Page 33 of Never To Forever

I meet his gaze, forcing a smile. “Yeah, no worries. Just got lost in my head for a bit.”

Mason furrows his brow. “You’ve been through a lot lately, huh? I was sorry to hear about your mom.”

“Thanks,” I say softly. “That was tough, but she’s not in pain anymore, so that’s something to be grateful for.”

“Absolutely.”

We chat for a bit, catching up. Mason gives me the rundown of his new business and what it’s like moving back to Blue Ridge Falls after being away for so long. His family moved at the end of our sophomore year of high school, but he kept in touch and visited throughout the years, so his connection to the town remained strong.

As we’re talking, a couple girls start to circle us, flashing us smiles as they try to catch our attention. A tall brunette and a curvy blonde, both in short skirts and flannel shirts over low-cut tank-tops. I vaguely recognize them from around town, but I can’t place their names. When Mason finally notices them, he grins and waves them over.

“Hey, there,” he greets as they approach our table. Looking back at me, he says, “Garrett, do you know Bailey and Kate? I just did some work at their boutique downtown.”

“And we are in love with everything you did,” the blonde—Bailey?—declares with a flirty smile. “We’re so grateful for your hard work, Mason.”

He clearly enjoys the attention. “It was my pleasure, beautiful.”

The brunette, Kate, turns to me and bats her long lashes. “You’re Haven’s brother, right? My nephew is in her classroom at the daycare. He loves her.”

I nod. “Yep, and I’m not surprised. Kids tend to adore her. She’s a natural with them.”

Kate saddles closer to me and flips her hair over her shoulder.

“Had I known she had such a handsome brother, I’d have insisted that she introduce us before now.”

I’m not going to lie—her attention is flattering. I’ve been injured and focused on school for so long, my social life has all but died, and there’s been very little interaction with women. I can barely remember the last time I had sex before Marie, which was something I never had a problem with getting before. Hook-ups were always my thing. I never got bogged down by emotions or the desire for more from a woman. It was never complicated for me.

Not until Marie.

Quickly shoving thoughts of her away, I curl my lips into what I know is a charming smile and say, “We’re meeting now, so better late than never, right?”

She giggles and rests her hand on my arm. At the feel of her touch, an image of Marie naked and spread out beneath me flashes through my mind, her eyes hooded and dark with desire as she stares up at me. Just like that, any interest that might have been starting to sizzle for Kate vanishes.

Shit. What is wrong with me? A pretty girl is standing right next to me, making her interest obvious, but all I can think about is that she’s not Marie.

Ally was right… I am ridiculous.

I do my best to keep talking and flirting with Kate, but my heart isn’t in it. When she and Bailey slip away to the bathroom together, I seize the chance to get out of here.

“Hey, Mason, I’m going to head out,” I say, trying to sound nonchalant.

He frowns. “What? Already? You sure? We can go somewhere else if you want to…”

“Nah, I’m good. I need to get up early to get some school-work done. You stay and have fun, and apologize to Kate for me, all right?”

Mason sighs, looking disappointed. “Yeah, all right. Have a good night, man.”

“You too.”

I grab my jacket and turn to head for the door, but before I even make two steps, it swings open. My jaw drops when Marie strolls inside with Maggie, who works at the daycare with Haven, in all her pink-haired glory next to her. They’re both dressed for a night out in short dresses, and Marie looks gorgeous and sexy. Almost every guy in the bar turns to gaze at her, and I’m not fucking going anywhere.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

MARIE

This was a mistake.I shouldn’t have come here.

After our fight, I was so upset with Garrett that I could hardly look at him, let alone talk to him. He hurt me, and I still don’t think he realizes how much. I managed to go three weeks without seeing him until he started showing back up at the library, but I just kept ignoring him. Then I overheard his conversation with Mason, and something in me snapped.

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