“Hello?”
“Don’t hang up,” he says.
I consider hanging up.
“I know you’re mad, but I want you to reconsider,” Mason says.
I take a deep breath and say, “Reconsider what?”
“All of it,” he says. I hear the relief in his voice that I’ve finally responded. “Me. The trip. I miss you.”
I look out over the marina and spot a pelican swoop down over the water and scoop up a fish. The carefree feeling of being with the guys and working all day evaporates.
“Summer?”
Still, I say nothing. I don’t trust myself.
“Come on the trip,” he tries again. “I’ll stay away from you, if that’s what you want.”
I look across the parking lot and see Whit walking my way. His blond hair is tied at the neck. He spots me and winks. I turn and face the side of the building. “I can’t. You and I both know what went on between us is over. A trip to France is delaying the inevitable.”
“Come on, Summer,” he begs. “I got scared at the end of the year. So many people were around. The gossip and rumors started. I was afraid I’d lose my job.”
I notice he doesn’t say anything about being afraid I’d get hurt. Or afraid he’d lose me. Selfish prick.
“Mason, you know I didn’t want this to happen but I think it’s for the best. Having some time away is helping me realize that.”
“Are you seeing someone?” he asks suddenly. “Is that why you’re avoiding my calls?”
“What? No.” I feel my throat closing up, a sign I’m about to start crying. “Fuck, Mason. It’s over. Go back to your life, your job. Your students. Forget about me like I’m trying to forget about you.”
“I don’t know why you have to be such a bitch about all of this. I made a mistake. Does that mean I have to be punished forever?”
“It’s not a punishment. It’s reality.”
“You’re upset. I know that if we could talk in person everything would be okay,” he attempts to back the anger out of his voice. “You’re not the only one this affects, you know.”
“Understatement of the year,” I tell him and disconnect just as Justin walks up to meet me.
My hands shake and I drop my phone, flinching when it clatters at his feet. He picks it up before I do; checking the screen to make sure it didn’t crack. “Everything okay?”
“Fine,” I say, steeling my voice and taking the phone back. We don’t know one another enough for him to pry and I’m thankful. I feel the phone buzz in my pocket and I ignore it, instead flashing a smile at Justin. “What’s next?”
“Lunch—hungry?”
I nod, overlooking the terrible knot in my stomach.
“Let’s go then,” he says, directing me toward the docks.
“Um, the Jeep is over there.”
He turns to face me while walking backwards. “We’re not going in the Jeep.”
I follow him down the dock past all the different boats. Some are huge, with multiple levels, while others are basic, small fishing boats. He walks up to a small but nice boat and hops over the side. “Is this yours?” I ask, climbing over the edge and holding on to the seat for balance.
“My uncle’s.” He reaches out to steady my waist. Through my shirt I can feel the heat of his fingers and the current spreads outward. I twist from under his touch, unsure how to handle all this. Friendly behavior? Flirty?
“Thanks,” I say. Avoiding eye contact, I sit in the first empty seat I find. “So you work at his marina and drive his boat…anything else I should know? Is that his Jeep?”