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“How did you know I’d forgive you?” I asked.
“I—I didn’t,” he stuttered.
“Yet you took the chance anyway?” I replied, disheartened.
“Yes,” he whispered.
“How do I know you won’t do it again?” I asked.
“I won’t,” he said confidently.
“But how do I know you won’t? You say it, but do you mean it?” I stood, walking around my room. I wasn’t sure if I should give him a chance at my heart again.
“I would never have told you that I loved you if I wasn’t willing to try,” he said, getting to his feet and stopping me from pacing.
“I care about you, Mason,” I said looking into his beautiful blue eyes as they gazed upon me. I stepped back, furiously pacing in front of him again. “Yes, you hurt me, not once but three times, Mason. Once when you left, then the letter and then when you returned. This is the only time I will forgive you for it,” I said matter-of-factly. “So if you love me, then say it, and I want it to be epic. I want to feel it deep down in my soul.” I walked towards him. “Otherwise, I am leaving Portland, and I won’t be coming back, not for you, not for anyone.”
His eyes started to water. “It was so hard to be away from you, Lauren. I thought about you every day.”
“Mason.” I sighed and crossed my arms.
“I’m sorry that I hurt you, Lauren.” His lips trembled.
“I won’t deny that it was more painful to fall for you than it was to let you go,” I said and stood in front of him. “I don’t even know if I can trust you.”
“I am sorry that I caused you pain—” He moved close to me. “I love you, Lauren, more than my heart can handle.” He began to cry. “I regret leaving you and hurting you the way I did, but I was so scared.” His hands cupped my cheeks. “I will never leave you again,” he said with conviction this time. “I will do everything in my power to prove this to you.” Our lips hovered. My body folded into him. “When I saw the lights in the water, my whole world turned upside down. I didn’t know if I could live without you.” He grabbed my face in his hand. The tears burst from his eyes. His arms enveloped me, and I felt his body shake as he cried. “I will spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you,” he whispered in my ear. His lips slowly slid across my cheek smoothly. “Forever,” he breathed against my lips.
Then we finally kissed.
“I will hold you to it,” I said, jerking my head away. He smiled, and then my mother knocked before she walked in and placed the two cups of tea on my dresser.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
When I pulled up to the Fosters ’ home two weeks after the incident, my heart pounded hard against my chest. I had told Mason that I wanted to take things slow, because I wanted to make sure that I could trust him. We had been avoiding going to his house when we saw each other but this time I had no choice but to meet him there, my mother was invited to the New Year’s party of the year, and I couldn’t let her show up alone. I had not seen Nick since the accident, and I wasn’t entirely sure how it would affect me. Mason had told me his mother was not my biggest fan like that was supposed to be comforting to me. What I did notice though was how she never protested about us dating the way she did with Nick and me. I guess it was because Mason had spent most of his life disappointing her and Nick was the perfect one, turns out not so perfect. It bothered me to know that I was the disappointment this time around, but I put it to the back of my mind as I turned off the ignition. I looked myself over in the mirror, making sure my hair and make-up looked good. My hair was pinned up in a bun, and I wore subtle colours on my eyes and lips. My dress was pale pink, accentuating my figure but not in an inappropri
ate way—and of course, white pumps. The Fosters New Year’s celebration dinner was a party no one would miss. All their closest friends and family would be there. Mr. Porter even showed up for the event, according to Mason. Before getting out of the car, I looked over at her, making sure she was all right. But she was already getting out of the car, brushing her hands down her dress, making sure it wasn’t out of place. She looked so pretty.
“Thanks again for coming with me,” she said, turning to face me.
“Well, I can’t hide forever.” I sighed and took her hand, and we walked up the cobblestone driveway to the door. As we approached, the door opened, and the butler stood holding it open for us to walk through. When we walked in, my mother was recognized immediately. People swarmed her with hugs. I stood next to her, smiling.
“Hey, gorgeous,” Mason whispered as he wrapped his arms around me and lifted me off the ground a little.
“Hey.” I replied nervously, wrapping my arms around him. “I love the pink tie.”
“Thanks. I thought we could match.” His lips curved upward. “Come with me. I want you to meet my father.” His fingers laced with mine. My brow rose confused. “My—other father,” he corrected. I looked back at my mother before we disappeared down the hall. She looked up at me, smiling, and gave me a nod. It felt weird being here with Mason. I was still trying to get used to the idea of us being together. Apart from his family and my mother, no one really knew I had dated Nick. I’m sure his mother didn’t spread that around. I could only imagine what she thought of me. Dating the prodigy and leaving him for the misfit. I scorned myself for thinking so negatively.
When we got in the ballroom, Nick was standing next to his fiancée, chatting with another couple. Our eyes connected and his smile thinned. I tried to smile, but seeing that look on his face hurt. His head slowly turned away.
“Dad.” Mason stopped, tapped his father on the shoulder. Robert turned to face us, looked down at me and smiled.
“Lauren,” he said, surprised but gave me a big smile.
“Mr. Foster.” I shook his hand.
“Please call me Robert.” He nodded at Mason. Then his eyes fell on me. “You have grown into a beautiful young woman, just like your mother,” he said, smiling. Then it hit me. My mother had mentioned that she had been in love with Robert back when they were teenagers.
“Thank you,” I replied bashfully. “My mother is here, actually.”
