Page 13 of The Bridesmaid (Brides of Beaufort 3)

“It is a big deal. And I’m not trying to chitchat. I want to apologize to you and explain myself.”

“Why? You seemed perfectly content with shutting me out of your life. What’s changed?”

I clenched my jaw. My fists, too. Because my heart was racing, my stomach rolled, and standing in front of her without taking her into my arms was no easier now than it had been the other day.

“Nothing has changed,” I said through gritted teeth. “Nothing and everything. So please, give me a chance to explain. Give me a chance to say what I came here to say, and if you’re still mad at me after that, fine. But you need all the information.”

Layla let out the breath she’d been holding, her shoulders drooping in defeat. “Fine. We can talk. But I’m not having dinner with you.”

“Fine. I’ll eat with Grayson and Jo, and then we can meet up after. Name the place.”

She looked around, her eyes landing on the row of shops across from us. She jerked her chin at the place on the corner. “There. Mickey’s Pub. I’ll meet you at seven.”

Before I even had a chance to reply, she flipped her hair over her shoulder and took off. I watched her go, blinking slowly. Okay. This was it. Tonight I’d tell Layla why it had been necessary for me to leave. I’d apologize for hurting her. And then, with any luck, I’d get to tell her I still loved her and ask her for a second chance.