Page 29 of Open Arms

We stood there for a moment. Or maybe an hour. Who the hell knew, at this point. But it was like some electrifying standoff where neither of us dared to move or else we’d do something we’d surely regret.

Then finally she spoke.

“Goodnight, Mason.” She stepped back, breaking the spell as she headed toward the door.

“Night, Chlo.” I watched her go, the air cooling in her absence.

I stood there for a long time after she left, the weight of her gaze still imprinted on my skin. I could smell the faint trace oflavender from her shampoo lingering in the air, teasing my senses. It was like the damn scent was embedded in the walls now, or maybe just etched into my brain.

“Get a grip,” I muttered to myself, flicking off the lights and making my way to the couch. The cushions still held the memory of our bodies close together, watching that princess wield her sword like it was nobody’s business. Abby had been nestled between us then, a living reminder of what mattered most.

I flopped down, resting my head back and closing my eyes. Abigail needed Chloe, I reminded myself firmly. But Chloe . . . well, she was good for me too. For my heart, which hadn’t felt this kind of tug since . . .

“Stop it,” I growled, frustrated.

But the truth was a stubborn thing; it lingered even when unwelcome. I couldn’t deny that Chloe had stirred something awake in me. Something I thought I’d buried deep alongside past hurts and missed opportunities.

The house was silent now, but the quiet felt charged, as if it were a living thing waiting for the next move. I knew sleep wouldn’t come easy tonight. Not with Chloe’s soft smile haunting me, not with the echoes of our laughter still bouncing off the walls.

But as I finally dragged myself up the stairs, my hand tracing the banister where her delicate fingers had glided only hours before, I couldn’t shake the unsettling thrill of what-if. Every step seemed to echo with the beat of my own treacherous heart, pounding out a rhythm of possibilities.

“Damn it,” I cursed softly as I reached the top, pausing outside Abby’s door. She slept peacefully, the very picture of innocence and trust, reminding me once again of my priorities. I was doing this for her. All of it. Even the keeping my distance part.

With one last glance at her calm face, I retreated to my own room, feeling the full force of the night’s events crashing down on me. The bed was cold as I slipped beneath the sheets, an empty expanse without the warmth of another person beside me—a stark reminder of the solitude I’d grown accustomed to.

And as I lay there in the darkness, staring at the ceiling, the anticipation of what might unfold with Chloe—the taste of that unresolved tension—settled over me like a second skin. I rolled over, punched my pillow, and let out a long breath, knowing full well that whatever lay ahead, this small town wasn’t big enough to hide from the truth forever.

I could keep my feelings locked down. I could.

But even as I tried to convince myself of that, I knew I was already looking forward to tomorrow, to the briefest glimpse of blonde hair and blue eyes that seemed to see right through me. And that, whether I liked it or not, meant everything was about to change.

Two minutes later, I got up to shower again and get some relief. I had a feeling I’d be having a lot of those in the coming days, too.

13

Chloe

Sunshine streamedthrough the windows as I arranged yoga mats in a circle for the morning wellness workshop. The soothing scent of eucalyptus from the essential oil diffuser filled the studio.

I smiled at the guests trickling in, recognizing the regulars. “Morning, Tanya. Hey there, Liz. Grab a mat wherever you’d like.”

After the workshop was set up, I headed to the supply closet for extra blocks and straps. A familiar deep voice stopped me in the hallway. “Chloe, got a sec?”

Pete leaned against the wall, hands tucked in his pockets. That lopsided grin could have made another girl’s heart flutter but it did nothing to me.Especially not since meeting Mason, I thought.

Still, Pete was friendly and I enjoyed working with him.

“For you? I suppose I can spare a moment,” I teased.

“I was thinking, if you’re free later, we could maybe catch a movie?—“

The shrill ring of a phone cut him off. He sighed. “Duty calls. Think about it, though.”

I felt a sense of relief as I watched him jog off. I’d have to let him down sometime, but I avoided it for now. Shaking my head, I stepped into the dark supply closet, fumbling for the light switch.

Click. Nothing. Click click. Still darkness. The door shut behind me and a jolt of panic shot down my spine.

This wasn’t happening. My pulse kicked up as I spun to the door. The knob was locked. It wouldn’t budge.

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