What can I do to fix this?? 

I couldn’t blame her. This awkwardness between us was all on me. The stiff way she held herself, her fingers gripping the box of chocolate too forcefully, reminded me of what I had to do. I couldn’t postpone it any longer. 

“I’m sorry for what I did the other day,” I said, my tone somber and low.

“Mr. Hayes, I…?” 

She wasn’t about to make it easy for me. Not that I deserved leniency. She wasn’t the one who ...