He reached out and gently held my arms.
“I’m so sorry, Amanda. I lost my phone the same week I had to fly to Italy. There were serious family emergencies and complicated business issues I had to handle. Everything happened so fast. I’ve been dealing with one crisis after another.”
I stared at him, still hurting. “But now you’re in New York. Why didn’t you come to me?”
“I literally just arrived this evening for a business deal. I’m supposed to fly out again tomorrow morning… but I can extend my stay. For you. Please, let me make it up to you.”
“It’s fine,” I said coldly, turning to leave. “You don’t have to do anything. Just go back to wherever you came from. I can’t do this with you right now.”
Before I could take another step, he grabbed me from behind, wrapping his strong arms aroun
