Leighton woke to a soft knock on her door.
She glanced at her phone. 11:47 PM. She'd fallen asleep after crying. Her eyes felt swollen. Her throat raw.
Another knock. "Leighton? You awake?"
Noah.
She should ignore him. Should pretend to be asleep.
Instead, she got up and opened the door.
He stood in the hallway in sweatpants and a t-shirt. Hair messy. Eyes tired. He looked as wrecked as she felt.
"Can I come in?"
She stepped back. Let him enter. Closed the door behind him.
He stood in the middle of her room. Hands in his pockets. Looking everywhere except at her.
"I wanted to apologize," he said finally. "For earlier. For Vanessa showing up. For putting you in that situation."
"You didn't invite her."
"No. But I should have made her leave sooner. Should have protected you from
