Page 94 of Take Me
Look, I feel silly.I got scared and hid, but I’d like to meet up and talk now.Where do you see things going with us?
Or what if I lead with an apology?Dive in and tell him I’m sorry I’ve been such a chicken.That might be the best approach.
I’m dialing his number when it dawns on me Mason might be with family.Lucy did say she’d be skipping a rehearsal in favor of spending the evening with her crew.What if Mason’s playing board games with Harper or dishing up chowder with his mother and siblings?He sees Parker and his dad so seldom, plus Noah flew in this morning.
If he’s with them right now, I won’t interrupt.
I toggle to the app that shows his location.It’s the first time I’ve checked it all week, and I feel a bit guilty doing it now.Do I have any right to know where he is when I’ve dodged him for days?
I debate for a minute, hearing my father’s voice in my ears.
I’d rather be armed with courage and knowledge and wit.
I’ve got the courage—I’m trying, anyway—and maybe the wit.Now I need knowledge in the form of finding out if he’s actually free to talk.
Tapping the locator icon, I zoom in on Mason.It takes me a second to pinpoint his spot.He’s on the northeast edge of town, not at Lucy’s or his place or even at Big One’s.
My stomach twists as I zoom in on the map.I know what I’m seeing before the business name comes into focus.
Cherry Blossom Lake Animal Clinic.
Annabelle.Mason’s with Annabelle.
My hand starts to shake as I set down the phone.It’s done.He’s with her, and that’s all there is to it.I gave it a shot, but there’s no sense in chasing a man who’s spoken for.
Swallowing hard, I stuff my phone in my pocket.I draw a few breaths to gather my strength.To make my heart stop aching like somebody squished it in a vise.
It’s better this way.Mason belongs to Annabelle.That’s all there is to it.
So why won’t my heart get the message?
Chapter15
Mason
“He’s fine.”
Annabelle unhooks her stethoscope, looping it over her neck.Scratching my dog’s fuzzy ears, she repeats the diagnosis for his benefit.“Aren’t you fine, good boy?Such a strong, healthy, fuzzy-fit pup?—”
“You’re positive.”I study the lethargic swish of his tail.“He just seems…down.”
“Has anything changed in his world lately?”She sounds like she’s humoring me.“Maybe you’ve been home less with all the wedding stuff going on?”
I’ve actually been home more than ever, since I’ve taken the last few days off work.“Erika,” I mumble.“She’s —uh—moved out.”
“Oh God, Mason.”Annabelle looks stricken.“It’s not because of me, is it?”
Dammit, I shouldn’t have said that.I try to recall what Erika wrote in her letter.Something about playing it off like we’re trying to work through a rocky patch.
But I’m honestly not a great actor.“I don’t know,” I admit.“I think it’s a lot of things.”
Annabelle squeezes her eyes shut, fingers still stroking my dog.“I feel like such an asshole.Is there anything at all I can do?”She opens her eyes again.“I’ll drive over to her place tonight and swear on my life that you and I never?—”
“It’s okay.”That might make everything worse.“It’s my fault, too.I didn’t tell her how much she means to me until it was too late.”
“Really?”She cocks her head.“I mean, she must have had some idea, if you’ve been living together.It’s kinda obvious, seeing you two together, how much you care about each other.”
“I guess.”I’m treading on thin ice, not willing to betray secrets I’ve held with Erika.
