Page 91 of Fallen Hearts

“Sounds good.”

We got and paid for the check, and having called for a car to drive us, all three of us a few drinks in, Jules steered me over to one of the brick-exposed walls. Artwork from local artists hung everywhere, but the painting she pointed to of a sunset was particularly pretty.

“Check this out,” she said.

I wasn’t an expert at judging art by any means, but the lakeside sunset perfectly captured Keuka Lake. “It’s beautiful. So realistic, almost like a photograph. But prettier.”

When I noticed Delaney’s expression, I finally put two and two together. Moving closer to it verified that it was, indeed, her painting. “Holy shit. I knew you said you painted, but Delaney, this is so good.”

“Thanks,” she said. “And they actually paid me for it, so even better.”

“Delaney is so talented. Every art teacher we had in school said she was amazing.”

“What can I say.” Delaney shrugged. “We’re just two struggling artists trying to find our way.”

“Well,” I said as we headed outside, “I admire both of you like crazy. I couldn’t paint, or write stories, or do anything creative like that, even if you put a gun to my head.”

“I don’t think I could write with a gun to my head,” Jules admitted. “That would be way too stressful.”

We all laughed as the car pulled up. “Where are we headed?” I asked.

“O’Malley’s,” Delaney answered with a smile on her face. “Figured you wouldn’t mind heading there.”

“Another place I haven’t been in ages,” Jules said. “I really need to get out more.”

She didn’t get it, but I did. Delaney knew full well Mason hung out there, and had probably guessed I wanted to see him. I gave her a smile and my friend winked back.

Hey, I tried. Wasn’t my idea to head there, and I’d tell Mason that. Not that it mattered. I was pretty sure the “playing it cool” ship had long sailed. And most importantly, I was going to see Mason in a matter of minutes.

The butterflies in my stomach worried me. I was very likely setting myself up for a massive heartbreak, but what could I do at this point but ride the wave and hope the crashing down wasn’t too hard.

* * *

“There’s my girl.”

Two things hit me when I saw Mason at the bar. First, he was sloshed. It was the first time I’d seen him drunk, but there was no doubt he’d been here a while. Second, being called “my girl” by a drunk “not my boyfriend” should not be giving me full-body tingles.

Didn’t somebody say that expectations were the thief of joy?

“Hi there,” I said as the three of us walked up to the bar. He’d been talking to someone I didn’t know when we came in, but Mason’s full attention was on me. Hauling me into his side, he wasn’t shy about kissing me, and I wasn’t shy about returning the kiss, though I did end it fairly quickly, not wanting things to be awkward in front of the girls.

“Mason, you know Delaney. And this is Juliette Porter.”

Mason smiled at Delaney. Good to know he was a fun drunk. Mason seemed pretty darn happy.

“Jules,” she said to Mason from behind me as I angled so the girls could get closer to the bar. “My mother knew your dad. I’m very sorry to hear of your loss.”

“Thank you,” Mason replied in a moment of sobriety. “Jules Porter. Hmm. You’re from Cedar Falls?”

“Not originally. I moved here when my parents divorced in seventh grade. I think you were a senior at the time.”

I hadn’t realized Jules was that much younger than Delaney and me.

“Delaney baney,” Beck called from behind the bar. “What can I get my girl and her friends?”

Suddenly the “my girl” steam was taken out of Mason’s words. And now I was just being silly. What the hell was wrong with me?Water, Pia. Be like water.

As they ordered drinks, I gave my attention to Mason.

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