56

Elaine

The elevator ride downstairs was silent. My heart ached as I wrung my fingers nervously, staring at Max's turned back. We hadn't said a word to each other since he agreed to go on this coffee date, and contrary to what I expected, we'd grown an inch more apart. I was feeling so vulnerable and I craved his smile and touch so much, even with everything bad he'd been doing to me. I didn't understand any of this. I wanted him to hold me again, with the love and affection he'd once for me. To fall on my knees and plead with him to accept Finn and I wholeheartedly. To be strong and reassure myself that this will pass.

But I'd never been that type of woman. I wasn't desperate for his attention, or money, or both. I'd been moving on just fine without him. My pride was my stronghold.

My phone beeped loudly, just as the elevator stopped and the door slid open. Max wasted no time in walking out and I followed suit, frowning when I unlocked my phone and saw that it was Jessy texting. It'd