Page 136 of The Golden Hour

“I need you to know that I did think about it—not out of loyalty to that place, but because the offer would have solved pretty much all of our problems,” Mason’s throat works, and he shakes his head. “But it would have betrayed you. And I already did that multiple times over Daisy’s pregnancy. I will never betray you ever again, Honey.”

Honey believes him. Truly.

“What do we do now?”

Mason frowns, with a strange smile on his face. “I don’t know… but I don’t regret it.”

“We’ll figure it out,” she whispers. “Together.”

Mason’s eyes close briefly. “Together.”

“Let’s go out to eat tonight,” Honey says quickly, excitedly. “To celebrate.”

Mason frowns. “Celebrate me quitting?”

Honey mock-scoffs. “I have news too, you know?”

“Oh?” Mason grins, raising an eyebrow. “I’m so sorry, baby. Do tell.”

“You happen to be unemployed,” she points at him, and his grin goes charmingly wry. “While I find myself employed once more.”

“Little Acorns?” he asks gently.

Honey nods, smiling. “I spoke with Penny, and I’ll start working there again in January. I wanted to… give ourselves the rest of the year to… heal.”

Mason’s smile goes soft. “Good. I’m glad. I know you missed it.”

“I did. They’re all so grown now! And our daughter is quite the celebrity among the toddlers,” Honey says primly. “They all love her.”

“How could they not?” Mason agrees easily, smiling so happily.

Happier than she’s seen him. There’s a calmness around Mason now, less tension in his shoulders. The lines of his face have smoothed out. The smile comes to his lips more easily.

It’s strange how she seems to have known three versions of Mason through their lives.

Mason, the boy she fell in love with and the man she married.

Dr. Carpenter, the Emergency Physician, was her least favorite version.

And this Mason. The one who’s a devoted father, a supportive coparent, a good, kind, caring person. A clean slate to become who he needs to be.

“I’m so proud of you,” Mason whispers, keeping eye contact as he lifts her hand to his lips and presses a kiss there. “So proud.”

“Ditto,” Honey replies softly. “I’m happy for you.”

Mason nods.

“What’s the plan now?”

Mason looks almost taken aback by that question, and he chuckles. “You know, I don’t really know… and that’s not scaring me as much as it would. That’s a good thing, right?”

Honey smiles. “I think so. I think change is necessary, and I think starting fresh is good.”

“I couldn’t exist in an environment that enables that behavior,” Mason says, like he’s parroting someone very wise. “And I wouldn’t work for a place that tries to make me choose them over you. No one comes before my family. No one. Never. You and Daisy first. Everyone else can burn, but as long as you two are okay… then everything else can be fixed.”

Tears sting and pool in Honey’s eyes, and she swallows thickly.

It’s not just his words.