MAXINE

He was silent for a moment, “I’m trying, Maxine. I’m trying. I want to but it’s hard. You broke my trust. But I still care about you.”

His words cut through me like a blade, sharp and precise. I closed my eyes, feeling the tears well up again. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

He pressed a kiss to the back of my head. “I know,” he said. “I know you are. And that’s enough for now.”

We lay there in silence for a long time. I could feel his breath hot ...