“Ah, the ‘one.’ It’s a pleasure meeting you.” Ella was sweet, despite the fact she tried to jump into bed with Max. After shaking my hand, she walked out the door.

“Hope to see you both at the London Fashion Show.” With an air kiss to both of us, she made her way to the elevator.

Instead of welcoming me in, Max left the door open while he walked inside. Closing the door behind me, I placed my purse down on the kitchen counter and headed to the living room. The first thing I saw was Max’s shirt and the blue tie I bought him for Christmas, tossed on the sofa. This was not like him at all.

Max faced the grand window, where the beauty of the city shined below. Just looking down, he could get lost and forget about what was in front of him—me. He had his arms stretched out and his palms planted flat against the glass. I could see his chest rise and fall slowly. As his toned muscles straining under the sleeves of his T-shirt distracted me, I wondered what he was thinking.

Feeling my nerves wavering, I laced my fingers together to keep my hands from trembling as I gathered the courage to speak, but Max beat me to it.

“If you’re here to gather your things from upstairs, you’ve come at a bad time. You could’ve came when I was out. That way, I wouldn’t have to see you walk out of my life.” Max’s voice was soft, but I could feel the pain in it.

He really thought I was leaving him. Oh my God! How do I fix this? “Max, I didn’t come to take my things. I came to apologize. I was upset, hurt, confused, and I just needed time to catch my breath. You and I, well, it all happened so fast, and then all this stuff with Crystal. You didn’t trust me enough to tell me about your past, or the things you did with her. A part of me felt like I wasn’t good enough for you.”

Max slowly turned his head, furrowing his brows. “Have I ever made you feel worthless?” he asked softly, looking drained.

“No, Max. But what am I supposed to think knowing you and Crystal did things you and I have never even tried? I’ve been so insecure. I’m afraid that I don’t satisfy you, and one day you’ll leave me because I don’t fulfill your needs.”

“You give me no credit, Jenna. I’m not that kind of a man. I’m glad we’re communicating, but I’m beginning to think you don’t know me at all. It took every ounce of willpower not to break down your door and bring you back here myself. But I wanted you to come when you were ready, on your own terms.”

“It’s not you, Max. I know you’re a good man. It’s me.”

“Then what do you want?” He asked sternly.

And there was that question that could make or break us. I knew what I wanted, so what was I waiting for? “I want you, Max. I want us. I’m sorry for being immature and stubborn. I’m sorry I put you through hell while I worked things out. I always knew what I wanted, but—”

“But….” he repeated my word. “You didn’t come faster because you knew I would be waiting for you.” He sounded angry, and it made me shudder.

I could see this was heading in the wrong direction, but he was right. I took my time because I knew. Maybe I was too late. “No,” I stammered. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I don’t know why, but I tortured myself too. But you have to understand that I was hurting. When I found out that Crystal had the same car, how do you think that made me feel? How do I know I’m not just another girl you’ll get tired of eventually? You told me that you kept things from me to protect me, but how do I know you weren’t hiding them instead?”

“You’re right. I didn’t realize I was hurting you until it was too late. I’m sorry for the things I should have done. I should have broken down the door and made you see how much you mean to me, instead of waiting for you to come to me. That was childish of me. For the record, I never leased a car for Crystal. She negotiated that in her contract.” Max exhaled a deep sigh. “I’ve missed you, Jenna. No one will ever love you as much as I love you. It’s not possible. I love you more than my own life. I would never hurt you.”

Just when I thought everything was going to be fine, his eyes darkened, filled with anger. He looked furious. “But you walked away from me. You walked away from us. There are times when you realize you’ve been defeated and sometimes you have to let go, so I’m letting you go.”

What?! Did I hear him correctly? He didn’t want me anymore? I was so stunned that it took a minute to register what he’d said. When the reality hit me, the voice in my head screamed…Noooooo! As tears stung my eyes, my heart dropped to the floor, and my body quivered inside from his words. Suddenly the air was too heavy and thick, and I could hardly breathe. His words sucked the air out of my lungs, as the shock shattered my world.

“You’re letting me go?” I whimpered, hoping I had heard him wrong, but when he spoke with the same angry tone, I knew he meant it.

“You f**kin’ left me when I needed you.” Trembling from his tone, his words cut so deep that it destroyed me, but again, he was right. I had pushed him away and slammed the door in his face. Oh God. What have I done? I’ve ruined us. Max had never used foul language at me before. Once again, that showed how upset and beyond angry he was.

“I know, Max,” I confirmed wearily. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for acting immature. I should have been there for you. You needed my support, my understanding, my forgiveness, and my love, but instead I turned away.”