Page 91 of I Need You Tonight
Chapter 34
Nicole
The Spanish-style building beckoned me with its peaceful exterior, as did the lush green plants grouped along the curved stone pathway. The rehab center didn’t resemble the sterile institution I had originally expected. It looked more like a fancy spa. Although from what I’d read about the place, it did offer treatments similar to those found in a spa.
I caught sight of a stray butterfly flitting about the purple flowers on the leafy vines tangled around the tall metal fence between stone columns. The butterfly seemed happy to be here. I only hoped Mason would be that happy when he saw me.
I’d done as Callie had suggested, waiting two weeks before visiting, but as I walked to the front entrance, palms sweaty, I wondered if my being here was a big mistake. Maybe it was too soon to visit him. Maybe I shouldn’t have come at all, so he could move on with his life.
I stood in front of the entrance, deliberating whether I should turn around or go in. Mason had no idea I was coming, so it wasn’t like he would think I’d abandoned him yet again if I didn’t show up. But I also knew that was what a coward would do, and when it came to Mason, I wasn’t a coward. He needed to know that I hadn’t turned my back on him like his family had. I had done what was best for both of us. Or so I kept telling myself.
I removed my phone from my purse and, with a long sigh, called the one person whose voice I really needed to hear right now. The one person who didn’t know about my feelings for Mason.
Zack answered after a few rings. “Hey, sis. How’s everything going?”
“Great.”Or not.“I’m about to visit Mason in rehab.” I attempted to sound casual about it, like I would if announcing I was at the grocery store to buy bananas.
Zack didn’t say anything at first, and for a second I thought we might have been disconnected. “Is there something I don’t know that maybe I should?” he eventually asked. “Or rather something that I’ve suspected but figured I had to be wrong about, because Mason isn’t your type?”
“If you mean do I have feelings for him, strong feelings”—now was probably not the time to tell him that I was in love with Mason—“then the answer is yes. He’s my friend and I want to make sure he’s doing okay.”
“Nicole, this is me you’re talking to. You’ve never been good at lying to me.”
True. But usually he had to see me to know I was lying. “So we can save time here,” I said, “what answer are you really looking for?”
“Are you in love with Mason?” He didn’t sound at all surprised—or too upset.
“Yes. I am.”
“Even now that you know about his past?” I had already filled Zack in on what I’d found out about his involvement when Mason had attempted suicide all those years ago. And he knew that Mason had recently relapsed.
“Yes, even though I know about his past.”
“And nothing I can say will change that?”
I shook my head even though he couldn’t see me. “Nothing.”
He let out a long breath. “Well, good luck. Just know that I’m here if you need me.”
“Thanks.”
We said our goodbyes, with him hinting heavily that I should tell Mason that Zack would come after him if he hurt me. I just rolled my eyes and ended the call.
I opened the front door and stepped into the lobby, which instantly made me think of a high-end hotel. The Spanish-style architecture continued in here too, but the area had also been decorated for Christmas, with a huge fake pine tree covered in white lights standing proud in the corner.
Rich wooden support beams ran across the ceiling, further adding warmth to the place, as did the patterned tapestries covering the white walls and the sconces on either side of the artwork. Classical Christmas music played in the background.
I walked to the reception desk, my heels clicking against the wooden floor. The woman behind the desk looked up from her computer and smiled as I approached.
“Good afternoon. How can I help you?” she asked.
“I’m Nicole McCormick. I was told it would be okay to visit Mason Dell?” I hadn’t meant for it to come out as a question.
“Is he expecting you?”
I shook my head. “No.” The word came out as a squeak, and I coughed to make it sound like I had to clear my throat.
She tapped on her keyboard and studied the screen. “He’s in a counseling session right now, but as soon as he’s out, I’ll have someone tell him you’re here.”
