“Did you find a place okay?” Nora asks me. “I think the last time we spoke, you hadn’t finalized anything.”
I nod. “I did. It’s not far from here, and it’s perfect.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“If you hadn’t found somewhere, you could have crashed on my couch until you did. My roommate and I wouldn’t have minded.” Mason says with a kind smile.
I’m mixed between flattery and something else. The lack of trust in people rears its big ugly head. The sincere way he looks at me and the way Nora is looking at me tells me he isn’t going to hurt me, though.
But living with someone again isn’t something I ever want to do. Having my safe place involves having it all to myself.
“Thanks, that’s kind of you,” I say and peer out the window, freezing at who catches my eye.
It’s Marc walking past on the phone, with a back briefcase in hand.
Where is he going?
Where does he work?
The flutters in my stomach are back, and as I look at his profile, I sigh. Remembering his sloped nose, sculpted jaw covered in his five-o’clock shadow, and his brown hair, the perfect length to tug. My cheeks tingle from the flush that the thoughts are giving me.
“Gracie.” I hear my name being called. It sounds far away, and I quickly spin when I realize it’s Mason letting me know the waitress is dropping off my drink.
“Ah. Thanks,” I say and accidentally knock it over. As I rush to pick it up, she grabs a paper towel to dry it.
“I’m sorry. It was my fault. I seem to be a bit jerky,” I say, choking on a pretend laugh and wiping the liquid that spilled onto my black pants. Even though I’m feeling anything but funny.
“Are you okay?” Nora asks.
“Yeah, sorry, I was distracted. I thought I saw someone I used to know.”
A lump forms in my throat at the wordsused to know.
Is that it for us?
Yes.
I said that was it, because I have to remember he has a family.
I’m not a home-wrecker.
Never have and never will be one.
“Oh, I hate that feeling. Because it’s like is it, or is it not?” Mason says.
I take a sip of my drink, welcoming the warm coffee on my tongue. It’s definitely him, all right. His face is permanently fixed into my brain. There is no way I’d get him wrong, not when he was the only man to ever hold me.
No, I couldn’t forget that face even if my heart aches for what can’t be.
Chapter 12
Marco
“It’stimetogetup, sweetheart.”
No answer.
I stare down at Aria’s body coiled up under the blankets, her unruly blonde hair peeking out, while the rest of her stays hidden.