“Probably not a bad idea.” She turned on her heel and headed back inside.
I was alone again. And for the first time since Anna and the kids had moved in, I felt it.
40
Anna
I sat on the stairs.Listening. Unable to move. Anywhere I could go held memories of Mason. They were burned into the walls, carved into the floors. So, I sat on the stairs. Not entering any room. Staying in the in-between.
My arms curled around my waist as I saw the hurt flashing across Mason’s face. His words echoed in my mind. He questioned everything. He questioned me.
I should’ve been wiser. Known that if the person he loved most in this world were whispering doubts in his ear, those doubts would eventually take hold. But, instead, I’d held onto my reckless hope. And now, I was paying the price.
Footsteps sounded on the hardwood. The front door opened and then slammed closed. The sound reverberated in my chest, echoing through the empty space.
He hadn’t taken his car or an overnight bag. He was coming back. The knowledge didn’t ease anything in me. Because even if he came back, it wouldn’t fix a damn thing.
Tears filled my eyes, spilling over and tracking down my cheeks. They dripped off my chin and onto the carpeted steps. I didn’t do anything to stop them. I simply let them fall, one after the other.
My phone rang on the stair next to me. I wanted to ignore it, but it could’ve been Jensen. I swiped it up and looked at the screen. Clearing my throat, I answered. “Hey, Kenz.”
“Oh, good. I completely forgot to give you the mockups for the new building we talked about this morning. I’m driving past your place on my way home. Can I swing by?”
“Sure. You know the code.”
“See you in a few.”
I pushed to my feet and headed for the half-bath downstairs. I turned on the faucet as cold as I could get it. Splashing water on my face, I soaked up the freezing burn. Welcomed it. I patted my face dry with the hand towel and looked in the mirror.
I looked like hell. My skin was shock-white. Eyes red and swollen. But as the doorbell rang, I knew there was nothing to be done about it now. Maybe the light was dim enough that Kennedy wouldn’t notice.
I headed out of the bathroom and towards the entryway. Pulling open the door, I forced a smile. “Hey.”
“Hey—” Kennedy’s smile fell. “What is it? What’s wrong? Are Justin and Lyla okay?”
“Everyone’s fine.”
She scowled at me, pushing her way inside. “Bullshit. Where’s Mason?”
“He went for a walk.”
Kennedy surveyed my face. “Did you guys have a fight?”
I bit my lip to keep from crying and nodded.
She pulled me into a tight hug. “It’s going to be okay.”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
“Come on.” Kenz guided me towards the kitchen, depositing me in the breakfast nook we rarely used. She bustled around the kitchen until she found a kettle and some tea. “Honey?” I pointed to the pantry, and she retrieved it. “Do you want milk?”
“No, thanks.”
In a matter of minutes, she slid into the nook next to me and handed me a mug. “Have some of this. It’ll help.”
I stared down at the swirling liquid. God, I wished it held all the answers I needed. That when I finished it, everything would somehow be miraculously mended.
“Tell me what happened.”
