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“I knew it.” Anger filled his face.
“Stop.” I grabbed his hand as he walked past me. “Mason, just let it go.” I followed him.
“No, I won’t let it go, Lauren.” He pulled away from me. “He had his chance—”
“Mason.” Mason turned slowly to face me. The silence was deafening. “I didn’t come here tonight to start the New Year angry.” His shoulders relaxed, but he didn’t move from where he stood. I took a few steps towards him, closing the gap between us. “I told you that I care about you, Mason. That is not going to change. I want to bring in the New Year with you, to begin something special.” His jaw loosened, and he finally looked at me. I stretched my hand out, grabbed his, and he reeled me in. “It won’t be easy for Nick. We just broke up and now I’m with you. Think about how you felt when you heard about him and me.” It sounded as awful out loud as it did in my head.
Was I crazy?
“I love you,” he whispered. Our lips grazed lightly. Mason shuddered, breathing me in. His arms embraced me and I held him tight. I pulled back to look at him. He grinned, lifted me off the ground and kissed me again. I felt bad for not saying it back, but I was not ready.
It was five minutes to midnight by the time we got back in the great room. The crowd had all gathered in front of the flat screen for the countdown. Mason grabbed us a drink. Then we joined the crowd. The countdown began and the crowd roared. I could feel Mason’s hand squeeze mine as the seconds passed. Through the crowd I saw Nick watching us, his fiancée oblivious to his feelings for me.
“Five . . . four . . .” Mason turned to face me. As the countdown ended, he leaned in and kissed me.
“Happy new year,” he said through our lips.
“Happy new year,” I replied, wrapping my arms around him.
Then the crowd dispersed.
Mason held my hand as we walked out of the ballroom. As I turned, I caught Nick’s stare. My hand slipped from Mason’s and I slowly walked towards Nick.
“Lauren?” I heard Mason call out as I walked away.
Nick put his glass down and walked towards me. His lips parted slightly, unsure of my intentions. I glanced at his fiancée, Stacey, who then turned just as we met up in the center of the room. Then it felt as though everyone’s eyes were on us. I grabbed Nick’s hand in one hand, wrapping my arm around his neck with the other.
“Happy new year,” I whispered in his ear, giving him a peck on his cheek. His arms came around me, and I felt the love in his embrace, envelop me. I held back the tears as best I could.
“Happy new year,” he choked. He didn’t want to let me go. I broke free, my hand finding his and giving it a squeeze before walking away. His cheek lingered next to mind his lips close to my ears but he stepped back smiled and nodded before turning and walking back to where he was standing.
“What was that about?” Mason asked a hint of anger in his tone.
“I wished him a happy new year, Mason. Relax.” I sighed. “Is this how it is going to be between the two of you from now on?”
“What are you talking about?” he replied.
“Every time we are in the same room with Nick, is this how it’s going to be, uncomfortable and angry stares?”
“No,” he scoffed.
“Good.”
“Are you still in love with him?” he asked.
“Mason—”
He interjected, his eyes darting in Nick’s direction, “Do you still love him? It’s a simple question, Lauren.”
I saw that Nick was watching us. I inhaled deeply, looked him in the eyes and replied, “Yes.” The pain on his face that followed was hard to bear, but it was better to be honest with him than to lie. “It’s only been a short while, Mason. I can’t just shut it off.”
“Do you love me?” he asked.
“I care about you. I told you that,” I replied.
“Yeah—but is that enough?” He sighed.
“I don’t know Mason, is it?” My head tilted. “I forgave you for everything you did, giving you a second chance not Nick. I told you that it would be hard for me to trust you, but I was willing to try. If you aren’t willing—”
