My throat grows tight and I move to sit on the same sofa as him, hating the distance between us.
“Yes, you did. But they’re still there—both of them.Scarlet shouldn’t have to be there alone all the time, Mason. I worry about her.”
“I worry about her too.” He rolls his lips as if his confession pisses him off.
“I’ll be there, Ellis too. It would mean the world to Scar. We don’t even have to do it right away, just think about it.” I give him a small smile, eyeing his fingers that are playing with a small piece of frayed cotton on the pillowcase.
He lifts his head, looking so deep into my eyes, I worry he will see the secrets I bury deep in my soul. “I’ll think about it.”
“Okay.” I don’t mention the ball. I figure baby steps are the best tactic with him after getting him to even consider going to the estate.
“I’m going to go check your clothes. I think it’s best that you wait here.” I give him a wink, trying to lighten the mood.
“Nina.” He stops me as I pass him, grasping my wrist.
I look down at him, wanting to laugh at the stupid pillowcase but completely caught off guard by the look in his eyes. “Thank you.”
“What for?” I frown.
His thumb traces my skin, where his bangle once sat. “I haven’t been able to take Ellis to the estate. I presumed you went—obviously you did that day you got fired, so I hoped you did. But to know you make the effort to take Ellis to see them. It means a lot.”
I nod, my eyes blurring. “I don’t just go for Ellis, Mason, although he is the main reason. I go for me too. And you. Your father was an incredible man, and I’ve only heard wonderful things about your mum.” I pause, not knowing if Iwant to bare myself to him completely. Tonight has been weird. “I feel close to you when I’m at the house.”
He lets me go and I figure he probably needs a minute. I get his clothes which are now dry and then place them on the arm of the chair. “I’ll leave you to get changed. You can post the key back through the door on your way out.”
He nods and I make myself scarce, feeling more confused than ever.
In my bedroom, I slip out of my jumper and then pull on my usual nightshirt. Needing to clean my teeth, I pull open the door and stop short, finding Mason standing on the other side, his hands gripping the frame and his head hanging as if it had been resting against the wood.
My hand goes to my heart, and his eyes drop to my top, then to my bare legs. “Nice T-shirt. I’m sure I had one like that once.”
My cheeks flush.
“Thank you for dinner. I’ll see you soon, Nina.” He bends, placing a soft kiss to my forehead before stalking off down the hall.
FOURTEEN
Nina
It’s been two weeks. Two weeks since he kissed me, and you’d think it never happened. He comes to his PT sessions and basically does his own thing. I give him some lip and he gives it back, but then he goes home. He doesn’t offer me lifts, he doesn’t linger when he drops or picks up Ellis. I’d call him out on it, but truthfully, I’m just glad that we can be in the same room without going at one another.
With Ellis at Mason’s for the weekend, I’ve found myself cleaning the apartment from top to toe. I’ve barely slept and when five a.m. rolls around, I climb out of my bed and slip on my sweats. I’d run alone, but I know Joey has been avoiding me and I want to get him out of his apartment. He’d be a total recluse if I let him.
“Joe!” I whisper, shaking his shoulder.
“Hmmm.”
“Wake up!” I shove him harder.
He groans, rolling away from me. “Please, go away.”
“No, get up, we are running. I’ll get you water.”
“Coffee.”
“You can’t run with coffee.”
“I hate you.”
