Page 107 of Stolen Moments

“For what?”

“Showing me exactly why I don’t rely on people. Why I don’t let them in. You can fill in whatever narrative you want about me to justify your actions. There is so much more to what happened than you know. But you won’t let me explain.Youdon’t want tolisten. So, I hope you feel good about yourself. Don’t worry about me. I’m going to be fine without you.”

Where did that come from?I’m a little shocked, but damn, it felt good to say all that.

How dare he? He ghosts me for weeks, fucks me in the bathroom, and then refuses to discuss what went down.

Yeah, I’m good.

Mason stands there in stunned silence at my outburst as I turn, unlock the door, and shove it open. Without a backward glance, I head towards the bar. I need to get the hell out of here and as far from that infuriating, sexy asshole as possible.

Rylann spots me first, and her smile falls.

I probably look like a slutty, angry mess. No doubt in my mind that everyone knows what just went down in the bathroom.

“Are you okay?” Rylann asks.

“No, but I will be. I think I’m done for the night. I’m going to head home if that’s okay?”

“Of course. Thank you for planning such a lovely day. I’m sorry things didn’t work out like I had hoped they would.”

Jace steps behind Rylann and wraps his arms around her waist.

How did I not see it? Mason looks almost exactly like him—tall, brown hair, the same jawline, and those eyes… They are the same shade of green, but instead of a ring of gold, Mason has streaks.

I’m so fucking stupid.

“Do you need a ride home, Emery?” Jace asks.

“No, I’m good. You two enjoy your last hurrah. I drove here and only had one drink.” I thank them again for the invite.

Luckily, everyone is out on the dancefloor, distracted, as I grab my purse from the stool and race out of the bar.

Henry yips from his crate as I walk through the front door and throw my keys on the entry table. I lock the door and make my way over to the little furball. At least he loves me no matter what.

Okay, that’s not true. Henry would love anyone who gives him a treat, but at least he listens to me. He’s loyal and can’t leave me. My dependable little pooch. I lift him into my arms and give him a scratch behind his ear.

“I missed you too, Henry,” I coo as he licks my cheek. “Love you too, buddy.”

I carry Henry to my room and deposit him on my bed. Grabbing the hem of my dress, I lift it over my head and catch a whiff of Mason’s scent. The ginger and spice that once brought me pleasure make me nauseous as I remember the awful conversation we had in that horrible bathroom.

I throw the dress in the laundry and head to the bathroom. I need a shower. As much as I don’t want to wash away Mason’s smell, his touch, his cum, I absolutely need to.

I turn on the shower and step in, not bothered by the chilly water as it warms, washing away the pain of losing Mason all over again.

With the water burning my skin, I sink to the floor and let myself fall apart.

A shrill ring wakes me from a fitful sleep.

My swollen eyes feel like I have sand in them as I blink them open. A look around my dark room tells me it’s still dark outside. My cell stops ringing, only to immediately start again.

Ugh, Chris.

My finger slides across the screen, and I lift the phone to my ear. “Hello?”

“Emmy, wake up. You will not guess who I just met,” Chris shouts over the sound of music and people in the background. He must be out, having the time of his life.

“Chrisy, it’s too late for this,” I groan.

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