Ciara's POV
"You're probably judging me right now. Judge me all you want, but it wasn't entirely my fault."
"I'm not judging you, Ciara," he said, turning slightly. "I'll find something for you to do in the meantime."
"Really?" My eyes widened in surprise.
"Yes. You can come work with me," he said, lowering both his gaze and his tone. "That is, if you want to."
I couldn't contain my excitement. "Of course! Why wouldn't I? I'm happy to!"
He gave a curt nod, still not meeting my eyes. He didn't look happy—at all.
As he turned, taking steps away to leave, something stirred inside me, and I couldn't let him go like that.
"Wait," I called softly.
He stopped, his back still turned to me. My heart pounded in my chest, and before I could think it through, I walked over to him.
