“Oh,that.” I rub the back of my neck. “Yeah, that was partially me.”
“You were at his place before that.”
“You checked my location, didn’t you?”
“I did. You were there for a while.”
“Only because my phone died. And he wasn’t even supposed to take me there anyway. I wanted to come here. He thought a nice dinner would convince me to give him another chance. I didn’t even go inside.”
“Thank God,” Nate says. His shoulders are tense, but he takes a breath and releases them. “Sorry, I still don’t like the guy.”
“Neither do I. But I promise I wasn’t there long. I actually used the last bit of my battery life to go after you. At your place.”
He pauses. “You did?”
“Yep. I, uh, may have thought you were ignoring me up until your neighbor told me you hadn’t come home yet. Nice lady, actually.” I let out a laugh. “But it all worked out.”
Nate doesn’t find it funny. “You thought I ignored you.”
“Yeah. Part of it was Rob. He said he’d never seen you so mad, and with how it sounded, I’d have it coming.”
“Maisie,no.” He puts the container of oats down and turns to me. “I would never ignore you, even if I was pissed.”
“But—”
“No. You need to hear this.” He only continues when my mouth shuts. “Maisie, I’m with you always. Even when I’m angry. Even if you mess up. I’m never going to ignore you.”
My eyes water, but I slowly nod. “I hear you.”
“Good. Now let me cook for you.”
I’m not used to this level of care. I had a part of it before, but this is next-level.
I love it. So much so that I have to go get my phone and distract myself or else I’ll start crying again. I should probably let the people who care about me know I’m home safe.
My parents are the first on the list. After I message them, a text from Quinn comes through.
Quinn
I heard that Rob surprised you at the airport yesterday. Are you coming with him or is Nate still your plus-one?
Maisie
Nate’s joining me.
Quinn
Good.
“If it’s Rob, I’m insisting you block him.” Nate’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts and I shake my head.
“That was Quinn. She was making sure you’re still coming. I don’t think Rob’ll be reaching out any time soon.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him. He’s like a roach. He never gives up.” He sets a bowl of hot oatmeal in front of me.
“He can do whatever he wants. I’m not changing my mind.”
Nate smiles. “It’s nice to see you like this. I was worried I was losing you when you were with Rob.”
