Page 80 of Hypnotized By Love

She waved her hand as if that part of it were inconsequential. “If anybody asks, I’ll tell them all about the self-help book I want to write and what a great help Mason was to me.”

As deranged as her idea had initially sounded, it was starting to appeal to me. I sat down in the chair next to my desk. It would be nice to have the conversation I needed to have without my hang-ups. To be able to relate the story dispassionately and get his honest reaction to it. “Sierra” telling him felt a lot safer than me having to do it.

Plus, he wouldn’t be able to distract me with his lips.

“This won’t work,” I said.

“You know it will. We’ve done it enough times. I also texted Bridget about it, and she gave me two thumbs-up.”

“Our hair is different lengths,” I pointed out. She had grown hers out a couple of inches longer than mine.

“Put it up in a messy bun like I would, and nobody will know.”

“You just have an answer for everything, don’t you?”

“Yep.” She nodded. “You should let him explain. Give him the benefit of the doubt.”

“I do doubt him.”

“You know that’s not what I meant. I figured you could have fun, under the right circumstances.”

“Sedated?”

She laughed and said, “No, I meant free of pressure and hatred and denial.”

“Denial is highly underrated and effective. Plus, it’s only denial if you’re wrong.”

“No, it’s only denial if it comes from a specific region in France. Otherwise it’s just sparkling delusion.”

I did laugh, although I didn’t want to.

“Come on, Savannah, you know you like the man. To quote Nana, ‘If the shoe fits, lace it up.’”

I didn’t think that was how the saying went, but I didn’t correct her. Not about that, anyway. “Maybe I used to have feelings for Mason—”

“You still do have feelings for him, and yes, you also used to as well. Do you know that in all these years that he and I have been talking—every single text, every conversation—he’s always asked about you?”

I did not know what to do with that information. Mason had spent years asking about me?

Another part of my defensive wall crumbled and shattered to bits.

He seemed to be doing that to me a lot lately.

Much as I wanted to stay here and hide out, he’d already shown me that wasn’t an option. He’d just sneak into my room again, and I’d be all too eager for that to happen.

It was probably better to take Sierra’s advice. She wasn’t going to let this go. She was too proud of herself for setting this up, and I didn’t want to disappoint her.

Although I suspected the real reason I was going to say yes was because I wanted to see Mason again.

“Okay. I’ll do it,” I said. She looked positively giddy. “And be quiet.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Your face has subtitles.” I let out a deep sigh. “When is this magical event supposed to take place?”

“In half an hour.”

“Half an hour?” I said, standing up. “That’s not enough time for me to get ready!”

---