Page 76 of His Property

“Did you tell her?” he asks, his voice hard.

My brow furrows. “Of course I didn’t. I would never do something like that.”

He lets out a long breath. “You should have. After the way I treated you, I wouldn’t have blamed you.”

My heart gallops, and I try not to turn my thoughts to me. I spent days thinking Victor would show up at my house with an apology, and after a week I decided to squash that hope.

“You showed up to my classroom and embarrassed me in front of my studentsandmy principal. It suresoundslike you blame me.”

“Shit,” he says under his breath before meeting my gaze. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

I wave the apology off. “It’s okay. I get it.” I swallow and cross my arms over my chest. “I regret not telling you what I knew. I hope you understand I didn’t want to break Gabi’s trust.”

He nods solemnly. “I understand.”

My shoulders deflate as I let out a breath.

He looks me up and down then stares deeply into my eyes. “It’s good to see you, Mae.”

My lips pull into a small smile. “Is it?”

Victor nods, not a trace of humor on his face. I like to think I know when Victor is lying, and with the way he seems to stare into me, his next words strike me as genuine. Although it could be wishful thinking.

“I miss you.”

My brows lift and weight leaves my body. I want to say it back. I want him to know how I feel about him, and I want him to take me in his arms and tell me he feels the same. I want him to kiss me and keep kissing me and never let me spend another sleepless night alone again.

But I’m speechless, and I lose my chance.

Victor hops off my desk and brushes his hand on my shoulder as he walks by me.

“Where are you going?” I ask, turning toward him.

He looks back at me over his shoulder. “Home. I have a restraining order to disobey.” He winks at me and smirks, but it lacks the humor Victor normally carries. He goes to leave again, and I hurry to him and grab his arm to stop him.

“I’m supposed to go pick her up in a few hours,” I say, slowly pulling my hand away. “Let’s go together. Maybe I can help.”

He smiles sadly. “I’m not sure that would do any good, but…” he shrugs. “Okay. Why not?”

“Meet me in the parking lot at four?”

He nods. “Sure. See you then.”

21

VICTOR

Ipull into my driveway behind Mae and throw my car into park.

Mae gets out before me, and she shuffles her feet, looking hesitant to go inside. I’m anything but.

I climb out of my car and slam the door before striding up to my porch.

“Victor, wait.” Mae follows close behind me, and when I grab the doorknob, she touches my arm. “Don’t go in angry. It won’t help.”

I shrug Mae off and throw open the door. To her, I’m sure it looks like I’m angry, but I’m not. Not anymore, at least. I feel determined.

I made up my mind on how to fix this while waiting in the parking lot for Mae. I don’t know if it’ll work, but I don’t have much else to lose at this point, so I’m going to try a strategy I’ve never considered. Honesty.

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