Page 78 of I Heart Mason Cartwright
“It’s okay,” I say to her, placing my fingertips on her thigh to get her attention. I ignore the flutter in my chest when I touch her.
“So stupid,” Willow mumbles under her breath. I’m pretty sure I’m the only one who heard her. This has obviously made her angry. I can feel the tension in her body from here in the next chair. I know she takes it personally when her family does things that she doesn’t agree with, so I will try to find a way to convince her that it’s okay.
I return my attention to my now cold steak. The table around me is quiet. Everyone’s mood somber. We finish dinner in silence and don’t stay for dessert, after-dinner cocktails, or dancing in the lounge. Jonathan and Cassandra give us a ride to Willow’s in the town car, which is really a limo. I find it incredibly ostentatious that this is the way they choose to travel but keep my thoughts to myself. I’ve said enough about my feelings toward them tonight. No need to exacerbate the situation further.
The limo pulls to a stop in the curve of the driveway in front of Willow’s house and I’m the first one out. I poke my head back in to address Jonathan. “I’ll leave a check with Willow. Unless you’re worried it won’t clear.”
“That will be fine,” he replies, not quite meeting my gaze.
I wait on the front porch for Willow to unlock the door. I can hear P-Tink sniffing around the door and letting out the occasional Husky howl since she somehow knows it’s Willow. Sadly, I’ll probably miss the dog the most. Maybe second only to seeing this house come into its full glory. I won’t begin to rank where Willow lies on the list of things I’ll miss. I step aside to let her through to the door, Zach follows behind her.
“AshLynn is going to stay with her parents tonight,” he says to me. I nod in response. It doesn’t matter, I’m not staying. I’ll go to a hotel or my mom’s. There’s no reason for me to be here any longer and I’m not about to take advantage of Willow’s hospitality. “So,” he continues. “Looks like you’ll have the guest room all to yourself finally.”
“Oh, I’m not staying,” I say.
Willow turns. “Why not?”
“I don’t want to impose.”
“Don’t be silly,” she says. “You staying in the guest room does not impact me in the slightest. Given everything that’s happened tonight, I would really appreciate it if you’d stay.”
“Okay,” I say. “Thank you.” Making a new plan to be gone before the sun comes up anyway.
“I don’t know about you guys, but that was exhausting. Mason, I’m so sorry for the way my family has handled this. I feel embarrassed to even call them family right now.”
“It’s okay,” I say. “It has nothing to do with you. Shit happens. This is just one of those things, you know?”
She nods. “Okay, well, regardless, sleep well. I’ll see you in the morning.” She leans in and gives me a tentative hug. I return it just as hesitantly. Zach shakes my hand, and the two retreat to Willow’s bedroom while I head for the guest room.
Three hours later I’m still not asleep. I toss and turn, not sure what would make me feel better at this point. My brain won’t turn off and my body feels blitzed. I get up to use the restroom, then decide to head out to the deck to watch the water for a while. Someone has already beat me to it.
Willow is bundled in sweats, Ugg boots, and a puffy coat. She is turned to the side, her features illuminated by the light of the moon. I want to sketch her this way. She looks beautiful. I commit the image to memory, knowing that after tonight I’ll never have a chance to see it again.
