Page 53 of Sorry, Not Sorry

‘What do you want?’

Noah’s eyes were like chips of brown ice, and Delilah flinched at the coldness in his voice. The loving, good-humoured boyfriend of the past three weeks had vanished, leaving in his place a man who glared at her with unconcealed hostility.

Delilah had spent a sleepless night tossing and turning while trying to prepare what to say to Noah, but she still didn’t have a clue how to tell him.

Taking a tiny crumb of comfort from the fact he hadn’t shut the door on her, she took a cautious step up the stone steps leading to his front door in the hope of reducing the gap between them.

His eyes flashed a warning, and she stopped, uncertain whether to stand her ground or retreat, but the stakes were too high to back down, and she continued defiantly to the top of the steps.

She was close enough to see his jaw tighten and for a split second she thought he was about to slam the door in her face.

‘I know I’m the last person you want to see, but I need to talk to you – no, actually, I need to show you something.’

His eyes narrowed, but he stood back and held the door open.

Pulling her jacket tightly around her, Delilah stepped over the threshold and ran up the flight of stairs leading to his flat.

His front door was ajar, and she walked in and made her way towards the lounge before turning to face him.

He stared at her stonily, and it took everything not to give up and flee.

‘Thanks for giving me a chance to explain,’ she started breathlessly. ‘I?—’

‘What do you want to show me?’ he interrupted impatiently, his curt tone sending the clear message she was wasting his time.

She wrapped her arms around herself protectively. She had known this wouldn’t be easy, but it was agony to see Noah looking at her with such coldness when all she wanted was to be in his arms.

‘It – it’s not here. I need you to come with me.’

He looked sceptical, and she reached out and grasped his arm, feeling a stab of pain when he recoiled from her touch.

‘Please, Noah,’ she said urgently. ‘I promise I’ll explain everything and answer any questions you have – but not here. Please come with me…’ Her voice tailed off at his unyielding expression.

‘Give me one good reason why I should put myself through another round of you blowing hot and cold. I don’t know what you’re playing at, but honestly, I’ve had enough – Jesus , Delilah, why do you always make things so hard ?’

‘I don’t blame you. I know I’ve been a proper nightmare, but even if you decide you can’t forgive me, I want you to understand why. Please , Noah. Just hear me out.’

He studied her face, and his mouth twisted into a humourless smile. ‘I really don’t have a clue how your mind works,’ he said finally. But his voice had lost its edge, and she waited, hardly daring to breathe.

Just when she thought her lungs would burst if he didn’t speak, Noah nodded. ‘I probably need my head examined for agreeing to this but give me a minute to put some shoes on.’