He runs a hand down his face. “You wouldn’t understand. I never meant for this?—”
“Did you only show interest in me because of the piano?”
“What? No!”
“Why, then?” I snap, my body visibly trembling.
“Nina, please, there’s not a simple answer.”
“Fucking try me!” I yell, feeling my emotions slipping as I plead with him not to fuck this up any more than he already has.
“I can’t.”
“What?” I utter, my shoulders dropping.
“Mason, come on, lad.” Vinny steps forward, his voice laced with warning.
I’d almost forgotten he was there.
“Fuck off, Vinny!”
“You need to tell her the truth. You can tell her the truth.”
“Leave!” Mason growls, his face turning a deep shade of red.
“Don’t bother,” I tell Vinny, pulling the strap of my bag higher on my shoulder. “I’mleaving.”
I stare into Mason’s eyes, searching for the man I know is in there but continues to shut me out.
I go to move past him, but he grabs my upper arm, pulling me into him. “You’re getting good at this. Running.”
“And every time I run, you seem to cut me that little bit deeper.”
I see the turmoil in his eyes: the fear, the guilt, the anger and pain. I made a decision months ago to be that someone for him.
To stand beside him.
“You’re making it impossible for me to love you.”
He lowers his eyes to the ground, releasing me. “Just fucking go.”
I move on autopilot, entering the lift and letting the doors close behind me.
Mase
“She worked it out in the car. I don’t know how she knew about the piano.”
“She needed to know.” I shrug Vinny off, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Follow her.”
He nods. “What are you going to do?”
“I need to talk to Charlie.”
He lingers in the foyer, and I know he wants to say more.
“You could tell her. You know she would understand.”
“She isn’t the only person I’m trying to protect here, Vinny!” I snap.
