I didn’t know how I found it, only that I was now sitting on the beginning steps of a staircase at the end ofa dimly lit hall of the event center. Luckily, I was far enough from the banquet that no stragglers came anywhere near my secluded corner. I didn’t know how long I sat there, with my fingers buried in the roots of my curls, gripping, and slightly pulling for some feeling.
A feeling to keep me grounded in myself as I thought back to Trey, what he said, and the shame that expanded to near bursting in my chest.
I needed to go home, to sleep, to walk and to think.
I reached around myself to grab my phone from my purse but was thoroughly disappointed when I realized my purse was still at the table.
“Kill me now,” I groaned aloud, dropping my face into my hands.
“Always so dramatic, little Mason.”
I lifted my head to find Williams, a smile tugging at his lips. He was swinging my abandoned, sparkly purse higher up his large shoulder.
“I’m not dramatic.”
He snorted, taking the spot next to me on the steps. He dropped my purse beside me and rested one large hand on my knee as he let out a long sigh. “You, okay?”
I sidled up next to him and laid my head on his shoulder. “Yeah, just needed a breather.”
“Same,” he grunted while his thumb swept across the top of my knee. He inhaled deeply, then exhaled. “Trey left to take Juliette home. Is everything alright between the two of you?”
I didn’t feel much better with that new information, but at least I wouldn’t have to face Juliette the rest of the night.
“We’re fine,” I said, then remembered Williams wasn’t supposed to be alone or here with me. “Where’s your date?”
“I’m right here.”
I turned with Williams. Cautiously approaching from around the corner, his date pushed her round glasses upthe bridge of her nose.
“Hi, Maybelle.”
I slanted a curious look at Williams, who was watching me with a sad smile. “Maybelle, this is Hannah Lacy. She went to high school with us.”
“Oh,” I exhaled, unsure of how to respond. “I—uh-sorry, I don’t remember you.”
Hannah smiled. “Don’t be. And I’m sorry to interrupt. Noah left his phone at the tables.” She held out the device and Williams accepted it, but not before taking her offered hand in his.
“Are you leaving?” he asked. Hannah nodded. “Can I take you out again tomorrow?”
Her smile brightened as she pushed her glasses farther up her nose. “Of course,” she said before looking back at me, still smiling. “It was good to see you again.”
“You too,” I courteously said back.
And with one last wave to us both, she left.
“She didn’t have to leave,” I said, and Williams’s smile grew, his focus still lingering on where Hannah last stood.
“Yeah, well, she knew you needed your best friend. She just wanted to make sure you were okay before she left.”
I smiled, looping my arm with his. “I think Penny would try to fight you if she ever heard you call yourself that in front of her.”
He vibrated with laughter. “Yeah, that may be true, but you and I both know I hold the spot of best friend.”
I scrunched my nose. “I plead the fifth,” I stated, snuggling closer into the big man. “But I’m happy for you. You and Hannah look good together.”
“I think so too,” he said.
A moment or two of silence passed before Williams asked, “Are you going to ask about your boyfriend?”
