Page 56 of A Smooth Operator

"Why?"

"Because you broke my heart." Her eyes filled with tears, and it crushed me. I hurt this beautiful woman who didn't deserve it.

"Let me heal it; let me heal my heart along with yours."

She shook her head, tears flowing down her cheeks. "I'm scared. I can't get hurt like that again. I don't want to love you, Remi. I want to get over you."

She loved me, and she thought I'd let her go? Well, fuck that.

"I can't let you go, Baby Doll," I admitted. "I know you're scared. I'm afraid, too."

"Of what?"

"Of screwing up. Of losing you more than I already have. I know I have your love. I'll show you that you can trust me."

She pushed me away. "No, Remi. It's done." I watched her go up to the porch. "You have to leave."

"I will. But this isn't done. We're not done. Not by a long shot."

She went inside her house, and I followed her. I held her even as she stood stiff as a board.

I kissed her forehead and smiled. "I'm going to change your mind. I'm going to show you that I'm worthy of you."

"You're out of chances with me."

I kissed her again, this time on her nose. "You love me. I love you. The rest is going to work out. I know you don't trust me, but I promise, I'll earn it."

She pulled away and folded her arms.

She closed her eyes as if reorienting herself.

I kissed her lips lightly and left her in her living room with a silent promise that I was coming back.

I was at the door when she called out, "Remi, you never returned your key."

"Not gonna either, Doll."

"I'll change the locks," she retorted.

I smiled. "If you were gonna do that, Baby Doll, you already would have."

Chapter 21

Echo

"Martin." I heard Remi call out as he came into the lab.

This is why you should never have rescinded your resignation. He wouldn't dare come into your place of work if it wasn't his father's company.

"Remi. What's for lunch today?" My boss asked.

Remi was bringing food, flowers, and cakes for me, but he brought enough for the whole lab. My colleagues were having a field day with all the goodies. In fact, they looked forward to Remi coming over.

"Lobster po boys from Huey's," Remi announced.

Semu rubbed his hands together. "Fantastic. Hey, last week you got pork shoulder sandwiches. Where were they from? I want to take my boyfriend there."

Remi told him.

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