Page 63 of The Ruse of Romancing
I braced myself, prepared to school my features into pleasantly surprised no matter what I thought of the cover.
“If everyone can please help me countdown to the big reveal,” Avery requested, sounding like the announcer on a game show.
Poppy and Sadie came to stand next to me, each of them wrapping an arm around my waist as everyone began chanting: five, four, three, two, one.
Excited claps and cheers echoed through the room as the cover appeared on the screen.
The image took my breath away. The design was perfect with its mix of colors and shadow, the silhouettes of two characters embracing, nestled in a tangle of vines. The working title I’d been writing under,Of Fates and Ruin, was emblazoned on the front in the same looping font as my debut.
It was everything I’d wanted, the style a familiar combination of whimsical and creative that had first caught my eye in Spencer’s bookshop and again on the beach in sketches of myself that I’d cajoled Mason into showing me. How I could have ever thought those pieces could have been created by two different artists boggled my mind. There was only one man who could have created those pieces and the cover everyone in the room was currently gushing over: Mason.
As if summoned by my thoughts, he stepped in front of the screen, shielding his eyes from the projector as he searched the room. He looked good, wearing slacks and a fitted green button shirt. I gave a startled cry, and tried to turn and run, but my cousins held me fast.
“Trust us. Give him a chance,” Sadie said softly, gently nudging me toward the man who had completely decimated my heart.
“Hi, everyone,” Mason said, clearing his throat to gain the room’s attention. “Most of you don’t know me. My name is Mason Allen Stuart. I’m a graphic designer from Oregon who royally messed up, and I’m here to try to make it right.”
Everyone glanced around, clearly confused by Mason’s declaration. I held my breath, curious and terrified to hear what he’d say next.
“You see, I manage a duplex for my grandparents and was lucky enough to be Dani’s neighbor during her recent writing trip. However, I didn’t exactly give her the best first or secondimpression.” Here he gave a self-deprecating chuckle as he nervously ran his fingers through his hair, the short strands sticking up in contrast with his polished appearance.
“I had a bit of a reputation as a lady’s man, a reputation I’d earned, and one that Dani unfortunately witnessed. So, when I was given a second chance with her, and she didn’t recognize me as her player neighbor, I lied about who I was because I didn’t want to miss my chance with the talented, gorgeous woman we all love. But as you can imagine, my lies came back to bite me, and I ended up hurting an incredible woman, which was the last thing on earth I’d ever wanted to do.”
Mason’s eyes found mine during his confession, and I felt his words in my soul. My heart began to pound as I saw his sincerity written in every line of his face.
“Dani, I hate that I hurt you because you truly are the most incredible woman in the world. Watching your passion and love for writing amazed me. Reading your words inspired me. And spending those too few days with you in Oregon changed me.
“So, I came here tonight to say I’m sorry and I hope you’ll forgive me, whether or not you use my cover. I just needed you to see how I truly feel.” He waved vaguely at the cover with its image of lovers embracing. It was honestly the most romantic image I’d ever seen, and my heart pounded double time as I tried to process everything Mason was saying. “I just hope I did Hypatia and Petros justice because their love story, the story you’ve created, is legendary. The type of love story I hope to have someday.”
Mason stepped away from the projector and walked to the door, a sea of whispers following his every step as people turned to watch him go.
“What are you waiting for?” Sadie asked, giving me a gentle shove in his direction. “You’ve at least got to talk to him.”
She was right, so I slipped past people and caught up to Mason just after he stepped outside into the warm Utah summer night. The setting couldn’t have been more different from Oregon, and yet, there was a familiarity and comfort in his presence that I couldn’t ignore.
“Mason, wait,” I called just before he reached the parking lot.
He turned slowly to face me.
“Did you mean what you said in there?” I asked, crossing my arms and hugging myself as I braced for the answer. I needed to know this was real and not another ploy for him to advance his career or add another entry on his list of summer flings.
I knew on some level he must have convinced Avery to trust him, give him a chance, but I wasn’t convinced. Not yet.
“It’s the most truthful thing I’ve ever said.” Mason took a step toward me. He reached for my hand, a gesture he’d made countless times in Oregon, but he stopped just short of making contact, his hand dropping back down to his side.
“How can I trust you? You lied to me.” The words were bitter, but true, ringing with every ounce of hurt I’d been navigating since the second I’d climbed into the car with Spencer.
Mason gave a small, sad shake of his head. “I wish I could say I regret lying, but if it was the only way to get to know you and realize what love really looks like... I can’t say I wouldn’t do it again. But I do regret hurting you.”
“What if I don’t forgive you?” I bit my lip. I wasn’t one to hold a grudge, but Mason had hurt me, and I couldn’t just pretend it hadn’t happened.
“Then I’ll live my life trying to change your mind. That is,” he stepped closer, his hand closing around mine, gently tugging my arm free from its crossed position, “if you’ll let me.”
I took a breath, considering his words. Could I forgive him? He’d come all the way to Utah, had designed the dreamiest cover I’d ever seen, and he’d shown up for me, even though he didn’tknow how things would turn out. His actions were speaking pretty loudly at the moment. Our conversation on my couch back in Oregon when he’d asked if I would have forgiven Brad Allen for lying to Jan Morrow came rushing back. I’d told him I would have forgiven Rock Hudson’s character. Maybe I should apply the same answer to Mason.
“Only if you promise me a lifetime supply of Joane’s sourdough. And countless nights watchingPillow Talk,” I said softly, a small smile teasing my lips as I stepped closer to him.
“Done and done. Anything else?” His voice was full of hope.
