"I missed you. Derek, I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I didn't mean anything I said — I love you!"
Derek's entire body stiffened at Melissa's embrace. Her words rang painfully in his ears.
Love?
Slowly, he looked down at her, who was clinging to him like he was her last lifeline. Melissa's body trembled, her fingers gripping his clothes so tightly the fabric creased.
"I didn't mean everything I said," she cried, pressing herself against him. "I was just really upset… my agency cutting me off, everyone criticizing me, my mom pushing me. It felt like no one understood how hard it was for me to have my engagement cancelled."
Her tears flowed uncontrollably, soaking his shirt. "Please, give me a chance to fix us. Derek, I don't think I can take this anymore. I love you, and I don't know why I said those things."
"Please…" she hiccuped, looking up at him, hands fisting into his chest. "Let's not break up anymore."
