He ignored me. “Whadya mean?” Mason asked Pia.
Her eyes narrowed. “Something’s… off. Like there’s an extra spring in his step. And I know for a fact he came home alone last night because I was up early and didn’t see anyone slinking out.”
“Uh, I’m right here. You can ask me.”
“Already did. You didn’t answer. So?”
“Did I say I liked her?” I asked Mason. “Is it too late to change my mind?”
Pia threw a chip at me. It landed on the counter after bouncing off my forehead, so I ate it. “Thanks.” Unfortunately, Mason was looking at me with his detective hat on. I knew exactly why there was an extra spring in my step but wasn’t about to admit it even though Mae said I could tell the guys. Apparently she wanted word to get out, rather than having to tell people herself which, in her words, “was torture.” Although I’m certain it wasn’t as torturous as what I would do to the French prick if I ever got my hands on him.
“That’s weird.” Mason put the ham and cheese on the counter. “Pia’s right. What’s with the shit-eating grin?”
I couldn’t help it. Although part of me felt horrible for Mae, another (big) part of me was elated. Not only was she no longer engaged, but Mae wasn’t just back for a week. The whole way home I tried chastising myself, being happy when my friend was so clearly upset, but I had a hard time pretending I wasn’t glad her fiancé had outed himself as a total dickhead.
“Mae’s back,” he said to Pia. “She was at the bar last night. But it was strange. She came in and left before saying anything. And then never texted Beck back. So I have no idea what’s gotten into him.”
Now they were both staring at me. Waiting.
“Fine,” I said, taking a swig of water. “I just came from her house. Long story short, Mae came in last night but left when she found out Jules had a few people at the bar to surprise her. Mae isn’t home for a week. Her asshole fiancé, or ex-fiancé I should say, was screwing around with a coworker so the whole thing’s off. She didn’t want to stay in France, despite the fact that she’d just accepted her dream job. That’s why she’s been MIA for the past few weeks.”
Mason and Pia stared at me. I didn’t blame them. It was a lot to take in.
“She gave me the go-ahead to tell you guys. Mae would rather it be out there than her having to start from scratch and retell the story. But she’s not going into specifics about the reason for the breakup, so that’s between us.”
“No need to,” Pia said. “It doesn’t matter and is nobody’s business. What a jerk.”
“Wow.” Mason continued making his ham and cheese sandwich. “That’s insane.”
“Poor girl.” Pia lifted a chip to her mouth. “I can’t imagine how she must be feeling.” I didn’t have to wait long for the reprimand. “And that’s why you were smiling? Jesus, Beck.”
“What?” I attempted to defend myself. “I didn’t smile in front of her. I’m devastated for Mae, seriously.”
“Sure you are,” Mason said sarcastically. “You look it.”
“Beckham Claymont, if you dare hurt her after what she’s been through…”
“I have no intention of hurting her,” I said, ignoring the fact that—thanks, Mason—Pia knew and used my real name to try and irritate me. “I care about her.”
Love her.
“I know you do,” she said. “But guys sometimes think with their dicks and not their heads.”
Mason pretended to be offended but Pia knew better. She was right.
“Mae has zero clue I think of her as anything other than a friend. There are exactly three people—well, five now that you and Delaney are clued in—that know about that. And it’s gonna stay that way. I’m the last person in the world Mae would ever date. She knows me too well.”
“Then why do you look like the cat who ate the canary? If she stays here, you’ll have a front-row seat to her next relationship. Or are you hoping she’ll become a nun?” Pia asked.
“You’re starting to sound like him,” I accused, although that seemed to make Mason happy, as if Pia was his sarcastic wit protege.
“Beck,” she warned.
“I know, I know. Be nice.”
“The best thing you can do is stay away from her right now. Let her female friends, the ones who don’t have complicated feelings for Mae, pick her up. That’s a lot to handle all at once. And why do you already look guilty?”
“Small problem. I invited her over tonight. Promised her we could get good and drunk together.”
