Page 32 of Doctor Silver Fox Next Door

"Lennox. You made it clear that you are not interested in me. I don't need you here trying to upset the balance that I am trying to create. I need peace and I need the friends I have. I need my family. I do not need you."

"Your family?" I ask, knowing that she must have been speaking to them. "Do they know? "

"I told them everything. Just because you are not going to be here for me does not mean they are not going to be here for me. My parents have invited me to come and stay there for a while when I get some time off work. I agreed with them. I am better off without you."

The words cut into me like a dagger to my heart.

"They think you are better off without me?"

"I am better off without you, Lennox."

I am so shocked that when Emma steps back and slams the door closed, I don't even react.

I walk defeated back to my apartment. I need to figure out a way to fix this. If her friends and family are telling her that she does not need me, this is going to be so much harder than I thought. I need to prove to her how I really feel. I need to show her how sorry I am, that I messed up badly, and that I know it.

At home, I get my phone out and call the local flower shop. It might be cheesy, but it is a start. I ordered six bouquets of flowers, boxes of chocolates, balloons, and a giant pink fluffy rabbit bear. On each card I have them write a different note.

I am sorry.

Please forgive me.

You are my entire world.

I am the biggest idiot.

I want you in my life.

I love you.

I order an urgent delivery and then wait, not so patiently, listening for the delivery to arrive at her door. After about an hour I hear someone knocking on her door and peek out into the hall. The flowers look beautiful. I quickly closed the door and hid back in my apartment. I know this won't fix everything, but it is just the beginning.

I hear her talking to the delivery man and letting him inside to set everything down. I wait to see if she will come over to my apartment, but of course she doesn't.

I wait another hour and then get my phone out again. I ordered Chinese food to be delivered to her apartment. I know she loves chicken chow mein. I ordered her a meal a milkshake and some dessert.

I wait and listen for the food delivery. I hear her talking to the guy and she sounds annoyed, but she takes the food and thanks him. Still, she does not come over.

I sent her a message.

Me: Emma, please forgive me. Please can we talk?

She does not reply. So, I go onto the internet and browse baby accessory shops, trying to pick something that she will like, but I can't choose. I just want her to know that I am going to be there every step of the way to support her in everything. I want her to know that I will not make this stupid mistake again of pushing her away.

Eventually, I chose to get her a gift card so that she could choose something herself. Maybe childish of me - but I imagine us maybe even choosing it together. I have the gift voucher sent to her phone.

A few minutes after I send it, I am sitting at my kitchen counter nervously tapping my fingers on the counter and there is a loud knock at my door. I jump up and rush to answer it.

"Emma?"

She is glaring at me.

"Stop sending me things, Lennox." She shouts. "Showering me in gifts does not make up for what you did to me. It does not take away the hurt." I want to say something, to tell her I know - that it is not good enough - but that I just want the chance to talk to her. But she is walking away.

She slams her own door behind her, and I sigh.

I need to think bigger.

What can I do to make her life easier? What can I do that will show her that I am paying attention - that I want to help - and that I want to do something genuine for her.

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