Chapter 26

Emilie

“Brandon…” I whisper, feeling the weight of his name as I try to rake my brain for something to say. But what do you tell someone who has just lost their parent? Nothing can take the pain away, so I say the only thing that comes to mind. “I’m… I’m so sorry for your loss.”

As soon as I’ve said those words, I regret them because I think I just broke the man I love.

Brandon’s hands grip the steering wheel tighter even though the car’s engine isn’t on, knuckles whitening. And then there’s a sound that shatters the silence—a guttural sob that seems to wrench from deep within him.

My heart lurches. Brandon, my Brandon, the guy who’s more likely to be a grumpy bastard than a sensitive, sweet guy, is crying. Tears are flooding down his face, and I feel terrible.

Should I have ignored the elephant in the room and not said anything?

“Hey.” My voice is strained since there’s a lump of guilt in my throat.

But it doesn’t stop me from trying to comfort him. I reach out tentatively, placi