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“Don’t…”
“No,” he said, shushing her. “I owe you an apology.” Swallowing hard, he looked away. “When you came to me that day, all I could see was you kissing Daniel.”
“I wasn’t kissing him! He was kissing me. He set us up! Can’t you see that?”
Mason finally met her eyes. “He said you came on to him, that you grabbed him and kissed him. He was my best friend, Lacey. Why would he say that?”
He still doubted her. The pain she’d felt sixteen years earlier returned full force. “It doesn’t matter now. Just—let’s forget about the past and focus on the present. Finding Bethany is all that matters right now.”
CHAPTER TEN
He took her hand. “Can we sit in the sunroom for a few minutes? The blinds are drawn and it’s probably safe.”
“Why?” she whispered, still feeling the course of pain running through her, brought on by old memories.
“I want to know more about Bethany.”
How could she refuse? He looked eager—and scared, and hopeful all at the same time. With a sigh, she pulled out her keys and nodded. “Sure.” She unlocked the door and motioned to the two-seater swing. Settling herself on it, she waited. He hesitated for a brief moment and sat beside her.
Swatting a mosquito away from his nose, he asked, “It’s not too muggy for you?”
She got up, walked to the air-conditioning window unit and flipped it on. Cool air rushed out. “That’ll help.”
He drew in a deep breath. “Are your parents home?”
“Yes. They’re sitting by the phone desperately praying for it to ring.”
“Have you told them everything?”
She sighed. “Not everything. Although I have warned them to be extra careful. Bethany wouldn’t leave on her own. And I think the incidents that have happened have proved that.” She paused when he leaned closer, his breath tickling the hair above her right brow.
Her heart stuttered at the look in his eyes. And yet she wanted throw up a protective barrier around her emotions. When she was around him, she felt like she was on a roller coaster without a safety harness.
And she couldn’t work up the energy to be angry at him. She could tell he was on the same ride.
“I agree.” His hand came up to cup her chin. “You haven’t changed a bit, Lacey.”
Lacey jerked, but his fingers tightened and she stilled. Then she gave a short laugh. “Oh, yes I have, Mason.”
He winced. “I didn’t mean that in a derogatory way. I meant—” he drew in a deep breath “—seeing you again has brought back all kinds of feelings I’m not sure what to do with.”
His honesty surprised her. And endeared him to her. “I can appreciate that, Mason.”
Mason leaned back and blew out a sigh. He changed the subject. “And your parents don’t have any suggestions as to what might have happened to Bethany?”
“No, I’ve already told you that. I know for a fact that she wouldn’t have left on her own. Other than that, I’m clueless.”
“I agree with you, but what makes you so 100 percent sure?”
She had to tell him. “Bethany will be furious with me for telling you this, but…” She bit her lip.
He frowned. “What?”
“She’s a big chicken.”
“Chicken?” He blinked. “As in scared?”
Lacey felt an amused smile cross her lips as she thought about her daughter. “Yes. Growing up, Bethany never even spent the night at a friend’s house. For some reason, she’s always been fearful of being away from me at night. Even at the ‘mature’ age of fifteen, she hates spending the night away. All of her sleepovers are usually under my roof.”