Page 16 of His Saving Grace

“Fantastic.” Becky pulled back a touch, the overpowering vanilla scent moving away with her. He dropped his hand from on top of hers, but she didn’t get the hint. Kept hers planted on his chest. “How long are you here for?”

“I’m not sure.”

She nodded, her head bobbing, like she was trying to think of something to say. “Okay, then.” She gave his chest one last rub and then dropped her hand to her side. “So, where are you headed? Want some company?”

“I’m just on my way to the diner. To see Isabella.”

At the mention of his sister-in-law’s name, Becky’s mouth tightened. Which was interesting, in a fucked-up way, given that she’d originally thought he was Owen. A spark of anger ignited in his belly. What the hell was Owen doing? Was he sleeping with Becky? While he was still married to Izzy?

“Nice.” She smiled, but this one didn’t reach her eyes. She glanced at her watch. “I just remembered, I have to go and meet someone.” The words had a brittle edge to them. “It was great to see you, Mason.”

“You too, Becky.”

She stepped away from him, and he could breathe again. She turned and started walking in the direction she’d come from. He pulled away from the wall, keeping his gaze on her. Her hips swung in a hypnotic rhythm. She glanced over her shoulder at him and when she saw he was watching, she gave him a flirty little smile. She most likely thought he was interested.

And there was a part of him that appreciated what he saw. But he was mostly making sure she was gone before he moved. Before she could see his limp. Before he had to answer any questions. Before she realized he wasn’t whole.

She threw him a little wave and then flipped her hair and turned away. And still he watched, waited. Once she rounded the corner at the end of the block, he let out a breath.

He waited a beat, and then two more, staring down the block. When she didn’t pop back around the corner, when he was sure she was gone, he pivoted and started walking to the diner. Although hobbling was more like it, and it took far too long to reach his destination.

The diner was just as he remembered. Large windows overlooking the street. Red and white checked half curtains for a touch of privacy. The red fluorescent light in the center window that spelled ‘diner’ in script. If you sat in the center booth, you’d be able to hear it hum.

Mason opened the glass door, sending the little bell into a tinkling frenzy, and stepped inside. The familiar scent of french fries and bacon grease hit him, and he was instantly back in high school. To the afternoons when he and Owen would come and hang out here after school or practice, eating greasy food and planning world domination.

“Mason Callahan.”

He turned at the familiar voice. Isabella had just come through the swinging kitchen door. A radiant smile broke out on her face, and her dark eyes sparkled. Her thick, black hair was pulled back in a braid that hung over her shoulder. Bits and pieces had escaped and framed her pretty face. She swept the ones on her forehead aside with the back of her hand.

He gave her a small wave, suddenly feeling self-conscious. Probably because everyone in the diner had turned to stare at him. Heat crept into his cheeks. Great, nothing like a fucking audience.

Izzy squealed, rushed across the diner and launched herself at him. She clamped her arms around his middle and squeezed. She was a tiny little thing, the top of her head only coming to the middle of his chest. He squeezed her back. A weird feeling rippled through him, but he ignored it. He wasn’t in the mood to dissect whatever the hell it was.

She pulled back a little, but didn’t let go, instead tilting her head up to look at him. This close, he could see the sadness in her eyes. She did a good job of masking it, but he’d known her for so long, it was very evident. His chest tightened.

“Hi Izzy,” he said, and then bent forward to place a chaste kiss on her forehead. She’d been a part of his life for as long as he could remember. There had been a time when he’d hoped she would choose him. They’d been kids, the three of them practically inseparable. And then, suddenly, she and Owen were a thing, so he backed off.

And look where that got them. Him, scarred and broken. Izzy and Owen just as damaged, in a more subtle, but no less heartbreaking way. And it seemed like both Owen and Izzy were still reeling from their heartbreak. It had torn them both apart.

She finally pulled away from him, but only to grab his hand and drag him toward a booth in the back. Her eyebrows drew together at his very pronounced limp, but she didn’t comment. Another thread of self-consciousness wound through him, snagging on his ribs, pulling his chest tight.

“I heard a rumor you were back in town, but I didn’t believe it.” She stopped next to the very last booth and nudged him into the red vinyl covered seat. She slipped into the one across the table. “Because there’s no way you’d come all the way to California and not come and see me.”

He slid into the booth. His hip cramped and he winced. Squirmed around like a kindergartener, trying to find a position where it would just fucking quit already. He slumped down and stretched his leg out as straight as he could under the table. It helped a little, but he was still a touch too tall.

He lifted one of his shoulders in a shrug. “I’m here now, aren’t I? And the delay wasn’t my fault. There were some paperwork issues I had to deal with. Besides, I’ve only been back for five days.”

She bent forward so her chin was almost resting on the table. He was about to ask what she was doing, and then he felt her wrap her fingers around his ankle. She lifted his leg and placed it on the seat next to her. “All right fine, I guess I can forgive the slight. This time.” She winked and then motioned to the end of the booth, next to the wall. “Scooch.”

He shuffled over, letting his leg stretch out. The tension in his hip relaxed. He bit back a groan. “Thanks.”

“Anytime. Do you want anything? Some coffee, or some food?”

She was always thinking about others, usually to the detriment of her own well-being. “No, I’m good.”

She smiled and reached across the table to take his hand. She gave it a squeeze, concern clouding her dark gaze. “You look much better than the last time I saw you.”

The hospital in Germany. Everything about those early days, after the attack, was still a little hazy. He’d been heavily medicated and in a great deal of pain.