Page 81 of The Edge Of Us

For a moment, there was silence. Just us. The way it used to be.

I met her eyes. "You look good, Corinne."

She blinked. "Thanks. So do you."

"England, huh?" I tried to sound casual. Failed.

"It's a modeling gig. Luxe Beauty press tour. Brittany and I will be doing interviews, a few shows. There's a dinner for ambassadors."

"Is he going?"

She didn't answer.

I scoffed lightly. "Right. Of course he is."

"Allen, please don't start this."

"I'm not starting anything," I said, too quickly. "I'm just... trying to understand how you go from not wanting to see me ever again to... kissing Jasper Ashford on your porch."

"That's not fair."

"Nothing about this is fair." I took a breath. "I'm not trying to guilt you. I know I'm the reason we ended. I know what I did."

She looked at me then. Eyes wide, hurt, cautious. "Then why are you here, Allen?"

"Because I can't stop loving you."

Her breath hitched.

"I'm trying to change, Corinne. I go to therapy twice a week. I haven't touched a drink in four months. I know it doesn't erase what I did. I know I betrayed you in the worst possible way. But I miss you."

She shook her head. "Allen-"

"I miss waking up next to you. I miss hearing you laugh with Kyle while you're brushing his hair. I miss how Astrid falls asleep with her head on your chest. I miss all of it. And I hate that I ruined it."

Her lips trembled. But she said nothing.

Brittany appeared behind her, holding a coffee. "Car's ready," she said quietly.

Corinne nodded, grabbing her purse. She turned to the kids, kissing each of them with so much tenderness it broke me.

"Be good, okay?" she said to Kyle.

"Always."

"Look after Astrid."

"I promise."

She looked at me once more. "Thanks, Allen."

"Take care of yourself."

As she walked to the car, I stared at her. The woman I still loved. The woman who didn't look back.

Once the car pulled out, I buckled the kids in their seats and got back into the driver's side.

I wasn't going home.

---