V alentine’s Day arrived and Sylvie was alone. That disheartening fact hit her hard. Her main reason for coming to Winnipeg in the first place had been to avoid feeling this way. Spending the most romantic day of the year by yourself was depressing. The day was made worse by her thoughts of Kimber. The young girl was supposed to be attending a dance tonight, but their deal hadn’t gone according to plan. Nothing had turned out right.

Sylvie wanted to keep the covers over her head and pretend the sun hadn’t risen. As she peeked out into the empty living room, the quiet greeted her. She sat up. Nothing had changed. A tour of the condo confirmed that Martin hadn’t returned. His tux for the evening hung in his closet and the bed resembled a war zone, exactly as they had left it from the previous morning.

Her phone buzzed, and she reached into her pocket. It was an unknown number, but she answered, thinking Martin had lost his phone. “Hello.”

“Hi Sylvie.” Renny’s deep French accent greeted her and a blast of memories assaulted her. “I’ve been trying to reach you, but you haven’t responded. We need to talk.”

She leaned against the wall. Shocked and completely taken aback by his call. It took her a moment to speak. “Why?”

“I’m in Winnipeg and I’d love to see you. Where are you? Please, Sylvie. Don’t shut me out anymore.” His words registered and her eyes nearly bugged out of her head.

“You’re here.” She closed her eyes and wondered what he wanted. What would drive him across the ocean and half the country?

He chuckled, and it was like being transported back in time. “Yes, and I want to see you. I’ve come a long way. Give me the address where you are and I’ll be there within half an hour.”

“Okay,” she responded out of habit and gave him the address to the condo. Sylvie hung up and raced to the shower. The last time she saw him, she looked like a pathetic mess. This time would be different. She wasn’t the same girl he left all those months ago.

Wearing the power outfit Martin bought her when she arrived, she had the courage to conquer the world; or at least confront her ex. When she opened the door, her knees went weak. His dirty blond curls were longer and his dimples deeper than the last time they’d been together.

“Wow. You look great. Are you going to invite me in?” His voice was the same. He leaned against the door frame while holding a lone red rose under his nose. “This is for you.”

She swiped the flower from his hand. “I guess, although I’m not sure why you’re here or what we have to say,” she said, opening the door wider for him.

He kissed both of her cheeks before walking into the room like he owned it. Renny had a calm confidence she’d always admired. He adjusted his glasses and sat down, crossing his leg over one knee. “We have so much to talk about. Please, sit with me.”

She sat on the opposite couch. “When did you get back and what are you doing here?” There was no point in beating around the bush.

He laughed and scratched the beard on his chin. That was different. He’d always been clean shaven when they were together. She preferred the old look. Renny sat forward. “It’s Valentine’s Day, and I had to spend it with my girl.”

Her ears must have heard wrong. She shook her head and tossed the flower on the table. “Come again?”

“I missed you, and I finished my research ahead of schedule. You were the first person I wanted to see when I got home, but you weren’t there. It took me almost two weeks to track you down here.”

“How did you find me?”

He avoided her question and talked about his thesis. Renny loved talking about himself. The more he talked, his voice, his laugh and his presence reminded her of an old routine. Being around him was like wearing an old comfortable pair of sweat pants. Only she’d given that pair away long ago.

“I’m glad your trip went well, but that doesn’t explain why you’re here. Who told you I was here?” There were only a handful of people that knew her whereabouts. It’s not that she was hiding from him, but his unexpected appearance wasn’t welcomed.

“I called your mother’s house a million times, but she refused to tell me. Oddly enough, I bumped into Evaline Thomas on the street one day and she told me you were here. I should have guessed you’d be here after you got rid of our apartment,” he said with a frown.

“Don’t sound hurt about that. You left me! You’re the one who packed your shit and left first. What did you expect to happen? Really, Renny… did you think I’d stay there forever. Hoping and praying that maybe when you came home, you’d give me a pity fuck or something.”

“Jesus, no. Calm down. We talked about this before I left. I said I’d come back, and we’d pick up where we left off. We both needed that time to grow—”

“That is so rich! Am I on camera right now? This shit is too funny.”

He furrowed his brows. “What’s funny? You wanted a Valentine’s Day wedding, and I wanted to give it to you. I tried to find you sooner, but… I’m here and we can get back together.”

“Why would I take you back? We weren’t that good together.”

He stood up and paced the room. “We were perfect for each other and we still are. Nothing has changed.”

“Everything has changed. How many women did you have to sleep with for you to realize how good you had it? Tell me. I can handle it. How many women sucked you dry until you begged them to stop? Come on, let’s be honest with each other.”

“Sylvie, it’s not like that. I only love you. I called you every week.” He dropped to his knees by her feet and grabbed her hands. “You were never far from my mind or my heart.”

She laughed, sitting back on the couch and away from him. Her heart wasn’t his anymore and the man who had it was avoiding her. God, she’d really made a mess of her life. “You loved me so much you needed to have sex with other people.” She couldn’t help but raise her voice. “Do you hear yourself right now? How would you feel if I fucked someone else?”

Martin picked that moment to open the door, and she wanted to die. He looked ragged like he'd had a night from hell. The flowers in his hands were at odds with his wrinkled suit. His hair looked even more out of shape than when she’d seen him last. But he was still the sexiest man on earth. His eyes traveled between her and Renny and their joined hands. He didn’t say a word as he marched past them into his bathroom.

The room got silent after he slammed the door. She waited until the water turned on in the shower to exhale. Her eyes remained glued to the door. She couldn’t move. She wondered what he’d been through and why he didn’t come home.

Renny rambled on, but she tuned him out. Her focus was on Martin. The shower turned off, and she held her breath. A moment later, Martin stomped into the bedroom without looking back. She shot to her feet. She had to go to him and make sure he was okay.

“Renny, you should go.”

He wouldn’t let go of her hands. “I’m not leaving without you. Give us a second chance. I messed up, but I deserve an opportunity to win you back.”

“You hurt me. Broke my heart and made me feel like I had let you down. You said so many hurtful things, Renny. My ears cannot unhear them and my heart will never forgive you.”

He pulled her into his arms. “I was such an idiot. The stress of school and the pressure of buying you a ring was too much. I’m not sure what happened. Somewhere along the way, I resented you. Thinking if we got married right away, I’d never get out of Montreal. We’d be in a rut. But I left and so did you.”

She tried to pull away, but he held her firmly in his arms. “Are you serious? You knew I’d go anywhere. My company’s mobile, but you never asked. Our relationship ended, and it’s for the best. I can see that now. Took me a long time to get here, but I’m good with it.”

“I’m not okay with it. You loved me once, and you could love me again.”

“That’s not possible. My heart is no longer available.”

“Why?” He jerked his head towards the bedroom. “Because of him! You’re in love with the stupid jock. You’re kidding, right?” His grip on her arms tightened.

“Never call him that. He’s a professional athlete, and it’s none of your business who I love. You lost the right to know anything about me when you walked out on me.”

“Don’t be dramatic. That boy has always wanted what’s mine. He can’t have you. We took a break like civilized adults and we discussed getting back together. Now is the time for us.” He picked her up off the ground and kissed her. Twirling her around like they were rejoicing a happy moment.

When she tore her mouth away, her eyes landed on Martin in his tux. The shirt was open and untucked, revealing layers of muscles. He held onto the tie so tight in his hands, his knuckles turned white. His lips formed a thin line. Those were the only lips she wanted.

Renny saw him too, and he kissed her again. She pushed against his chest, ending the kiss as quickly as it started, but before she could get a word in he shouted. “I’m so glad we’re getting back together. I love you so much!” He lowered her to the ground as Martin closed the door.

He left without saying a word. Not one syllable. Nothing. If he’d cared for her, he would have fought for her. At least he should have thrown Renny out for being the bastard that broke her heart. A friend would have done that. But he couldn’t be bothered. Too wrapped up in his own dilemma to give a shit about her.

“Get out Renny! Go back to Montreal and leave me alone. I’ve moved on and it’s time for you to do the same.” She walked to the door and opened it.

He smiled, flashing the dimples that had sucked her in when she was a young girl. “We can talk again back home. I will not give up.”

Her eyes burned, and she blinked to keep the tears at bay. “Prepare to be disappointed because I don’t love you anymore, and I never will again.” She pointed to the exit, and he finally listened. “Goodbye Renny.” She kissed his cheeks and closed the door behind him.

The first tear fell before she let go of the doorknob. She stumbled into the bathroom for tissue and saw the flowers in the sink. She grabbed the card. In Martin’s scribbled handwriting were the words. I’m sorry.

She was too.

Sorry for everything.