Chapter 14

I didn't sleep that night.

Vincent's texts played on a loop in my head. You're mine. I'd read them so many times my eyes burned. Every shadow in the guest room looked like him. Every creak of the house sounded like footsteps.

I didn't tell Mason about the texts. I didn't tell him about Ethan.

I just lay in bed and stared at the ceiling and wondered if I'd ever feel safe again.

The next morning, Derek drove me to work. Ethan was already there when I arrived. He had a coffee waiting for me. "You look like you didn't sleep."

"Is it that obvious?"

"Only to someone who's paying attention." He smiled. "Rough night?"

"Rough life."

He didn't push. Just handed me the coffee and went back to shelving books.

I spent the morning in a daze. Running the register. Helping customers. Pretending everything was normal.

It wasn't.

At lunch, Ethan found me in the back room. "You want to talk about it?" he asked.

"About what?"

"The sad eyes." He sat down across from me. "They're worse today."

I opened my mouth to deflect. Then closed it. Because I was so tired of carrying everything alone. "There's this guy," I said quietly. "He's complicated. And I can't seem to stay away from him."

Ethan nodded slowly. "The friend's brother?"

"Yeah."

"He's the reason for the sad eyes?"

"He's the reason for everything." I laughed bitterly. "He's an asshole. A playboy. He brings home blondes and treats me like I'm nothing. And I still—" I stopped.

"You still what?"

"I still can't stop loving him."

Ethan was quiet for a moment. Then he reached across the table and took my hand. "Lucy. I don't know this guy. But I know you. And you deserve someone who doesn't make you feel like nothing."

I pulled my hand away. "You don't know me."

"I know enough." His eyes met mine. "I know you're kind. I know you're funny. I know you love books and hate small talk and laugh at your own jokes." He smiled. "And I know you deserve better than some guy who can't see what's right in front of him."

I didn't know what to say. So I just nodded.

My phone buzzed at 2 PM.

Unknown number: Lunch with the bookstore boy. How cozy. Does Mason know you're seeing someone else?

I dropped my phone. My hands started shaking.

Unknown number: I bet he'd be interested. Maybe I should tell him.

Unknown number: Or maybe I should just come visit you. Right now. At the bookstore.

I looked up. The front door was empty. The street was quiet.

But I felt him. Watching.

I called Mason. He answered on the first ring. "Lucy?"

"Vincent texted me again." My voice was shaking. "He's watching the bookstore. He knows I had lunch with Ethan."

"Who's Ethan?"

"Not the point." I took a breath. "He said he's coming here. Right now."

"I'm on my way. Get to the back room. Lock the door. Don't come out until I get there."

"Mason—"

"Lucy. Now."

I didn't argue.

The back room was small. Windowless. The lock was flimsy. I pressed my back against the wall and tried to breathe.

Minutes passed. Maybe ten. Maybe an hour. I couldn't tell.

Then a knock on the door. "Lucy."

Mason's voice.

I opened the door. He was standing there, breathing hard, eyes scanning the room behind me.

"Did you see him?" I asked.

"No. But he was here. The security team found footprints near the back alley."

I felt sick. "He's getting closer," I whispered.

"I know." His jaw tightened. "Which is why you're coming home with me. Now."

"I can't keep hiding forever."

"You can't keep being reckless either." He stepped closer. "Vincent knows about the Ethan guy now. He knows you have a life here. And he's using it to get to you."

"So what am I supposed to do? Quit my job? Stop living?"

"No. You're supposed to let me protect you."

"By keeping me locked in your house?"

"By keeping you alive."

I stared at him. His eyes were dark. Desperate.

"Why do you care so much?" I asked. "You treat me like I'm nothing. You bring home other women. You push me away at every turn. And then you show up like this, acting like I'm the only thing that matters."

He was quiet for a long moment.

"Because I'm an idiot," he said. "Because I'm scared. Because I've been pushing you away for ten years and I don't know how to stop."

"You don't know how to stop?"

"No." His voice cracked. "I don't know how to stop wanting you. I don't know how to stop needing you. I don't know how to stop—" He stopped.

"Stop what?"

He looked at me. His eyes were burning. "I don't know how to stop loving you."

The words hit me like a wave.

"Then stop pushing me away," I said.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because if I let you in—if I really let you in—I'll destroy you. And I can't live with that."

"You won't destroy me."

"I will." His voice was raw. "I destroy everything. Sloane. My parents. Everyone who gets close to me."

"That's not true."

"It is. And one day, you'll realize it. And you'll leave. And I'll have nothing."

I stepped closer. "You already have nothing. Because you won't let yourself have anything."

He stared at me.

"Stop protecting yourself," I said. "Let me in. Let me see you. The real you."

"I don't know if I can."

"Try."

He was quiet for a long moment. Then he pulled me into his arms. Not like before. Not desperate. Just... holding me.

"I don't deserve you," he whispered against my hair.

"I know."

"I'm going to screw this up."

"Probably."

"I'm going to hurt you."

"Stop." I pulled back. "Stop trying to talk me out of this. I know what you are. I've always known. And I'm still here."

He looked at me. His eyes were wet.

"Why?"

"Because I love you. And I'm tired of pretending I don't."

He drove me home. We didn't talk. But his hand stayed on mine the whole way.

Clara was waiting when we got back. She took one look at us and grinned. "Finally."

"Clara," Mason warned.

"I'm just saying." She held up her hands. "I've been watching you two dance around each other for years. It's nice to see you finally—"

"Clara."

"Fine." She winked at me. "But I'm going to need details later."

She walked away before Mason could respond.

That night, I sat in the guest room and stared at the wall. Everything had changed. And nothing had changed.

Vincent was still out there. Mason was still a disaster. And I was still terrified.

But for the first time, I felt hopeful.

My phone buzzed.

Ethan: Hey. You left in a hurry. Everything okay?

I stared at the screen. Ethan. Sweet, normal Ethan. Who didn't know about Vincent. Who didn't know about Mason.

I typed back: Everything's fine. Just had to leave early.

Ethan: You okay? You seemed rattled.

Lucy: I'm okay. Promise.

Ethan: If you ever need to talk, I'm here.

I smiled. It was nice. Having someone who just... cared. Without complications. Without games. I typed back: Thanks, Ethan. I appreciate that.

My phone buzzed again.

Mason: Who's Ethan?

I laughed. Of course he'd ask.

Lucy: A coworker. He's nice.

Mason: Is he the one who had lunch with you?

Lucy: Yes.

Mason: I don't like it.

Lucy: You don't get to not like it. You have Vanessa.

A long pause. Then: I ended things with Vanessa. Today.

I stared at the screen. My heart stopped.

Lucy: Why?

Mason: Because I want you. And I'm done pretending I don't.

I didn't know what to say.

Lucy: Mason—

Mason: I know. I'm a disaster. I'm going to screw this up. But I'm tired of running.

I set down my phone. My hands were shaking. He'd ended things with Vanessa. For me. For the first time in ten years, he'd chosen me.

My phone buzzed again.

Mason: I know you're scared. I'm scared too. But I'm not going to push you away anymore.

Mason: I'm going to try. For you. For us.

Mason: But I need you to promise me something.

Lucy: What?

Mason: Promise me you won't give up on me. Even when I screw up. Even when I push. Even when I'm an asshole. Promise you'll still be here.

I stared at the screen. My heart was pounding. Lucy: I promise.

Mason: Good. Now go to sleep. You have work tomorrow.

Lucy: You're not going to tell me to stay home?

Mason: I want to. But I know you need your normal life. Your books. Your friends. Your coworker Ethan.

Lucy: You're not jealous?

Mason: I'm insanely jealous. But I'm trying to be better. For you.

Lucy: That's actually kind of sweet.

Mason: Don't tell anyone. I have a reputation to protect.

I laughed. For the first time in days, I laughed. Lucy: Goodnight, Mason.

Mason: Goodnight, Lucy.

I set down my phone and lay back on the bed. Everything was different. And everything was the same. But for the first time, I believed that maybe—just maybe we could make this work.