“Thanks. It’s a work in progress. I have a guest bedroom upstairs that’s nearly finished. You can stay there. I’ll show you later.”
“Okay. But I still don’t know why I’m staying with you.”
He looked at the ceiling. “Can’t you just accept when someone is trying to help you and say thank you?”
There he went again, making me feel like the spoiled brat he thought I was. I folded in on myself in defeat. “Thank you,” I whispered and walked into the kitchen.
He put the steaming mug on the counter in front of me. “I have to go and feed the animals. Make yourself at home. Or not. Just don’t break anything.”
Loki wandered over and sat down by my feet, looking up at me. He was so big, I didn’t have to bend down to stroke his head. “Hey beautiful. I hope you’re not as grumpy as your dad.”
He groaned and laid down, curled up in a huge ball, his nose tucked under his fluffy tail and his eyes closed. I sipped my tea, trying to come up with a plan. I had to find a way to get out of this house. Maybe Maisie could come and pick me up.
I pulled my phone out of my bag and hit my speed dial to call her. She picked up on the third ring, panting down the line like she had just run a marathon. Which was impossible because she hated exercise. “Estrella, what’s up?” she whispered, barely getting the words out.
“Where are you and why are you breathing heavy and whispering?” I asked, forgetting all about the reason why I called her in the first place.
“I was hiding from Oliver and locked myself out of the house. I was on the roof so I had to climb down.”
I chuckled. “How do you lock yourself out on the roof?”
“You climb out of the window and close it behind you. That’s how you lock yourself out on the roof. The damn thing gets jammed all the time. Now was there a reason why you called, or can I get back to hiding out in my yard?”
I stifled the urge to laugh. “Hide away. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Later,” she rushed out and hung up.
I didn’t want to call Nora. Willa was still away, and I didn’t have any other friends. Guess I had to stay for at least one night. But I could try to get someone to at least help me make sense of my situation. And Willa was the one who knew Mason the best, so I called her.
“My favorite Stella. How is the job going?” she answered.
I smiled when I heard her voice. She had only been gone a little over a week, but I missed her desperately. “Hey Wills. How’s the trip?”
“Amazing. It’s everything I ever wanted and more. I still can’t believe this isn’t a dream. Jameson is the easiest person to travel with. It helps that I’m a little in love with him too. And he asked me to move in with him when we get back home.” She let out a little squeal on the last part.
I was over-the-moon happy that she had found someone who loved her more than anything. And after everything her dad had put her through, she deserved it more than anyone.
“You are basically living together already, might as well make it official.”
“True.” She sighed and I knew I was about to lose her. Thoughts of Jameson tended to get her off track, and then she would just hang up, so I had to make this quick.
“I didn’t want you to find out from someone else; I thought I’d call and let you know that I had an accident.”
“You what? Are you okay? Where are you? Who’s with you? Do you want me to come home? What a stupid question.” There was some rustling and a bump before she was back. “Of course I’ll come home.”
“Willa, stop. It’s not that bad. And I’m okay. I’m staying with Mason.”
The phone went silent, and I held it away from my ear to check if I still had connection. Full bars.
“Wills? Are you still there?”
“You’re staying with Mason?”
“I know it’s weird but he kind of insisted. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Do I mind?” She scoffed. “What a stupid question. Take it back.”
I smiled. “Consider the question removed from our conversation. I guess you’re fine with me staying with him, then.”
