"I'm sorry but I'm not sure she'd want that."
Jake swallowed hard. "Please, I just need to see Bella," he said quietly. His voice shook just a little. "Just for a few minutes. I need to explain… I need her to hear me out, please."
Chloe's eyes softened a little, but she shook her head. "I understand but, she doesn't want to. Not right now. Not yet."
Jake felt a pang of fear and guilt at her words. "I understand," he said quickly. "But… if she could just step outside… just for a moment?"
Chloe shook her head again, a small frown on her face. "She's not ready. You know that. You hurt her badly. She needs space. At least for now."
Jake's hands clenched into fists, then relaxed slowly. "Then… I'll wait," he said, his voice low but firm. "I'll wait outside as long as it takes. I just… I need her to know I'm sorry. That I never wanted to hurt her. That it was all my fault."
