Page 78 of Making It Burn

I froze.“What?”

“Don’t play dumb.You’ve had that look on your face for days now.Like you’re carrying around this huge secret and you’re dying to tell someone.”She bounced on her toes, her eyes going wide.“So tell me.Are you in love with Mason Price?”

I glanced around the store, making sure no one was listening.“Yes.”

Lisa let out a squeal that made several shoppers turn and stare.“I KNEW IT!”She threw her arms around me, practically jumping up and down.“Oh my God, oh my God, this is the best thing ever!You’re in love!With Mason!Who is also clearly in love with you!”

“Lisa—” I tried to pry her off me, laughing despite myself.“People are staring.”

“I don’t care!This is huge!”She pulled back, her hands on my shoulders, her face lit up like Christmas morning.“Okay, okay, sorry.Inside voice.But Beau!”Her grip tightened.“You’re IN LOVE.Like, capital L-O-V-E love.The real deal!”

“I know.”

“Have you told him?”

The excitement in her eyes dimmed slightly when I shook my head.“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because...”I ran a hand through my hair.“Because what if he doesn’t feel the same way?What if I say it, Mason freaks out, then decides this whole thing was a mistake?”

“Beau.That man is crazy about you.I’ve seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one’s watching.He’s just as gone as you are.”

“Maybe.But saying it makes it real.Makes it something we have to deal with.”

Lisa’s expression softened.“Have you two talked about what happens next?About going public?”

“Not really.”

“Not really, or not at all?”She put her hands on her hips.

“Not at all,” I admitted.“We’ve been so focused on keeping it secret that we haven’t talked about...anything else.What we are.Where this is going.If we’re ever going to tell anyone.”

“And that doesn’t worry you?”

“It terrifies me.”I picked up a leather-bound journal and set it back down.“But I also don’t want to push him.Mason needs time to figure things out.To feel safe.”

“Safe is good.But Beau?”Lisa touched my arm.“You can’t hide forever.Eventually, something’s going to give.And when it does, you need to know you’re on the same page about what this relationship is.”

“I know.”

“Do you?Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re putting all your energy into making him comfortable, and none into figuring out what you actually need.”

Her words hit harder than I expected.“I need him.That’s what I need.”

“Okay.But what about the rest of it?You know, being able to hold his hand in public?The not having to sneak around like teenagers?Being able to tell people you’re together?”Lisa’s voice was gentle but firm.“Those things matter too.”

“I know.I just...I’m trying to be patient.”

“You’re trying to be perfect.There’s a difference.”She squeezed my arm.“Just think about it, okay?And in the meantime, let’s find you a gift that actually means something.”

We wandered into an antique shop tucked between a record store and a coffee shop.The place smelled like old books and furniture polish, and every surface was covered with vintage treasures—pocket watches, cameras, typewriters, things that belonged to another era.

“Now this is more like it,” Lisa said, picking up an old Polaroid camera.“Much more romantic than a watch.”

I was about to agree when something caught my eye on a display case near the back.A brass compass, tarnished with age but still beautiful, sitting on a bed of navy velvet.

“Can I see that?”I asked the shop owner, an elderly woman with wet eyes and silver hair.