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“What?” I gasped. “When?”
“About a month ago,” he replied, shrugging.
“Why?” I touched his arm affectionately.
He looked down at my hand on his arm. “I told her about you and that my feelings hadn’t changed. It was sort of mutual. She had been seeing someone while I was here, in Portland,” he scoffed.
I rubbed his arm tenderly. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. I’m fine.” He brushed it off, shrugging my hand off.
“No, you’re not,” I sighed, then hugged my arms.
“Did you—uh—know Mason was going to ask you to marry him? Have you been talking about marriage?” he asked.
“No!” I blurted. “He surprised me with this.” I looked down at my hand, the diamond catching the light.
“You looked surprised.” He laughed stretching out holding the iron veranda railing.
“How is it you know me so well?” I asked, tilting my head slightly.
“I guess I pay attention.” He smiled.
“Yeah . . . you do,” I muttered. I let out a sigh and turned away from his stare. “I should get back—before he notices I’m gone.”
“He doesn’t know you are out here with me?” He frowned.
“I slipped out as everyone went to the den,” I replied.
He nodded, looking back at the door. “Take care of yourself, Lauren,” he said, taking my hand, and pulling me in for a hug. “Are you not coming in?”
“Nah,” he said, clearing his throat. “I need to head home.” He turned away from me.
“Nick—”
He turned suddenly agitated. “I’m sorry, Lauren. I just can’t sit back and watch you be with him,” he said, running his fingers through his hair. “My heart just can’t take it.”
I bit my bottom lip. “Nick—” I gasped, my heart skipping.
He backed away slowly, gave me a wave, and then walked down the stairs to the yard. I wanted to stop him from leaving. I wanted to hold him and tell him that everything was going to be okay. The patio door opened a few moments later, and I heard Mason’s voice.
“There you are,” he said, walking towards me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “What are you doing out here by yourself?”
“I wasn’t by myself. Nick just left,” I replied.
Mason looked around, and asked, “Where did he go?”
“He said he was heading home,” I replied.
“Already?” he replied, surprised.
“Yeah.”
“Oh, well, come inside. Everyone is wondering where you are,” Mason said, holding out his arm. I linked my arm with his and we walked back inside. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about Nick. I hated that he left because he couldn’t deal with being around Mason and me. Mason had started to notice my distraction. So did everyone else.
“What’s bothering you?” Cassie asked.
“Huh? Nothing. I’m just tired,” I replied. Cassie eyed me.
