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In the end, I didn't bother texting him back. I just hit the call button and waited for him to answer.

I didn't need to wait long.In fact, he answered so quickly, I couldn’t be certain that his phone had rung at all.

His voice was quiet in the night. "You called."

"Yeah, well, I figured we had to talksometime."

"Good," he said. "Because I've got a question."

With my heart in my throat, I whispered, "Alright."

"Are you coming back?"

In spite of all my good intentions, disappointment coursed through me. "So you're asking if I quit?" I forced a laugh. "Maybe I should askyouif I’m fired."

"You're not."

"Alright. Then I don't quit." Whether for Willow's sake, or because I was a glutton for punishment, I was still determined to finish out my term.

If nothing else, it would look good on a resume – or at least that's what I kept telling myself whenever my resolve wavered, which it did.All the time.

Regardless, I'd be smart to stick it out. Mason Blastoviak was a household name. With his name on my resume, I'd almost certainly get a good job in the fall.

And then, I could be done with Mason for good.

The thought should've made me happy. And maybe it would've, if not for the ache in my heart when I considered the prospect of not seeing him again.

As far as Willow, I'd get to seeherthrough Arden.

But Willow's oldest brother?Him, I'd be smart to avoid.

As my thoughts churned, Mason remained silent. Obviously, he was out of things to say, now that he'd gotten what he'd called for – news that he wouldn’t need to go nanny shopping any time soon.

Still, as long as I had him on the phone, I figured I might as well say what needed saying. "By the way, thanks for delivering my stuff, especially the purse. And I'm sorry for not thanking you sooner."

"Forget that."

"No. I mean it," I said. "I know you must've gone through a lot of trouble, and even though it wasn't for me personally—"

"You're wrong."

"What?"

"Itwasfor you," he said. "And only you." With a rueful laugh, he said, "I doubt Willow wanted your clothes."

It wasn't just my clothes. It was Christmas presents for my family, all of my makeup and toiletries, my favorite pillow, and so much more. And to think, he'd even retrieved my purse from heaven-knows-where.

Even ingoodweather, that wouldn’t have been easy.

Still, I'd be foolish to assume anything about his intentions.Those days were gone."Well, regardless, I really appreciate it."

Bracing myself, I continued. "And as long as we're talking, I'm really sorry for flipping out. I don't know what got into me. I mean, it's not exactly normal to cuss out your boss."

He was silent for a long moment before saying, "Your boss?"

"Yeah. My employer." I tried to laugh. "You know, the guy who signs my direct deposits? Anyway, IknowI made a total fool of myself."

"That's not true."