Vinny followed me home.I’m not sure if he was trying to be discrete, but the Audi was always within a short distance behind me each time I looked back.
Running always allowed me time to think, so the urge to stop and get a lift was strong.
Knowing it is Mason being overprotective, I didn’t stop and bitch at Vinny for following me. If I’m honest, I don’t know how I would feel if the Audi wasn’t outside the studio after I finished work.
Mason’s thoughtfulness and need to keep me safe only makes me want him more. I’ve never had someone take such concern in my whereabouts. Maybe that’s one of the things that is holding me back.
I bend, my hands planted on my knees as my lungs gasp for air. Tilting my head up, I stare up at my building.
“You’re quick, girl!” Vinny smiles at me from the front seat.
He leans down on the passenger side and grabs a bottle of water then holds it out to me.
“Vinny, my apartment is right there. Tell your boss he needs to ease up on the plastic. He is already putting unnecessary emissions into the air by following me home.”
“I’ll be sure to tell him.” He smirks.
I know he won’t.
“See you later, Vinny. Thank you.” I wink, jogging up the steps.
The moment I get to my floor, I hear them, and I close my eyes in anticipation, wondering if I should go back to the studio.
Why are they even here?
I push into the apartment and find the entire living space in smoke. “What the hell?!”
“Nina! Hey, you’re home!” Lucy shouts.
I flap my hand in front of my face as I try to make them out through the smog. Lucy is on Megan’s shoulders, flapping a tea towel at the smoke alarm.
I begin to cough, the smoke being drawn into my lungs. “Jesus Christ!”
I rush to the window, opening it as far as it will go, then stalk to the kitchen where I grab the oven glove and throw the smouldering baking tray into the sink.
“Seriously?!”
Megan ducks down, letting Lucy fall to her feet.
“Chinese or Indian?” Luce cringes.
* * *
“What areyou guys even doing here?” I ask around a mouthful of noodles. The girls sit on the sofa behind me, both with towels wrapped on top of their heads. The apartment still smells like smoke, but at least we no longer do.
“Mason messaged,” Megan says casually.
“And told you what exactly?”
“That you needed us.”
“That’s it? That’s all he said? He didn’t say why?”
“Nope, he isn’t a chatty man, Nina.” Lucy shrugs.
“Sooo… what did he do?” Megan asks.
I face forward again and drop my head back to the sofa. “Nothing. Everything.”
