I froze, staring up at him, completely caught off guard. My hand halfway to my plate.

"Why are you suddenly apologizing?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Ryan let out a low sigh and rubbed his temples, his voice thick with guilt, "I'm sorry, Gabby. I should have never let Summer get close to me, and I sure as hell shouldn't have given her the chance to take those pictures. I didn't mean for you to get hurt."

I stayed silent, just looking at him. The sincerity in ...