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“Well, if you do, I’m sure Mason would listen.”
“Yeah, I’m sure he would.” He runs a thumb over his lip, thinking. “You sure you don’t need anything else? Food? When was the last time you ate?”
“I’ll eat on the bus.”
“You sure? Not always the best.”
I offer him a smile. “I’m sure.”
He falls silent, staring out the window ahead of him. There’s a tension radiating through him that’s not normally there, but I chalk it up to helping his best friend’s girlfriend leave him.
“The street for the bus station was back that way,” I murmur, absentmindedly staring out the window beside me as houses pass. We’re heading toward Malibu. The complete opposite direction from where we need to go.
“I know.”
I don’t move, but the way he says it sends a shot of fear down my spine.
“Got to stop by the store real quick. Can’t send you off without something to eat and drink.”
“Really, I’m fine.”
“Well . . . that’s to be determined.”
“What?” Icy panic seizes through me, but again, he offers me a calm, gentle smile.
“I mean with all the crazy shit going on. I know you think leaving will stop all of it, but . . . I don’t know.”
Oh . . .
“He loves you, you know?” Ian says after a moment, his voice quiet.
“I know.”
“And you love him?”
I can’t help the smile that graces my lips. “I do.”
“Yet, you’re willing to leave. Listen, Hannah, I’ve seen him with other women. He just . . . didn’t care about making it work. I can see him trying for you, and it’s strange to see him that way.”
I don’t know that I like where this conversation is going, but still, I nod to play along.
“He’s my best friend, Hannah. You have to understand that.”
“Ian, where are we going?”
“I told you—” he starts, but I cut him off.
“You’ve passed four gas stations that sell food.”
He shakes his head. “We need something better.”
“Where are you taking me?” I snap, rearing back in the seat to face him. He holds out his hand to caution me to calm down, but my heart is suddenly racing a mile a minute.
“Hannah,” he warns. “You’re overreacting.”
“I’m overreacting to you driving me out to the middle of nowhere?”
“We’re near the pier. It’s not that far.”
