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He shouldn’t have come to the wedding. He justified it—Trina was his friend, Spencer was going to be his boss, and Ginny obviously didn’t care.
But this sucked.
He sat with the bride’s friends, and like everyone else, watched in awe as she walked down the aisle on her father’s arm. Her older brother and a guy who looked suspiciously like someone Mason saw in a video game once were Spencer’s best men. Two women Mason never met stood on Trina’s side.
Who would be by Ginny’s side at her wedding? Mason would ask Max to be his best man—
That was a bad train of thought to entertain. He didn’t even know if he loved her, and now there was no chance he’d find out.
The ceremony was beautiful. Mason had never seen Trina so happy. Her glow lit up the room brighter than the sun streaming through the church windows. And the way Spencer rarely pulled his gaze from her filled the air with an almost tangible adoration.
Mason was furiously jealous. Not of Spencer, but of the love that flowed in the room.
He headed to the reception hall, wondering as he drove why he was hanging around.
Because this is better than being at Ginny’s place, pretending life is continuing as normal.
He waited in line to congratulate the bride and groom. “You look incredible,” he said to Trina when it was his turn.
“You’re sweet. I’m glad you came.” She hugged him. He shook Spencer’s hand, and listened to her have an almost identical conversation with the person behind him.
Would Ginny go nuts in a setting like this? Sure, she was practiced at it, but did she have dreams of a white dress and a huge wedding party, or would she want to elope? Pay a guy dressed as Elvis to marry them in a Las Vegas chapel?
Maybe someday she’d give those answers to the right guy.
Mason sat at a table at the back of the hotel reception room, listening to the people around him chatter. He watched as Trina danced with her father, who then switched places with Spencer. He watched as everyone else spilled onto the floor.
He politely brushed off a brunette in a stunning pink dress, when she asked if he’d join her.
Why was he still here?
Right. It was still less awkward than going home.
He sat there through a couple more songs. It was time for him to call it a night.
“Hey, Mr. Scowly.” Trina pulled out a chair and sat next to him. “Where’s Ginny?”
“Working.” He didn’t want to get into this with anyone, but especially not her. Tonight was her night.
“Is that why your frown is etched in place?”
Mason forced a smile. It probably looked horrible. “Something like that. She’s moving to Montana soon, and...” And what? Wouldn’t talk to him anymore?
“Oh.” Trina frowned. “Are you going with her? Is that why you haven’t taken the job yet? I know, that’s between you and Spencer, but I was curious.”
“No, I’m not going with her. And I am going to take the job, I just haven’t made it official yet.” Saying it aloud, that he was accepting, was the one bright spot in his day. He wanted this opportunity.
Spencer stepped up next to Trina and rested his hand on her shoulder. She covered his hand with hers. “Did you break up? Are you going to try to make it work long distance? Sorry if I’m prying.”
“We weren’t a couple.” Mason hated the reality of that. He was going to say she just puts on a good show, but the resentment wasn’t there.
“Oh. I could have sworn...” She glanced at her new husband. “He said yes.”
“Glad to hear it.” Spencer shook Mason’s hand. “You and I will talk when she and I get back.”
“Yeah. No problem. And I won’t make the two of you talk business. Congratulations to both of you. You look very happy,” Mason said.
Trina’s grin was back. “We really are.”
They drifted off to talk to other people.
A short while later, Mason left. He intended to stay in town for the night, rather than make the six-hour drive back to San Francisco, but half an hour later he was on the freeway headed home.
He should be sick of driving after the trip out here. Instead, the only thing he didn’t look forward to, was making the trip alone.
Rather than listen to his thoughts, he cranked the radio, cracked the windows, and let the external noise fill his head.
When he got home, Ginny’s bedroom door was open, but he wasn’t surprised to find her sleeping.
He wanted to talk, but he wouldn’t wake her up to do so. It would wait until tomorrow.
*
WHEN GINNY HEARD MASON come home, she did the most childish thing she’d done in ages—and she knew that was saying a lot considering her behavior the past few days. She pretended to sleep.
Every time she had to face him, it was more difficult. She was grateful she’d come clean about her reasons for leaving. That she’d put her feelings on the table, but also made the choice clear.
This was killing her, though. Seeing Mason made her question her decision, and it got worse with each encounter. If she caved and stayed, she’d resent him, despite the fact it was her decision. If she left and took him with her, he’d probably harbor the same feelings. This was the only way.
And no matter how many times she told herself that, it felt like she was giving up.
She didn’t need to be in Montana for a few days, but staying there alone was better than being here and ignoring Mason. Half an hour later, she’d changed her plane reservation, packed her few belongings, and called for a cab.
She padded quietly into the kitchen, and scribbled him a note.
It took her several scratched out false-starts, before she decided on I had to leave early. I’m sorry I missed you. Keep in touch.
Ginny didn’t make a sound as she walked to the front door. She grabbed the knob.
“Really?” Mason’s flat voice hit her back. “I get a note and you sneaking out in the middle of the night? I don’t even rate a personal goodbye?”
She gripped the knob tightly, to give her something to focus on. “I guess so.”
His soft footsteps on might as well have been drumbeats for the way they echoed in her ears. He stopped close enough his heat radiated toward her. “At least let me drive you to the airport.”
“I already called a cab.” She couldn’t look at him. She’d falter and break if she did.
“I see. So... I guess have a safe flight and thanks for everything and good luck.”
“Me too.” Her voice cracked. Her response didn’t make sense. At least she’d managed to say something.
He kissed the top of her head. “Goodbye.”
She didn’t trust herself to say anything else, so she left.