Page 41
I chew on my bottom lip as I peek up at her. “Maybe I could love him. One day. It would be safer and easier all around.”
“Um, who the fuck are you and what have you done with my best friend? You never take the safe or easy route.”
“And look where that got me,” I quip and her face falls. After a few seconds, she shakes her head.
“Don’t let that rule your whole life, Kady. It was a terrible, awful thing that happened to you but don’t let it steal the rest of the years that you have left on this earth. And if you do decide to follow your heart and choose Noah, he’ll face down whatever comes your way with you. He’s not going anywhere this time.”
I study her for a second before nodding. “I love you, Han. You’re the best friend a girl could ask for.”
“Shit,” she says as she blushes. “You flatter me.”
I laugh and she nudges me with her shoulder.
“One thing, though. Whatever you decide with Noah, I think you need to end things with Mason. I’m fairly certain that the boy is falling in love with you and he’s too decent of a guy for you to string him along.”
I nod, remembering his confession of love the other night. She’s right. Mason and me are a separate issue than Noah and me - one that I need to deal with as soon as possible. Hell, maybe it’ll even give me some clarity.
A girl can hope, right?
* * * *
Wringing my hands together, I pace back and forth in front of the living room window as I watch the driveway, waiting for Mason to show up. After my talk with Hannah earlier, I spent the rest of my shift thinking about what I’m going to do about this mess that I’ve found myself in and there are a lot of things that I still don’t have answers for but when it comes to Mason, I know I have to end things. He’s such a good man and he’s been nothing but amazing to me, which is why it’s not fair for me to drag him along as I figure out what’s going on between Noah and me. Hannah was right there, too. I’ve never stopped loving Noah, no matter how much I lied to myself or pushed it down so I didn’t have to face the truth. But that doesn’t mean we’re a good idea.
As far as I can tell, I have two options. One, I accept that Noah and me are “end game” as he said and face whatever the consequences of that choice are together or I disappear. I’m not fond of the second option and leaving Hannah would kill me but I’ll do it if I have to. I’ll run far away from here with a new name and start a whole new life if that’s what it comes to. Anything to avoid the hell that I was in six years ago.
Mason’s Camaro pulls into the driveway, setting off the motion alarm, and I suck in a breath as I position myself in front of the window and watch him park. He steps out and I’m comforted by the fact that he can’t see me right now. I know it’s not much but I welcome a few more seconds to compose myself before I break this man’s heart. I remember the desperate look on his face as he begged me for assurance only a few nights ago and guilt eats away at me.
He steps up on the porch and knocks on the door. I run my hands down the front of my shirt as I turn toward the door. Almost mechanically, I walk over to it and pull it open. He grins.
“Hey, gorgeous. I was thrilled to get your text.”
I allow him to pull me into a hug but when he tries to kiss me, I artfully dodge him and turn toward the kitchen. “You hungry? I thought we could eat.”
“Sure,” he says with a scowl as he follows after me. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just a long day at work. A few newborn puppies were left there last night and Dr. Hebert called me in at five this morning.”
He nods, studying me. “Is there something else?”
“Look, Mason,” I sigh. “Maybe we should just eat first.”
His blue eyes roam over my face, searching for answers and after a few seconds, his eyes widen and he shakes his head, stepping back. “You’re leaving me, aren’t you?”
“I’m so sorry,” I murmur, taking a step back and flinching as the accusation hits its mark. He runs a hand through his hair before he glances up at me with questioning eyes.
“Because of him?”
I shake my head. “No.”
“Bullshit.” He turns away from me and paces a few steps before turning back around. “I can’t believe this.”
“Honestly, Mason. I’m not leaving you for him. That’s not why I need to end things.”
He arches a brow. “Why then?”
My stomach does a little flip as I walk across the kitchen and lay my hand on his arm. “The other night you told me you love me and then last night, Noah said the same thing.”
“I knew it.”
