Why do I care?
“It’s kind of what you always do. Run.”
“That’s not fair.”
He looks off to the side, his jaw clenching. “Would you have come back? Are you going to come back?”
No.
“You’re always so grumpy, Mase. Lighten up. I did, and I feel great!” I go to tap his nose, but it ends up higher than I anticipated, and I catch him in the eye.
“Fuck,” he spews.
My face screws up in guilt, and I bare my teeth as I cringe. “I think I just need to go to bed.” I shake my head, giggling.
“Me fucking too! In!” He opens the passenger side door, and I slide inside.
Rounding the car, I see him rubbing at his eye, and it sets me off again. I snort through my nose before I start laughing uncontrollably.
“I used to think you were so beautiful when you laughed.” He shakes his head, turning the key in the ignition.
“I’m sorry, am I being a bitch?” I try to keep my face straight, but I’m too far gone and can’t control it.
“No, I?—”
I snort again, cutting him off.
He shakes his head, not at all amused. “Jesus Christ.”
“I will st-op.”
“And now we have the hiccups,” he tuts.
“Oh, no,” I say, completely serious. “Not the hi-cups.”
I can see Mason’s smile, but I can only feel pure panic.
“Lexie Grey’s mum died of th-e hiccups.”
“Who?”
“Just a friend.” I wave him off.
“You’re not going to die, Nina,” he tells me.
“That’s what they told Lexie’s mum!”
Closing my eyes, I take a big breath in and hold it. I can feel his eyes on me, but I need to get rid of my hiccups so I don’t dare look at him.
“Breathe, Nina, Jesus Christ! Youwilldie if you hold your breath for too long.” He cups the back of my head, and I snap my eyes open, instantly getting lost in his.
There is so much between us, so much in that one look.
I don’t know how we could ever be done. How do you walk away from someone who’s impacted you so profoundly and in such a short space of time? A little over two months. It’s all it took, and I am head over heels in love with him.
“Why do you have to hurt me, Mase?” I ask, looking at him through my lashes.
“Pix.”
