Chapter 21: A Tough Conversation

Louis walked into the office, feeling a sense of dread wash over him. He knew he had to talk to Beth, to apologize for his mistakes and try to make things right. But as he approached her desk, he could sense the wall she had built up around herself. She was indifferent, distant, and he knew he had a long way to go to break down her defenses. "Hey, Beth," he said, trying to sound casual. "Can we talk?" Beth looked up from her computer, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What is it, Louis?" Louis took a deep breath and sat down in the chair next to her desk. "I want to apologize," he said, his voice sincere. "I know I hurt you, and I'm so sorry for that. I was wrong to try to use you to get to Michael, and I was wrong to let things go as far as they did with Samantha" Beth raised an eyebrow. "Samantha?" she repeated, her voice cold. Louis winced, knowing he had made a mistake. His dad had teased him earlier that morning about Samantha, the lady he caught him with at his office when he