Page 47 of The Ruse of Romancing

“So, I came here tonight to say I’m sorry and I hope you’ll forgive me, whether or not you use my cover.

I just needed you to see how I truly feel.

” He waved vaguely at the cover with its image of lovers embracing.

It was honestly the most romantic image I’d ever seen, and my heart pounded double time as I tried to process everything Mason was saying.

“I just hope I did Hypatia and Petros justice because their love story, the story you’ve created, is legendary.

The type of love story I hope to have someday. ”

Mason stepped away from the projector and walked to the door, a sea of whispers following his every step as people turned to watch him go.

“What are you waiting for?” Sadie asked, giving me a gentle shove in his direction. “You’ve at least got to talk to him.”

She was right, so I slipped past people and caught up to Mason just after he stepped outside into the warm Utah summer night. The setting couldn’t have been more different from Oregon, and yet, there was a familiarity and comfort in his presence that I couldn’t ignore.

“Mason, wait,” I called just before he reached the parking lot.

He turned slowly to face me.

“Did you mean what you said in there?” I asked, crossing my arms and hugging myself as I braced for the answer. I needed to know this was real and not another ploy for him to advance his career or add another entry on his list of summer flings.

I knew on some level he must have convinced Avery to trust him, give him a chance, but I wasn’t convinced. Not yet.

“It’s the most truthful thing I’ve ever said.” Mason took a step toward me. He reached for my hand, a gesture he’d made countless times in Oregon, but he stopped just short of making contact, his hand dropping back down to his side.

“How can I trust you? You lied to me.” The words were bitter, but true, ringing with every ounce of hurt I’d been navigating since the second I’d climbed into the car with Spencer.

Mason gave a small, sad shake of his head. “I wish I could say I regret lying, but if it was the only way to get to know you and realize what love really looks like... I can’t say I wouldn’t do it again. But I do regret hurting you.”

“What if I don’t forgive you?” I bit my lip. I wasn’t one to hold a grudge, but Mason had hurt me, and I couldn’t just pretend it hadn’t happened.

“Then I’ll live my life trying to change your mind. That is,” he stepped closer, his hand closing around mine, gently tugging my arm free from its crossed position, “if you’ll let me.”

I took a breath, considering his words. Could I forgive him?

He’d come all the way to Utah, had designed the dreamiest cover I’d ever seen, and he’d shown up for me, even though he didn’t know how things would turn out.

His actions were speaking pretty loudly at the moment.

Our conversation on my couch back in Oregon when he’d asked if I would have forgiven Brad Allen for lying to Jan Morrow came rushing back.

I’d told him I would have forgiven Rock Hudson’s character.

Maybe I should apply the same answer to Mason.

“Only if you promise me a lifetime supply of Joane’s sourdough. And countless nights watching Pillow Talk ,” I said softly, a small smile teasing my lips as I stepped closer to him.

“Done and done. Anything else?” His voice was full of hope.

“And trips to Powell’s Books, where I can buy all the books I want. And—” I broke off, feeling exposed and ridiculous and vulnerable. It was worse than the jumble of emotions I’d experienced after reading my first hateful review of my book.

But even as I hesitated, all of the love and magic of the cover he’d designed came to mind. A cover that supposedly I’d inspired. Remembering that beautiful cover and the care that had gone into it warmed my heart and reassured me that I was doing the right thing.

“And?” Mason asked, grabbing my other hand and shifting so he stood directly in front of me, leaning close in the late summer sunshine as he waited for what I had to say next.

“And you kiss me senseless whenever I ask.”

Needing no further invitation, Mason pressed his lips to mine in a searing kiss that left me weak in the knees and desperate for more.

But he pulled back, resting his forehead against mine.

“I kind of took that as an invitation. Hope that was okay.” He whispered, his breath warm against my cheek.

“More than okay,” I whispered back, trying to catch my breath. “I think I owe Avery an apology.”

“Oh? Because, genuinely, you thinking about your sister is the last thing I was expecting to hear right now.”

I gave him an impish grin.

“Well, you might have convinced me that happy endings actually can happen, which means I need to change the end of my book.”

“Thank heavens!” A voice called from the doorway, startling us apart.

I broke away from Mason to see the entire cousin crew gathered in the doorway, grinning back at me. I was fairly certain Poppy even had Chloe on a video call watching the whole thing.

“How long were you guys standing there?” I asked, suddenly feeling very self-conscious, even as I leaned into Mason’s side.

“Long enough to know that kiss was far too short,” Poppy said with a knowing look.

“I concur,” Mason said, dipping down to press his lips to mine once more, causing my cousins to whoop and cheer.

And while it wasn’t exactly the storybook romance I’d always imagined for myself, it was infinitely better because it was real. Even if it had come with some plot twists I hadn’t seen coming.