Page 114 of Fallen Hearts

PIA

“Sorry to bail on you guys, but I think I’m tapped.”

Delaney, Jules and I had just finished dinner at Bella Luna. At first when Delaney had asked, I’d told her the same as Parker and Beck… that I was planning to stay back and catch up on some work. Truth was, tonight was the night I’d planned to tell Mason that I couldn’t do this anymore. That I was getting way too attached, which sounded better than “I love you too much to be casual.” Because of it, I just wasn’t in the mood to be social.

But Delaney wouldn’t take no for an answer. Told me she knew why I was moping (okay, maybe I was moping a little) and that I should at least come to dinner.

“One more drink,” Jules prodded.

Was it my imagination, or did she and Delaney just exchange a look?

“I’ll grab the waitress and tell her one more round of wine,” Delaney said before I could stop her. If I’d known Jules better, I’d ask about that look. Something was off, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

Also, my nerves were absolutely shot, so more likely, it was all in my head.

“Couldn’t wait,” Delaney said, sitting back down. “You were 100 percent going to bail.”

“True. But I also hadn’t wanted to come in the first place.”

Jules was caught up on the Mason drama so knew the real reason I’d planned to stay home.

“Are you glad you did?” Delaney asked.

“I am. That manicotti rivaled my mother’s. Please don’t ever tell her, though.”

“I would never,” Delaney said.

We finished our wines, talking about our jobs, Jules’s writing, and finally, when the thought of breaking up completely with Mason popped into my head for the millionth time, I pulled out my wallet.

Again, the two women seemed… off. Delaney got on her phone, presumably to text her boyfriend. When she finished, she finally agreed to let me go, and the three of us paid and left. Although it was only a few blocks off the main square in town, the two insisted on walking me back to the inn.

As expected, the house was quiet. Beck was working, and Parker had headed to O’Malley’s. There hadn’t been any messages, but I still headed over to the guest section of the inn. All was quiet there too.

I’d taken a shower before heading out, but since I was too keyed up to head to bed, and my brain would definitely not function to do any work, I took another. Made a coffee—probably a terrible idea. Paced the kitchen for a while. And then finally, knowing Mason was home by now, and with no other choice, I headed to my bedroom and called him.

He answered on the first ring.

“Hey there,” he said, sounding more cheery than usual.

“Hey,” I said, aware my voice sounded as opposite as possible from his. “Why is it so dark over there?” I could barely see him.

“Too exhausted to turn on the lamp,” he said. “How’s it going?”

I sat up. Pooled the words together in my head. “It’s going,” I said, trying to figure out how to start.

“You look like you could use a little pick-me-up.”

I shook my head. “I’m not feeling it, to be honest,” I started, figuring he’d given me a good opening. I took a deep breath.

“How about you let me give you one anyway,” he said, cutting me off. “Come on into my bedroom.”

What did he just say?

“Excuse me?”

“I said, you look like you could use a little pick-me-up. Come into my bedroom, and I’ll give you one.”

He was making absolutely no sense.

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