Chapter Eighty One
“I’ve just spoken to Buzz.”
I take a bite of my sandwich. “That’s good. How did it go?”
“A lot better than last time. We’re having lunch tomorrow.”
“Ah, that’s awesome. I’m so happy for you.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with me seeing him?” she asks.
“Of course I am. I want you to be happy.”
“I know you do. I just don’t want it to bring back any bad memories for you.”
“I have good memories too.” She nods but it’s obvious that something is on her mind. “What’s up?” I ask.
“Buzz told me something about Mason.”
My heart aches at the mention of his name. “Go on.”
“He’s been in Australia.”
I start to imagine hundreds of different scenarios. “Has he met somebody?”
She frowns. “No. At least, I don’t think so. Buzz told me that he’s flying home today. I just thought you might want to know.”
I shrug. “Why? He doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
“You don’t know that.”
I push the rest of my sandwich away from me. “Yes, I do. It’s been three weeks. Jesus, he travelled to the other side of the world to get away from me.”
“Maybe you should try and talk to him now that you’ve both had some time to process everything.”
“No.”
“Soph…”
“Lor, stop it. This isn’t one of your romance novels. I’m not going to rush to the airport so I can declare my undying love for him. This is real life. It was only last week that I finally managed to leave the house without breaking down. I can’t take any more heartache. If he wants to talk to me then he knows where I am.”
I gasp when my cell starts to ring. Lori’s eyes widen. “Is it him?” My heart plummets when I see that it’s Kristen. A perfect example of why I need to try and move on with my life.
I sigh. “Of course it’s not him. Hello Kristen.”
“Sophia, how are you?”
“I’m getting there,” I tell her, surprised that she actually let me answer for once.
“I need your help.”
“No.”
“Please, Sophia.”
“No. I’ve told you, no more traps.”
“I know you have and I’ve been very patient with you. It’s been three weeks and I haven’t asked you for a thing. But you’re still my employee for one more week. I’m in a very tight spot and I promise I won’t ask you again. This is the last trap you will ever have to go on. If you agree to do it then your employment will cease tonight.”
“I want it in writing.”
“Deal. Swing by the office first and you can have it.”
I sigh. “Where do you need me to be?”
“Scoma’s. Seven thirty.”
Scoma’s. The place where Mason and I first met. I close my eyes and think back to a much simpler time. Before I agreed to take part in Emily’s evil plan. Before I broke an honest man’s heart and broke my own in the process. I would do anything to be given a second chance but unfortunately, we don’t always get them. “Can we meet at a different place?”
“Come on, Sophia. You know we don’t get to choose the location.”
“Fine. What’s his name?”
“Um, one second, let me check… it’s Andy. I don’t have a photo but I’m sure he will stand out, he’s got long blonde hair down to his shoulders and he’s six foot five.”
“Great, I’m trapping Thor.”
She laughs. “Thank you, Sophia. It’s going to be okay, you know. It might not feel like it now but in the end, it will all be okay.”
I think back to when she said something very similar a few weeks ago and look how that turned out.
Something isn’t right.
The restaurant is completely empty and I can’t even see a member of staff. I frown and head in the direction of the bar to no avail. “Hello?” I shout. Kristen must have sent me to the wrong place. At least I can leave; it’s already starting to bring back memories of Mason. I pull my cell out of my purse and call Kristen as I make my way outside. It starts to ring just as I push through the double doors. I glance around and stop dead in my tracks when I see Mason sitting on the bench, watching me. He smiles and it feels like home. “Hello, Sophia.”
I try to talk but no words come out. I clear my throat and try again. “Mason, what are you doing here?”
“I’m here to see you.”
My heart feels like it’s about to leap out of my chest. “I thought I was here for a trap.” I cancel Kristen’s call.
“I asked your boss for a favor. Well, it was more of a guilt trip. She agreed to do it for you, not me.”
“She’s not my boss after tonight.”
“You quit?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want this life anymore. I meant what I said that night at the penthouse. My priorities have changed.”
He pats the bench. “Will you sit with me?” I nod and walk over to him. The air becomes considerably thicker and I feel the familiar buzz of energy between us. “It’s strange being back here, isn’t it? It’s like we’ve come full circle.”
I nod. “I wish I could go back to that first night.”
“Me too.”
We sit in silence for what feels like minutes. “When did you get back?” I ask.
“A few hours ago.”
“Did the time away help?”
“Yes, it did. I’ve had a lot of time to think and I actually want to apologize to you. I left before I even gave you the chance to properly explain. I was in shock and I didn’t want to believe that you had anything to do with Emily so I ran away as far as I could go.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. I’m the one who should be sorry. I swear to you that I would never have agreed to help her if I had known what she was up to. To me, it was just another job.”
He nods and pulls a box out of his jacket pocket. I recognize it straight away. He takes out his grandpa’s watch then removes the velvet insert, revealing a piece of paper underneath. “Can I share something with you?”
“Of course you can.”
"This is a note from my grandpa. I’ve always kept it in here and it means more to me than the actual watch does. That’s why I was so upset when I thought that I had lost it. He gave each of his grandchildren a piece of advice. He told my cousin to live for the moment and never give up on her dreams. He told my sister to always be herself and to stand up for what she believes in. He could have chosen any piece of advice to give to me but this is what he thought I needed to hear the most. ‘There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.’ When Emily cheated on me, I was so close to walking away but this note is what made me stay. I tried to make the words fit the situation but I realize now that it was never about Emily. I forgave her because I deserved peace but I forgive you because you actually deserve forgiveness. You’re a good person and I know you were only doing what you had to do. I believe you came into my life for a reason but I’m sitting here now through choice. I choose you, Sophia. I will always choose you. It has taken me twenty seven years to find you and I’m not willing to let you go. It might be a bumpy ride but I can guarantee it will all be worth it in the end.”
My eyes fill with tears. “I thought I’d lost you.”
“I was lost but you never lost me.”
“Can we start over?”
“I can’t think of a better place to start over than right here on this bench, where it all began.” He takes my face in his hands and kisses me like he’s trying to make up for lost time. “Sophia?”
“Yes?”
“Would it be weird if I told you that I’ve fallen in love with you?”
I beam with happiness. “No, Mason. No, it wouldn’t.”