen with my glass and refill it with water. “Yes,” I say.

All three of them freeze before I’m absorbed in another rapid-fire question-and-answer round.

“Define visible suffering,” Amy demands.

“He appeared to appreciate the consequences of his actions.”

Emery clutches her chest. “Growth.”

Maya shakes her head. “No. No. We are not rewarding basic emotional awareness.”

“I didn’t,” I say, leaning against the counter.

“What did you say?” Emery asks.

“I said I’d consider it.”

Silence.

Then Maya shrieks, “CHRISTIN.”

I wince slightly, pulling the phone away from my face. “What?”

Maya looks personally offended. “You said you’d consider it?”

“It’s not a yes.”

“It’s not a no,” Emery counters.

Amy nods slowly. “It’s a strategic middle ground.”

“Thank you for that astute interpretation,” I say.

Amy and Emery chuckle as Maya glares at all of us. “You’re enabling her.”

“She’s fine,” Amy replies. “Have you ever known Christin not to be in control, even when what’s happening around her is emotionally devastating?”

I scowl. “You make me sound like a brand.”

Emery pipes up with, “Your slogan should be, ‘I will dismantle you while calmly smiling.’”