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“I have to say, I’m impressed with how many people you know here,” Mason whispered in my ear. I smiled as he wrapped his arms around me from behind while we looked at a painting on display.

“I’d like to say that’s what happens when you’ve been here for four years, but most of them I’ve met this past year,” I responded with a smile and a laugh. I leaned back into him, relishing in the feeling of the hard body under his suit against my bare back. Everything about the moment felt so perfect; however, it quickly ended when Mason’s phone dinged loudly. I was surprised he had it turned on, but I was even more surprised when he pulled his arms away from me to take it out of his pocket. Mason quickly looked at his phone before abruptly shoving it back in the pocket of his suit jacket. “Everything all right? Do you need to answer that?” I turned and nodded in the direction of his pocket with a raised eyebrow.

“No, it was nothing,” Mason answered quickly. He reached out and pulled me closer to him, so we were face to face. “Now where were we…oh, yes.” Mason kissed the side of my neck before whispering in my ear, “I was just about to tell you that I’m finding it increasingly difficult to focus on the artwork when you are, by far, the most beautiful piece of art here.” I felt my face flush as my heart started beating overtime. He knew exactly how to drive me wild. Any thoughts about his phone flew out of my mind as his warm breath danced over my ear and across the side of my face.

“Anna! Mason!”

Mason and I were snapped to attention by a familiar voice. I pulled away from Mason and turned to see Liam smiling and waving at both of us. Mason turned as well but kept his arm around me. I could feel his body tense as he plastered on a smile. Mason was never going to be a fan of Coffee Guy, even though Mason had eventually conceded to hanging the painting Liam had done of me in our soon-to-be apartment.

“Liam!” I said with a genuine smile. “What a surprise! It’s so good to see you!”

“Thank you,” Liam said, grinning, as he walked up next to us.

“What brings you here? Are you in town for the Art Show?” I asked. Liam and I had kept in touch for a while through text and social media. I was pretty sure he was still living and working in Seattle, and I was a little surprised he hadn’t messaged me to say he was coming to the Spring Art Show. Then again, I guess it had been a while since we’d checked in with each other. Sometimes, despite the best of intentions, life just got in the way of keeping in close contact.

“Kind of. I’m one of the alumni judges. It was last minute—the first choice wasn’t able to attend and I just happened to be free.” Liam shrugged his shoulders like it was nothing, but he and I both knew what a big deal it was to be a judge at the Spring Art Show. Especially for someone who was only a year out of school. I suspected Liam’s art career in Seattle was far more successful than he’d let on.

“Stop being so modest,” I teased him. Liam’s cheeks flushed. “How are things in Seattle?”

Liam’s face brightened immediately. “They’re amazing! Making the move was definitely the right decision. I’m really happy there. In fact, I’m glad we ran into each other because I wanted to introduce you and Mason to my fiancée, Lana.”

For the first time, I noticed a woman standing next to Liam. I didn’t know how in the world I’d missed her; she was absolutely stunning. Her auburn hair that was swept up into a perfectly sleek updo, and her stylish yellow dress fit her like it was made for her—somehow the bold color didn’t seem at all out of place on her. While her dress was beautiful, her earrings were really the focal piece of her outfit. They were very large and dramatic; they looked like they were made from tiny beads, and delicately danced over her bare shoulders. The woman looked like she’d just stepped off a high-fashion runway or was ready to walk the red carpet. Her dark brown eyes lit up as she gave me a warm smile. “Hello, Anna and Mason. Liam has told me so much about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” Lana’s voice was smooth and friendly, causing me to instantly like her.

As soon as Liam said the word fiancée, I felt Mason tense up next to me. He remained rigid as Lana spoke. I gave him a sideways glance and was disturbed to see him completely disengaged from the conversation and looking at something by the stairs. Something was up. He was acting uncharacteristically weird.

Mason’s phone dinged again and without taking his arm off me, he quickly grabbed his phone from his pocket. Once again, he briefly looked at the message before shoving it back in his suit jacket. I was getting a little annoyed with how weird he was being and that he kept checking his phone. I subtly tried to catch his attention, but he was still focused on something by the stairs. Was Mason really that uncomfortable around Liam? Or was something else going on? Why did he keep checking his phone?

“Have you seen your exhibit yet?” Liam asked, forcing me to pull my attention away from Mason and all of his weirdness.

“Not yet,” I answered, looking at Liam with a smile. “We’re gradually making our way there.”

“Right. On our way,” Mason said as he suddenly decided to join the conversation. I gave him a sideways glance, which he didn’t acknowledge.

“Well, I won’t keep you.” Liam looked at me and smiled. “It really should be your next stop.” What did he mean by that? Did it have something to do with why Mason was being weird? Or was I losing my mind?

“We’ll head that way,” I finally said, still feeling like I was missing something. “It was lovely to meet you, Lana, and congrats to you both.”

“Yes, congratulations,” Mason chimed in.

“Thank you,” Lana said with a smile before she and Liam turned to walk off into the crowd. As soon as they were gone, I felt Mason relax.

I stepped away from his side and turned to him. “Why are you being so weird?”

Mason looked completely distracted. “What?”

“Why are you…” I began to repeat before I changed my mind. I decided to let it go and keep enjoying the night. “You know what, never mind. Let’s just go up to the photography exhibit.”

Mason looked down at his watch and then up at the crowd. “Don’t you want to look at something else first?” Before I could even answer, his phone dinged again. After quickly looking at it, he turned to me. “On second thought, why don’t we go on up to the photography exhibit?” Mason started walking towards the stairs.

I reached out and grabbed his arm. Something wasn’t right, and it was starting to really bother me. I needed to ask him and clear the air. “Mason? What’s going on? You’re acting strange. Talk to me. Does this have something to do with seeing Liam?”

Mason gave me a confused look. “What? No. Everything’s fine, Anna.” The smile he followed up with wasn’t convincing.

“Hey! There you are!” I heard Sarah shout. I looked away from Mason and saw her and Bree walking down the stairs. Mason started to walk towards them as I followed behind. Something felt really off with the whole situation.

Bree waved at Mason and me when we reached the stairs. “Hi! We’ve been looking all over for you!” I knew Bree well enough to know when her voice sounded forced…and it was definitely sounding that way.

“So glad to see you guys!” Mason said with too much enthusiasm.

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