Page 50 of Word to the Wise

“I do.” I brush my thumb over her chin. “Because you give your all to people. More than they deserve. So whatever bullshit lies he fed you, they were just that—something to keep you from leaving him sooner.”

“I’m not who you think I am, Mason.”

“You’re right. You’re better than anything I could think. So good you’re impossible to imagine.” I release her chin, but she doesn’t break my stare. “And for the record, he was a fucking fool to even look at another woman when he was with you, much less touch her. Because if I was ever lucky enough to have a girl like you, I wouldn’t beable to think about anyone else. You’re absolute perfection.”

“You don’t mean that.”

I shake my head, wishing she was right. “Yes, I do.”

16

Reed

Last night’s conversation withMason is still playing in my mind.

There’s a tug-of-war raging inside me.

A struggle between the constant rejection Carter conditioned me to accept and the confidence Mason calls to the surface.

Strength and desire I thought I’d lost.

But I still haven’t figured out how to sort through the conflicting feelings. So like a coward, I hid in my room this morning until Mason was ready to leave for work.

I’m not ready to face what we said. Much less how it felt.

Changing tides that make me want more than I can ask of a guy like him.

Mason could have any girl he wants as proven by the looks he gets from beautiful women. He’s not only tall and solid muscle, but his smile is panty-melting, and his heart is the gentlest I’ve ever known. He has his pick of girls in this city.

The last thing he needs is a disaster like me. Hung up on the damage her ex-boyfriend left behind. Barely able to accept a simple compliment.

It’s not that I think Mason would lie to me. I’m sure when he said he found me attractive, he meant it. But pretty is good for a one-night stand, and I have too much baggage for that kind of thing.

Mason holds the door to the shop open and waits for me to walk past him. The awkward tension is thick, and I’m sure he’s sensing it too. We keep toying with this line of who we were to each other the first time we met and who we are now.

Of who we wish we could be and the harsh reality of what we can’t.

There are secrets haunting both of us.

“Hey, Reed.” Echo glances up at me when I walk into the shop.

She’s caged between Crew’s arms, where he has her pinned against the display case, whispering something in her ear that turns her cheeks bright red.

I wave and keep walking.

If I thought it was annoying when all the guys who worked here were single and running through an endless number of women, it’s worse now because of where my mind is at. I remember Carter making me smile like that once, and I can’t help wondering how long ago it stopped.

Maybe I’m just not cut out for that kind of love—unconditional, even when it’s tested. I don’t think anyone can love me now that I’m cracked, ripped open, and there’s no hiding it.

“I’m going to finish up a sketch before my appointment,” Mason says when we reach the door to his station.

“Sounds good. I’m going to go find my brother.” I pause in the hallway for a moment, looking up at him.

His blue eyes swim with whatever he’s thinking. An ocean of history and I’m still only on the surface. I’d like to reach for his hand—to feel the rush I only seem to get when he’s touching me.

Instead, I turn and walk away before I make that mistake.

Just because he made me feel like the center of the world last night doesn’t mean that’s the case. He’s being a good friend, helping me out of kindness or obligation to my brother. It doesn’t make this more in his eyes, so I need to continue reminding myself of that.