Page 30 of Word to the Wise

Physically, I’ve healed. Which now leaves me with the mental battle.

I’m not good enough.

I’m nothing without him.

No one is going to love the girl he turned me into.

Mental bombs he set, ensuring the shrapnel would stick with me.

Mason’s key turns in the front door, and he walks into the apartment, looking too good as always. It doesn’t take much since he’s in a simple hoodie and jeans. But really, he could wear anything, and I’d find him attractive.

It’s something I’ve known since the last time I was in town. But now that I’ve lived under the same roof as him for a month, it’s even clearer. I don’t plan on doing anything about it, but at least it’s proof I’m not dead inside.

“Hey.” He smiles when he spots me on the couch. “Working?”

I close the laptop and set it on the table. “Just finishing up, actually. I need a break before I get a headache from staring at the screen. Is it lunchtime?”

Mason comes upstairs every day for lunch like clockwork. I assumed that was his normal routine until Jude’s wife, Fel, told me he never used to do that before I started staying with him.

“My afternoon appointment was canceled, actually.” He stops at the edge of the couch, looking from me to my computer. “I’m off work for the rest of the day.”

That’s the first time this has happened since I’ve been staying here. He works all week. Sometimes weekends. And on days he is home, I’ve been hiding in my room. But as he continues to stare at me, I realize I’m taking up all his free time—not to mention his space.

Before I started staying with him, he probably would have used the opportunity to do something for himself. Now he’s stuck babysitting his ex-roommate’s sister. A job he didn’t ask for, and it’s not fair that I’m putting this on him.

“You should go out.” I glance at the phone Sage bought for me, which is sitting on the table. “I was thinking about finally taking a trip to the compound to see Lyla anyway. I’m sure Sage could send someone to come get me. I’ll stay the night there if you’d like some time to yourself.”

Standing up, I adjust the straps of my tank top and force a smile.

“It’s fine.” Mason shrugs.

“You’ve been locked up in this apartment for too long.” I force a smile. “Go, have fun. I’ll be fine.”

I start to walk past him, but he reaches for my hand.

I’d have flinched a month ago when the simplest touch only reminded me of what those soft caresses turn into if you trust them. But Mason tangling his fingers with mine doesn’t raise fear. It skitters goosebumps up my arm.

It might not be safe to trust someone I don’t really know like that, but as I look up into his blue eyes, I do. He would never physically hurt me.

“Reed.” He releases my hand when I turn to face him. “It’s fine. I don’t mind you staying here.”

“I know you don’t, and I appreciate it. But I’m feeling better every day, and you deserve to get out of the apartment. Go on a date. Do something. Don’t let me stop all your fun.”

“You aren’t.” Mason takes a step closer, and he’s so tall, I crane my neck back to look into his eyes. “Come to lunch with me.”

“You want to gooutto lunch?”

The farthest from the apartment I’ve gone out in the past month is downstairs to the tattoo parlor.

He nods. “I’m not the only one who needs to get out of the apartment. It’ll be good for you. We can grab lunch or go and do something. Whatever you want.”

“Why would you do that for me?” He has the entire afternoon to himself, and still he’s choosing to spend it catering to my needs.

He doesn’t owe me this.

“It’s what friends do for each other, right?”

“Friends, right.” I’m not sure why that hurts so much when it’s what we are.

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