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“I was thinking, since you’re actually venturing out into the world—”
That’s all it takes for him to stop, to take one look from me to the jewel in my hand and immediately shake his head.
“But you don’t even know what I was going to say!” My stomach sinks with disappointment.
His gaze squares on mine. “You want me to give that to someone. But Tasha, that can never happen. And if this is about your mom, there’s nothing to worry about. As long as you remain here, Arthur will look after her.”
“It’s not for my mom.”
“Then who?” His gaze narrows, his brows merge, like he’s trying to determine who he could’ve possibly missed on the paltry social column of my pathetic high school résumé.
“It’s for Mason. I never got to say goodbye.”
A hint of recognition flashes across Braxton’s face. “Right,” he says. “Your best friend and coworker at the vegan café.”
“Wow,” I say. “You reallydidmemorize my file.”
Braxton shrugs. “The answer is still no.” He turns away and gets back to packing.
“But you don’t have to actually visit him.” I trail Braxton from his bathroom to his kitchen where he sorts his vitamins into a small plastic container, then back to his bedroom where he tosses them into his bag.
“Good,” he says. “Because I won’t be anywhere near there.”
“All I’m asking is that you mail it. I want to give him a shot at something better. And with this—” I hold up the clip. “Well, he can sell it and put the money toward college.”
Braxton pushes down on the small pile of jeans, sweaters, socks, and underwear, then zips his bag shut in one quick stroke. “You want to help your friend?” When he faces me, his gaze is darker than I’ve ever seen. “Then make peace with the fact that you can never contact him again. Under any circumstance. Understand?”
The words hang heavy between us. I don’t like the sound of anything he just said.
Still, I don’t want to end it like this. Not after the wonderful night and morning we shared. So I nod agreeably, kiss him passionately, and leave him to finish whatever he needs to do before he heads off island.
But on my way out, I leave the diamond hair clip on the table by the door, along with a short note from me to Mason, and another note with the address where Braxton can send it.
As I make the trip back to my room, I feel confident that Braxton will do the right thing.
