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I snatch my phone from the wooden nightstand, fire it up, and shoot Lake a text message.
Me: We need to talk.
She reads it but doesn’t respond.
Me: Please.
She reads this one too, but still doesn’t respond, so I dial her number. When it goes straight to voicemail, I call Poppy, who picks up on the fourth ring.
“Why are you calling me at two in the morning?”
“Has Lake left forKauai yet?”
“None of your business.”
She hangs up on me.
It doesn’t matter, I’ll go by Lake’s apartment and see if I can catch her before she leaves.
I pack up my stuff and head to the airport. Nine hours later, I land at New York City, and Thomas drives me to Lake’s condo. Stepping out the Maybach, I glance up at Lake’s apartment building and suck in a breath as I open the double doors. I take the elevator to the floor of her apartment, and my nerves are shot. I hope I’m not too late for seeing her one last time. To make it right. Breaking up with her was the biggest mistake I ever made in my life, and she needs to know. Once I make it to her front door, I knock and wait for several moments. Then I bang on the door a few more times.
Shit, I must’ve missed her. I need to speak to Poppy, she’d know where exactly Lake is staying, so I tell my driver to take me to her place. I bang on the door loud before she opens up, wearing a Christmas onesie with her hair up in a neat little bun. Her eyes grow big as she folds her arms across her chest.
“Where is Lake’s address in Kauai?”
“I’m not telling you. Do you know how bad this looks? Atlas, the paparazzi have been harassing her, and people won’t leave her alone about you. You ruined her life. She left because she needed space from the tabloids.” She balls up her fist as if she’s going to strike me. “You’re lucky I won’t kick your butt all over the building.” She goes to shut the door, but I place my loafer in the way, blocking the door from closing.
“Wait. Tell me her address. Name your price,” I plead.
“Why? So you can break her heart again?”
“Please, I love her. I need to speak to her.”
“Did you love her when you chose that job in London over her? Did you love her when you told her she was a fling?”
“Yes, I did. I-I—”
“You what?”
“Can we talk, please?”
“I could be doing something more productive with my time. You have ten minutes to talk.” She opens the door wide, and I step in. The scent of gingerbread hits my nostrils, and my eyes go to the Christmas tree that’s decorated with green and red ornaments.
She ushers me to a suede love seat. I glance around her tiny place, her apartment is warm and cozy.
“We’re not doing this,” she beeches.
“Doing what?”
“You’re not going to break her heart again, Atlas. She loves you, and you left her high and dry.”
“I did it because she didn’t admit she loved me and it spooked me.” I run my hand through my hair. “I didn’t break up with her because of the job in London, I broke up with her because she wouldn’t admit how she feels about me. I was afraid if I stayed with her, I would be the only one in love in the relationship. I spent so many years running from being in a romantic relationship and when I’m finally in one, I sabotage it.”
She eyes me for several beats, then sighs, “I don’t know, Atlas. How do I know you won’t walk out on her again when things become hard?”
“You don’t. You will have to trust me. I want to be with her, Poppy. Please, I’ll give you anything you want. I can’t live without her. She’s the only good thing in my life, and I don’t want to ruin it even more than I already have.”
“Lake is not big on expressing her emotions. When Carter broke up with her, she didn’t even cry, she moved on like nothing happened. And I thought she loved him, but it turned out she didn’t.”
