Chapter Nine

Missy

I stood staring at myself in the mirror, my nerves going absolutely wild. I couldn’t believe after the day I had, I was going back to see Mason again. I should be getting a good night’s sleep so I could have a good class tomorrow, but instead, I was gallivanting off to Manhattan to eat dinner in a penthouse with one of the richest men in the city. He was so dreamy, though, and his parents were freaking unbelievable. I couldn’t wait to tell my grandmother I had lunch with them. I really wanted to ask for their autograph, but I felt like it might be rude while having lunch.

“Okay, so tell me again,” Eliza said, walking into the room with three dresses over her arm. “How did you end up at lunch with these people? And when did we get romantically involved with Mason?”

“They came here to surprise Mason for his company anniversary,” I said. “He said he had yoga to go to, and they tagged along. Afterward, Mason asked me to have lunch with them, so I did. When lunch was over, he asked me to come to his place for dinner. So I agreed.”

“Right,” Eliza said, shaking her head. “I’m getting dates with broke artists and you’re randomly getting asked to dinner with the owner of one of the biggest record labels in the country. You are like the luckiest girl I know.”

“Well,” I said, scrunching my face. “It really wasn’t that random.”

“What do you mean?” Eliza handed me the little black dress I had been saving for a special occasion. I guess this was as special as it was going to get.

“We had sex,” I blurted out. “On Sunday. In the studio.”

“Whaaaaat?” Eliza’s mouth dropped open, and she started to dance around me and sing. “You had sex with the billionaire, he’s going to have your baaaabies.”

“First of all, men don’t have babies.” I laughed. “Secondly, don’t curse me with that nonsense.”

“I knew you were in a better mood the last few days,” Eliza said, watching me pull the dress on and zipping up the back for me. “See, I told you getting laid would make you feel better.”

“How do I look?” I turned around and watched Eliza’s mouth pull up into a smile.

“Freaking amazing,” she cooed. “That dress is like, holy-hell hot.”

“That’s an interesting description.” I chuckled, jumping when the sound of a horn went off. “Oh, my car’s here.”

“Okay,” Eliza said, acting more nervous than me. “You look amazing, you smell great, and your makeup is on point. Have fun, make him love you, get married, move me into your pool house.”

“Got it.” I laughed. “I’ll do my best.”

Eliza watched from the shop window as I climbed into the car and set off for the complex. I took a glass of wine from the bar inside the car and drank it quickly, trying to calm my nerves. It didn’t take much time at all to get to Mason’s apartment building, and when I stepped out, I looked up at the overwhelming structure, knowing I was going straight to the top. The elevator was gold plated, and I looked at myself in the reflection. I could pass for a rich woman, sure. As the doors sprung open, I gasped, stepping into the large open room.

The ceilings were about twenty feet high, and the décor of the place was both elegant and rock-and-roll, a feat I didn’t think could be achieved. I would have to remember to ask who his decorator was—not that I would ever be able to afford them. The couches in the living area were sleek, white, and leather, and the backdrop was floor-to-ceiling windows that led out onto an enormous balcony. I shook my head as I walked across the marble floors, staring at the amazing artwork covering the walls. Everything about this place screamed immaculate and controlled. The pictures were masculine in nature yet somehow soft as well. The music playing in the background was Frank Sinatra, and the smell of food wafted from the kitchen.

At that moment, I realized that I forgot to tell him I was a vegan. Whoops. Well, I’d do like I do at every dinner meeting or lunch conference I went to—cut everything up really good and pretend that I was eating it. In reality, I’d eat the vegetables and just push the rest around on my plate so it looked like I ate it. I didn’t like lying to people, but when they go to the trouble of cooking me dinner, I’m not going to crush their spirit by letting them know I am against the way they eat. As I turned the corner, I spotted Mason standing in his dining area, placing a large bouquet of red roses in the center of the place settings. He had thought of everything from the china to the wine. It was actually pretty impressive, and not something that I would expect from a man like him. I always pictured him more as a Chinese takeout, eat from the little aluminum dish kind of guy. Maybe he was trying to impress me.

“Hey there,” he said, looking up and smiling. “Come, have a seat. Dinner will be ready momentarily.”

“This is beautiful.” I gawked.

“Thank you,” he said, looking over from the stove. “I hope you weren’t set on having meat tonight. I made a vegan bolognese over fettuccine.”

“That sounds delicious,” I replied, sitting down at the table, relieved that I wouldn’t have to lie.

As soon as Mason served our dinner and took a seat across from me, we opened the champagne and started drinking and talking. He complimented me on how beautiful I looked, I told him how amazing his place was, and then it just went from there. We always had such a great time talking, and I wondered if we could actually ever run out of things to discuss. He had such an open mind for the man he was, and every time something enlightening came from his mouth, I was surprised. It was amazing to me how well we got along, and I found myself entranced by his intelligence and turned on by his casual look and ice-blue eyes.

When we finished dinner, we moved out to the balcony, where we continued drinking and talking. He was so damn interesting, and I couldn’t help but tell him everything that was on my mind. As he stepped out to use the restroom, he stopped and kissed me gently on the top of the head. My heart started beating fast, and I didn’t let the air out of my lungs until he had disappeared into the apartment. I stood up in a haze and walked to the railing, looking out over the city and letting the air hit me in the face. I smiled deep thinking about how amazing I felt with this man, in this place. However, as I stared out over the city, hearing the blaring sirens of the police, even up that high, my expression changed a bit, and I could feel my heart go heavy.

I had forgotten all about my wall. I had forgotten all about my fears. And I had forgotten all about my dedication to keeping my heart as preserved and protected as possible. Yes, sure, this man was absolutely amazing, but what if it turned out like my parents? What if he left me like everyone else important in my life had? My mind had done it—it had broken through the happiness and reengaged every fear I had ever had when it came to relationships.

I heard Mason come out of the house and back onto the balcony. He walked up next to me and looked out at the flashing lights. I stood staring at him nervously, wanting to run but stuck in that exact place. Mason turned toward me and smiled, leaning forward to kiss my lips. However, at that exact moment, I turned my head and let him kiss my cheek instead. When he pulled back, he looked worried.

“What’s wrong?”

“Huh? Oh, nothing,” I replied with a fake smile. “For some reason, I’m just not feeling too well.”

“Oh, no,” he said, setting down his glass. “What can I do for you?”

“Honestly?”

“Of course,” he said with worry in his eyes.

“I would like to go home and rest,” I replied, lying through my teeth. “I think maybe a good night’s sleep would help me out here.”

“Yes,” Mason said, nodding and pulling out his phone. “I’ll call a car to pick you up.”

I felt absolutely terrible for lying, especially with Mason acting so sweet about it. Part of me—the self-punishing part—wanted him to see right through it and yell at me or something, but instead, he stood rubbing my back and waiting for the car to call up. When it finally did, Mason said a few words to the driver and then turned to me.

“It’s ready.” He smiled kindly. “Shall I walk you down?”

“No, no,” I said breathing heavily and faking laughter. “I can make it on my own. Thank you so much for a lovely evening.”

Mason hugged me and kissed me on the top of the head before opening the elevator and watching me climb inside. As the doors shut, I could see Mason’s amazing eyes clouded with concern. I was such a jerk for running off like this, but panic was setting in and I felt claustrophobic, even when I was standing on the balcony. When I got into the car, I stayed on alert, not wanting to show anyone what the real truth was. I didn’t actually relax until I was back at my place and curled up in a ball in my bed.

I stared over at the nightstand, looking at a picture of my parents and me when I was a baby. My mother was so perfect, and my father radiated love from his look. Tears immediately sprung to my eyes, and I couldn’t figure out what was making me so emotional over this. I don’t know why I was so scared of love, but I do know that fear could be crippling and had been in the past. I let myself have a good cry before sitting up and looking at my phone. I felt terrible for ditching Mason like that, and I knew that I needed to get over these fears so that I wouldn’t blow it with a majorly handsome, sweet, and sexy billionaire. I mean how often would I actually get the chance to date another one?

Feeling the guilt of my actions seeping into my body I picked up my phone and dialed Mason, hoping he hadn’t gone to bed yet. It rang several times, and right before I was about to give up, Mason answered the phone. I sat there for a minute, stunned and not ready to talk to him yet, but there I was with the phone plastered to my face.

“Hey,” I said, sounding sniffly. “So I feel terrible for ditching.”

“Don’t be crazy.” He chuckled. “You weren’t feeling well.”

“Well, regardless—” I shook my head. “—I do, and I want to invite you to my place tomorrow night for dinner.”

“That sounds awesome,” he replied.

“Great,” I said happily. “Seven okay?”

“Perfect,” he said calmly. “Now go get some rest. I want you all happy and chipper at our session tomorrow.”

“You got it,” I replied, laughing.

I was determined to fight this fear, no matter what it took.