Page 58 of I Think He Knows?

“How’s Mason been?” I ask, changing the subject so I don’t monopolize the entire conversation with talk about Cam. It’s happened before. “Has he been better?”

“So much better,” she says. “I never even mentioned his behavior again, then he brought it up and apologized for being so on edge. He says he was stressed about work, and then he talked to his father which always sends him into a horrible tailspin as you know.”

Ha. Mason’s doing a great job throwing off any suspicions about his birthday plan.

“Wow. He’s really changed,” I say. “Coming to the realization about how he was acting on his own. That’s what happens when you fall in love.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” she says. I can hear the joy in her voice.

“By the way, what do you want for your birthday?” I ask. “We need to plan dinner. And maybe I can invite Cam.”

Just the thought of this brings a smile to my face. The idea of celebrating with my two best friends and Cam sounds positively dreamy.

“Yes, let’s plan it,” she swoons. “I was trying to get information about my birthday out of Mason, but he didn’t budge. Do you know if he’s planning anything?”

Here we go. Mason knew she was going to ask me.

“No, and I need to call him and make sure he doesn’t mess this up. It’s your first birthday as an official couple. He better make it special and not give you a toaster or some other insignificant gift.”

She giggles. “Like a vacuum?”

“The vacuum wasn’t insignificant at all,” I exclaim. “It’s a major catalyst in your relationship.”

When we first met Mason, we borrowed his vacuum all the time because we didn’t have one. Fast forward to Mason and Eliza realizing they had feelings for each other. He gave her a new vacuum to recreate when they met. It really was romantic…well, as romantic as a vacuum can be.

“I have faith in him, but a reminder phone call probably wouldn’t hurt,” she says.

“I’m on it,” I tell her. “I’ll text him right away, and of course I’ll be discrete.”

“Yes, please,” she begs. “But don’t tell him we were talking about my birthday.”

“Never.”

“Good. Now that we’ve covered that, when are you going to see Cam again?”

The memories of being at Cam’s house flood my mind.

“We didn’t make any specific plans,” I say. “He just asked me if we could repeat our evening. And I think he wanted to dispel any doubts after Lilly called.”

“Wait. Lilly called him while you were there?” she shrieks.

“Yes,” I say. “He wasn’t happy about it, and he didn’t answer her call.”

“Why would his former fiancé be calling him?”

“At eleven o’clock at night,” I add. “Probably for the same reason she took a position at his school.”

“She wants him back,” Eliza exclaims.

“That’s my guess,” I say. “I’ve seen the way she looks at him. And she’s suddenly taking a lot of interest in me. She spent an entire afternoon in my class, claiming she was doing evaluations, but it was hours.”

“Hmm…so she’s trying to get close to you since you’re her competition.”

I sigh. “I feel like it never ends. Ms. Wilcox finally gave up on Cam, and as soon as we get to the next level, Lilly showed up. How can I compete with this gorgeous woman from his past? Not to mention their parents are best friends.”

“Serena, there’s no competition,” Eliza says. “Even if she wants to get back together with him, it doesn’t mean he feels the same. And judging by the way you described your evening together, it sounds like you have nothing to worry about.”

“Thanks,” I say. “You know how long I’ve felt this way about Cam. Now that we’ve grown closer, I don’t want to lose him.”

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