Chapter 111: Lumen

Sunday. Bistro Cool, Los Angeles, CA.

LUMEN TOOK A SIP of her drink and glanced about for the waiter. She still could not believe that she was sitting at a table with Max, of all people.

"Thanks for meeting me," he said as though he were reading her mind. "I know I didn't deserve you giving me the time of day."

She winced and set her glass down, surprised his statement cut so deep. "It's not that..."

"Lulu?" He leaned his elbows on the table and smiled at her.

Why did he have to look so good?

The wind ruffled his hair, and he had smile lines around his mouth now instead of the deep scowl creases she was used to.

He looked...

Happy.

She'd never made him look like that.

"Let's be real?" he said, continuing despite her internal thoughts. "I didn't know how to be the husband you deserved. And I wound up hurting you. A lot. I'm sorry. I don't expect forgiveness or anything. I just... I thought you deserved to hear that from me."