Elaine
The elevator ride downstairs was silent. My heart ached as I wrung my fingers nervously, staring at Max's turned back. We hadn't said a word to each other since he agreed to go on this coffee date, and contrary to what I expected, we'd grown an inch more apart. I was feeling so vulnerable and I craved his smile and touch so much, even with everything bad he'd been doing to me. I didn't understand any of this. I wanted him to hold me again, with the love and affection he'd once for me. To fall on my knees and plead with him to accept Finn and I wholeheartedly. To be strong and reassure myself that this will pass.
But I'd never been that type of woman. I wasn't desperate for his attention, or money, or both. I'd been moving on just fine without him. My pride was my stronghold.
My p
