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care. I was still trying to understand why Kyle was standing in my apartment.
    “She left me.” The emotion was in his voice. His hand moved through his hair. “Apparently, she was seeing someone on the side, and she left me for him.” He tried to say it simply, but the pain was in his eyes and words.
    Pain washed over me. I was so shocked I couldn’t speak. It was such a blow to the head. They seemed so happy in that restaurant. Kyle looked at her like she was his whole world. She didn’t feel the same way? She accepted his marriage proposal then betrayed him? “I’m so sorry…”
    He shook his head. “You shouldn’t be. What goes around comes back around, right?”
    “You may have hurt me, but I would never want you to feel what I felt…” I meant it. While I was hurt he preferred someone over me, I accepted the fact he was happy with someone else. I really loved him and I wanted him to be happy, even if it wasn’t with me.
    His eyes softened while he looked at me. A small coat filled his eyes. He blinked it away then took a deep breath. “You are so amazing. I was so stupid for ever leaving you. “
    Those were the words I’d wanted to hear for the past year, a confession that I was the better woman. My confidence had been shaken and I didn’t find any value in myself. I thought those words would change everything.
    He kept staring at me. “After making a great mistake, I understand how you felt. You loved me with your whole heart, and I took off the moment we got bumpy. Instead of fighting, I just gave up. And in the end, I was with someone who never really loved me. Meanwhile, you were here the whole time, mourning me…” He ran his fingers through his hair in despair. “Now I see where I should have been the entire time. I…I know I shouldn’t even be asking this, but…I’d really love a second chance.”
    A second chance? I fantasized about him asking me that for months. After he kept texting me accidentally, I finally gave up on that dream. “Kyle, I’m seeing someone.”
    “I know,” he said quickly. “Even though he punched me in the face, he seemed like a good guy. I liked how he protected you. But, we both know he isn’t me. I’m the guy you’ve always wanted. I’m the guy you wanted to marry. And I’m here now, begging you to take me back. It’ll be completely different than last time. I love you and I’ll spend every day proving that to you.”
    I crossed my arms over my chest. “You’re right. You aren’t him.” There was no comparison.
    “Then work this out with me.” The plea was in his eyes. “Please, Hazel.”
    “I didn’t mean that in a good way.” My voice became stronger. “Flynn has been the perfect guy to me the moment we met. He’s treated me right and put me back together. I never thought I could trust anyone again, but he’s proven how honest and true he is. He’s the man I never expected to find. He makes me feel beautiful and special. I never worry what he’s doing when I’m not around. I’m not scared. He’s a million times better than you ever were. No, I won’t work this out with you. And even if I were single, I still wouldn’t. You ruined my trust. You can never get that back.”
    He stared into my eyes while he processed my words. The sadness crept into his face, his lips falling in a frown. He ran his fingers through his hair again, the pain in his eyes. “I understand.”
    “I think you should leave…”
    “When we moved to the city, we both didn’t know anyone. I don’t have a lot of friends. You’re the only person I have to talk to…”
    The pity rose in my heart then disappeared. “Now you know how I felt when you left.”
    He closed his eyes because the words stung. “I know you don’t owe me anything, and your reaction is what I deserve. In fact, I deserve a lot worse. You showed more compassion than I was entitled to. But…I’d really love it if we could get coffee together sometime…as friends.”
    Since I’d