Benny walks in and I see them talk for a moment, but then he leaves, closing the door and leaving her in the room.
I dial his number.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
“She needed a minute.”
“I told you to get her out.”
She places herself back in front of the door and I think she’s going to carry on, but then she slides to the ground and holds her face.
What the hell.
“Shall I go back inside?”
“No.” I hang up.
She looks to the ceiling and wipes at her cheek, and I instantly want to go to her.
What’s wrong with her? She was about to come twenty seconds ago.
I don’t know how long she sits there for, on the cold floor of my office, staring at the same spot on the ceiling. But I sit with her, hoping she doesn’t feel as alone as she looks. I sit long after she gets up and puts on her brave face. And I sit long after she leaves.
She always leaves.
SIX
Nina
Thankfully, the girls were ready to leave when I went and found them. Vinny arrived not long after and now we are on our way home. I’m desperate to crawl into bed and forget the evening.
We drop the girls off at their apartment and they both try and get me to go in with them, but I decline, wanting to be home for when Ellis gets back in the morning.
Scarlet is staying at Mason’s so that Vinny won’t have to drive all the way out to Lowerwick this late.
The tree-lined road that houses Mason’s building comes into view and my stomach knots. I don’t know what happened tonight, but I knew I couldn’t kiss Pax when it was Mason on my mind. And then when I got to the office, the need to feel him… It was overwhelming. I don’t know if seeing him again is a good idea. Not when there’s clearly still so much between us.
“Thanks, Vinny,” Scarlet says as she unclips her seat belt.
“Will you need a lift home tomorrow, love?” Vinny asks.
“Uh, yeah, I probably will actually.” She pulls me in for a hug. “You sure you wanna go home alone? Don’t want to come inside and give me some moral support with my brother.”
I shake my head. “I can’t, Scar.” I know things have been strained between Mason and Scarlet. The only thing that keeps them in contact is Ellis these days and that upsets me. They both deserve more.
“Okay, see you and my little monster in the week.”
She gets out of the Audi and walks to the elevator, just like I’ve done myself so many times before.
My entire world lives behind those steel doors, lying asleep mere metres away.
I miss my home.
“You sure you don’t want to go to the girls’ apartment?” Vinny asks, watching me in the mirror.
“I want to be at home?—”
“For Ellis. I know.” He smiles softly as he pulls out of the parking garage and onto the busy street.
