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My heart still loved the ring he got me when he had nothing.

The ring I still carried around in a secure area of my purse till today.

CHAPTER 18

KATY

Exactly nine o’clock the following morning, the shrill sound of the doorbell echoed through the apartment.

And I knew it was him without even looking.

Because if there was one thing I knew, it was that my man was very punctual.

After the pity party for my lost ring last night, I had steeled my spine and called Lan, who in his gruff measured voice said he would be here.

Even though walls separated us, I could feel the energy of his presence seep into every cell of my being.

Now that I wasn’t mad at him, I felt guilty.

Embarrassed even.

Guilty because I manipulated and tricked the only man who’d ever been on my side with my lies and facade.

It wasn’t him who abandoned me. It was me who left him a long time ago, obsessing over the version of me that craved perfection.

It wasn’t him who should be groveling on his feet. It was me.

And the last time I was begging on his feet for all the wrong reasons.

Taking a deep breath, I smoothed my hand over the flowery red sundress I was wearing. This dress was my favorite and I wore it today for him.

I swallowed as I reached the door.

Here goes nothing.

I swung the door open to a sight that made my heart hurt. How could I be so stupid not to hold this man close and love him with all the imperfect parts of me anyway?

“Lan,” I breathed as those dark brown eyes locked on mine. He had on his signature biker jacket, washed black jeans, and a matching Henley. His hair was a tousled mess of chestnut waves like he had just gotten off his bike while his glove-clad fingers gripped his helmet.

“Katy,” he replied flatly, his voice giving nothing away.

Fuck, was he mad?I hadn’t seen him since New Orleans, where my tear ducts decided to burst while I accused him of abandoning me. Now I felt like a fool for it.

“Come on in.” I ushered him inside.

I spent last night decorating this place a bit. I didn’t do much. I just picked a few pillows to add color to the bachelor pad that Mikey left behind and ordered some new furniture that still needed to be delivered. Instead of picking based on the new trend or the designer tag, I just went with the ones I liked.

And it felt good for once.

“Do you want something to drink?” I asked, wringing my fingers. Why the fuck did I feel so nervous all of a sudden in front of a man who had probably seen every inch of my naked skin?

“No,” he said, sinking down on the couch. “You wanted to meet? What about?”

I swallowed, lowering myself opposite him. Emotionless Lan was back again; it was the one version of him, I had no clue how to handle.

“I’m trying,” I said without thinking. “Trying to find me, like you said.”

“Don’t do it for me,” he said quickly. “Do it for yourself.”