Page 143 of Stolen Moments

Everything he’s saying is exactly what I want, but it doesn’t sound like he’s that person. Was everyone wrong? Was I wrong? Is this a goodbye?

A lead ball forms in my stomach as my nose tingles with unshed tears.

“I-I—” My voice cracks. Closing my eyes, I fight back my tears.

“Baby doll, look at me, please.”

I shake my head. I don’t want to see the look in his eyes when he says goodbye. When he walks away again.

Oh god, I’m goingto be sick.

I suck in a deep breath, gathering my thoughts, and slowly peel my eyes open.

“It’s okay, Mason. I understand. I lied. There’s no coming back from that. I forgive you. Thank you for giving me closure to move on.” I step back, removing myself from his arms. I don’t want to break down in front of him, to let him know that he’s breaking my heart all over again.

Spinning around on my heels, I race to the bathroom without a backward glance, praying he doesn’t see me fall apart.

Chapter forty-six

Mason

Closure?

Emery takes advantage of my shock and slips out of my hold. In a stupefied state, I watch her back as she races around the side of the inn, her gold dress glimmering in the moonlight.

What the fuck just happened? How could she interpret my apology for a goodbye?

I don’t know how long I stand outside—could be seconds or minutes—when I hear Cameron calling my name.

“Mason.” He approaches, the fire crackling between us. “Dude, dinner is being served. What are you doing out here?”

My mouth opens and closes a few times, like a floundering fish, but words escape me.

“Bro, you okay?”

“No.” I shake my head, shell-shocked. One second Emery is in my arms, and the next she’s running away from me. “I’m not okay.”

“What the hell happened?”

Rubbing my hands over my face, I shrug. “Fuck if I know. I-I’m really confused as to what just went down.”

“Well, either spit it out or let’s get back inside because dinner is about to start and everyone is already sitting at the table.”

“Yeah, okay. Let’s go inside.”

As much as I want to chase after Emery, I can’t. It’s my brother’s wedding and being here for him is important. Today, Rylannofficially became a part of our family, and I don’t want to miss a minute of that.

As I take my seat, I watch Emery slip back through the doors, finding her seat next to that fucking guy again. She avoids eye contact with everyone as she places her napkin on her lap.

He leans over and whispers something to her, and I wish I could read lips. What the fuck is he telling her? She nods her head and smiles, placating him, but I know better. That smile is fake. My girl is trying to be strong, hiding her emotions below the surface, masking her pain for the sake of everyone around her.

Clenching the fork in my hand, I do my best to ignore the pain searing in my chest at seeing the hurt on her face. She can hide from everyone else, but I know. I did that. Again.

Why the fuck would she think I was walking away from her? She is my world. The air I breathe. I’m nothing without her. I was seconds away from telling her I love her and falling to my knees to beg her for another chance.

Instead, she took my words as a farewell.

Servers take the plates away, refilling wine glasses as they go. I couldn’t tell you what I‘m eating or how it tastes, all of my focus is on the stunning woman in the gold dress sitting two tables too far away from me. Hell, two inches is too far from me. I need her by my side.

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