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“What?” I said in surprise. She was totally overreacting. “He was just being nice.”

“Oh, honey,” Sarah said, looking at me as she shook her head. “He was not. He was throwing down some hardcore flirt vibes.”

I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. “Oh,” was all I could think to say.

Sarah laughed. “Let’s go see your photographs, hot stuff.” My cheeks were probably as pink as my dress by that point.

When we got to my display, I posed next to my work for Bree and Sarah while they snapped pictures with their phones. It was an honor to be featured, but the night still felt tainted with all of the other things that had transpired. At least I’d have some pictures I could send to Bev since she also wasn’t there for my big night. I could feel the smile I had plastered on my face for the pictures start to turn down into a frown. Sarah must’ve noticed since she nudged Bree with her elbow and then quickly suggested we check out some of the other exhibits.

After looking at the rest of the photography displays, we started to make our way back down to the main floor. “Are you guys headed out soon?” I asked Bree and Sarah when we finally made it back downstairs. “I don’t want you to be late for your other plans.”

“We can cancel and stay here with you,” Bree offered. Sarah quickly nodded her head in agreement.

“I really don’t want you to do that,” I answered honestly. “I’ll be fine. Besides, I have to stay until the end of the show, which is still a few hours away, and there’s no way you two want to stay here that long.”

“Are you sure?” Sarah asked.

I nodded. “Positive. Plus, I should put on my big-girl panties and step outside for a few minutes to call Mason.”

Bree and Sarah glanced at each other again. They’d been doing it so much that evening I was starting to think they’d developed some strange telepathic connection. “Fine.” Bree turned her gaze to me. “But only if you’re absolutely sure.”

“I am,” I said firmly. “Thank you for coming tonight. It means a lot to me.”

Sarah gave me a big hug. “You know we’re always here for you, right?”

“Yes.” I did. They were the best two friends anyone could ask for.

When Sarah and I separated, Bree stepped in and gave me a hug. “Call us if you need anything.”

“Or even if you don’t and just want to talk,” Sarah added with a giggle.

Bree snorted. “That too.”

“You two are the best,” I told them. “I’ll walk out with you and make that call outside.”

Bree and Sarah nodded as we walked to the front door. The three of us parted ways after stepping out into the cool spring evening air. I’d wished I’d brought a shawl or jacket with me as the temperature had dropped significantly from earlier in the evening.

I pulled my phone out of my wristlet and rubbed my arms as it powered up. As soon as it was on, the display screen showed there were new text messages and voicemails. I quickly glanced at them without opening any and saw they were all from Mason.

I took a deep breath and pushed his name to start the call. “Hello?” He answered after only two rings but there was so much background noise, I could barely hear him.

“Mason?” I asked to be sure it was him. Where in the world was he that there was so much noise? It sounded way louder than just a TV in the background.

“Anna?” he shouted back over the noise.

“Mason…it’s really hard to hear. Where are you?” I asked. There seemed to be a lot of music and voices. They were so loud I wasn’t even sure Mason could hear me.

What the hell was going on?

Chapter 20

That’s What Friends Are For

“MASON! MASON, IT’S REALLY hard to hear you. Where are you?” I asked for the second time.

“Just give me a quick minute. Don’t hang up, Anna! Please!” Mason pleaded. I could hear a bunch of rustling as the sound of music and voices faded in and out. Why was he somewhere with so much noise? Did he have other plans for the night all along? Plans that didn’t include catching a plane across the country for a girl he hadn’t even met? I tried to calm my nerves and not jump to any conclusions, but the urge to just hang up the phone was strong. Maybe I didn’t really want to know where he was or what he was doing.

“Anna? Are you still there? Please say you’re still there.” Mason’s voice came through the phone and startled me back into the moment. Wherever he’d moved to was much quieter and I could clearly hear what he was saying…although, I still had no idea what was going on.

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