Page 61 of Captivated

“Uh, well… I wonder if he might have overheard me on the phone the other morning with my mom…” I cringe as I say the words out loud and then my stomach drops as I contemplate how bad this could be.

“Oh, shit. Really?”

“I honestly don’t know, Rach. But all I know is that we were supposed to have dinner tonight and spend time together and he’s not coming.”

“Maybe he really did have to work, Pfeiffer. Try not to read too much into it, okay? I’m sure if he heard your conversation, he’ll say something eventually.”

I think about how bold Cash is, how if he did hear the words exchanged between my mother and I, he would definitely be the type to say something. That small reminder allows me to breathe for the first time in an hour.

“You’re right, Rach. Cash would definitely say something if he heard. He would call me out on it. I’m just being a girl, creating irrational scenarios in my mind when there doesn’t need to be.”

“Exactly.”

“I just… I’ve never been with someone that I cared so much about. I never got this way with Mason.” My admission is honest and raw, but it’s the truth. The longer I’ve been removed from that relationship, the more I can see how lifeless and complacent it was. I hate that I keep comparing this thing with Cash back to him, but it’s the only form of comparison I have, which realistically, isn’t even a contest.

Cash has dug his way into my heart. I’m falling and I don’t even want to stop—because the feeling of soaring without a care, with the freedom to move whatever way the wind takes you—it’s a freedom I’ve never felt, in life, or inlove.

“This is definitely different for you, Pfeiffer. I can hear it in your voice, even with how panicked you are right now at the thought of something being wrong. You’re falling for him, aren’t you?”

“Part of me thinks I already fell.”

“Oh, my. I wanna meet this guy,” she chuckles through the line, instantly bringing a smile to my face.

“I want you to do that too, so much. Hopefully one day soon. My parents are trying desperately to infiltrate the Montevallo’s and find out if they really know where I’m at.”

“Really? How so?”

“My father knows people. Let’s just leave it at that.” Honestly, I don’t even know what he’s up to, but my mother said he has had someone working undercover for them for months to get more information and hopefully find out where Mason is. It seems Mason paid back some of the money he owed, appeasing them for a while. But then he was back to his old habits, betting more than he should and racked up his debt again, making me on their radar once more.

However, as of today, he has officially been declared as a missing person. Once the ledger in his desk was found, it provided a tie to the Montevallo’s, allowing my father to finally take legal action. Our house in the Hamptons that we shared has been empty for months now, only recently discovered when Mason left on a vacation saying he needed to find himself and get better, claiming he was going to rehab. Apparently no one has seen him since though, not even his family. That was the last detail I got before I had to end the call and rush to the hospital to start my shift.

After listening to my best friend fill me in on her life, we say our goodbyes and I struggle to find sleep, knowing that tomorrow is my next paint night at the retirement center, and I’m hoping like hell that I’ll get to see Cash and he’ll give me some inclination of what’s going on. I know we’ve both been working, but something just doesn’t add up. I don’t think I was even this nervous on our first date—maybe because now I know him and I have feelings for him, and I also know what I stand to lose if there truly is an issue.

I arrive at the retirement center about thirty minutes before the class starts to set up. Exiting my car, that electricity zips through my body, alerting me that something is not quite right. I twist and turn in the parking lot, convinced that there is a set of eyes on me, watching my every move, but nothing looks out of the ordinary.

I hate this feeling—the paranoia that creeps up out of nowhere and makes my heart hammer in my chest. It takes away all of the progress and acceptance I’ve managed to build about my circumstances and squashes it beneath a boulder of uncertainty.

With one more glance over my shoulder, I scramble into the building, check in with Sarah, and then make my way to the craft room, trying to focus on the task at hand and not the slow unraveling of my confidence.

Extracting the colors of paint from the cabinet, rinsing and drying brushes, and filling up cups of water, I prepare everything I need for the amount of people who signed up tonight. Last time sure was a hit, and it seems we have returning customers and plenty of new ones as well. The room will be packed and I’m excited to show them how to paint the Christmas landscape portrait I chose since December is right around the corner. Thanksgiving is in less than two weeks and Cash and I had yet to discuss our plans for the holidays, a thought I’m not sure will even happen now.

“Piper, so good to see you,” Birdie says from behind me, alerting me to the arrival of several other patrons as well. I was so caught up in my thoughts, I didn’t even realize people were here.

Get it together, Pfeiffer.

“Are you sure you’re happy to see me after I beat you in Scrabble a few weeks ago?” I wink at her, causing her to laugh.

“Believe me… just seeing you beat Cash was worth its weight in gold.”

“Speaking of Cash,” I start, grateful that she brought him up instead of the other way around, “Is he coming tonight?” I avoid her eyes so she can’t see my confusion and desperation.

“Uh, no. He picked up a shift apparently.” And those words make my head pop up.

“Really?”

“Yes. Did he not tell you?”

I shake my head, breathing deeply to keep the tears at bay. “No. He didn’t.”

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