He wasn’t sure if chemistry was transferable, but it couldn’t hurt to try, right?
“Sure, I could take some time around lunchtime.We could eat and then go there for dessert?”
“Perfect.”He turned the corner and smiled as he saw the food trucks that were his destination, already feeling more relaxed as he put a plan into place and prepared to reward himself with good food.“And then Outlands in the evening.”
“Right.”
Was it his imagination, or had she hesitated just a little?Did she sound excited or reluctant?
“Right then.I’m about to get lunch now.”
“Okay.I will see you on Friday then.”
“Great.”
“Great.Bye.”
Hanging up the phone, Mason grimaced as he pushed it into his pocket.He didn’t think he was imagining how awkwardly the call had ended.They would get better at all of this.They’d jumped from acquaintances to engaged very quickly.They just needed practice.
But he’d done the right thing, and he could feel good about that.
Now.Was he in the mood for gourmet grilled cheese orbirriatacos today?
A cool gust of wind blew past him, making him shiver.The tacos.He needed a little bit of heat.Getting into line for the Rojo Fondo Taco truck, Mason tilted his head back and stared up at the sky.It was very blue today, with puffy white clouds.A gorgeous day.A perfect day.And he was making good choices, taking steps toward the future he wanted and improving his skill at being a good fiancé.
So, why did he feel like something was very wrong?
ChapterTen
Audrey
Game night with the girls.Audrey couldn’t remember the last time she’d done such a thing.She was glad it was happening, though, because otherwise, she would be spending tonight alone in her apartment, an absolute nervous wreck because her bakery was opening tomorrow.Sure, it was the soft open, but she was just as nervous about that as the grand opening.
If the soft open didn’t go well, how could they possibly handle a grand opening?They couldn’t.Unless no one showed up.But she didn’t want to hope for no one showing up to her grand opening.
“Stop it.”
Audrey jerked in surprise, the seatbelt tightening across her chest at her sudden movement, and looked at Cassidy, who was driving.
“Stop what?”
“Stop thinking that you’re going to fail.”Cassidy glanced at her and smiled.“It’s going to be great.Everything’s ready.Ashley texted me that you’re all set.”
“We are.Although…”
“No.”
“You don’t even know what I was going to say!”
“The whole reason I’m driving tonight is so you can’t try to sneak away to go back to the bakery.”Cassidy gave her another stern look before refocusing on the road.“Everything is set.I know you’re going to be there crazy early tomorrow morning.You’ve been working like mad all week.Tonight, you’re going to relax and have fun and be with friends.”
Audrey huffed.“For someone who hasn’t known me for very long, you do a much better job of reading me than people I knew for years.”
“Yeah, well, trauma will do that to you,” Cassidy joked, although it wasn’t really a joke.“I’m always paying attention to people’s moods.”
“Sorry.I didn’t mean to remind you of that.”Audrey immediately felt terrible that she’d brought it up.She and Cassidy hadn’t talked much about what Cassidy’s abusive ex had been like, but she was sure the other woman’s memories were terrible.Audrey knew he’d been abusive while they were together, stalked her after they broke up, harassed her friends, put trackers in her shoes, then tried to kidnap her, before finally shooting David… after which he got a knife to the throat, as David had so charmingly put it.But those were just the facts, not what it had been like to live through all of that.
“It’s okay.Some days, everything reminds me of him.Other days, I’m totally fine.It’s all part of the healing process.”Cassidy’s voice was remarkably calm, considering what they were talking about.“The important thing is that I got away.A lot of women don’t.”
