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Mason swore he heard a sob right before the door shut between them.
He understood the sentiment. He was tempted to do the same.
So that was it. She was gone, and they’d both move on.
Except he couldn’t do that. If she’d told him to go to hell, or that she never wanted to see him again, he’d let her walk away.
That didn’t describe now. But he also couldn’t chase her down. They were pursuing her dreams. Asking her to stay an extra day or two would just make that harder.
He wandered to the couch and flopped onto the middle cushion. What was he supposed to do?
Ginny said they were friends. Mason wanted that. He’d be happy with that. He fished his phone out of his pocket.
He typed I miss you, then erased it. The words had too much implication.
Enjoy life. He deleted that too. It was too cold.
Have a safe flight. He clicked Send.
A response buzzed through within seconds. You already said that.
The response might be snarky, but he heard it in her voice, with a hint of teasing, and couldn’t help his smile. But now you have written proof.
:) Thank you.
How did such a brief thought make him feel so much better? It wasn’t as good as having her here, but suddenly it didn’t feel like she’d cut everything off between them.
We’ll keep in touch, right? he asked.
Do you want to?
Of course he did. Of course I do.
Me too.
This time he understood what she meant by that.
Send me a message when you land, so I know you’re safe, he typed.
I will. Talk to you in a few hours.
Mason let his phone drop onto the couch. That wasn’t a solution, but it was a start.
****
GINNY WAS DRAINED WHEN she got back to her motel room. One day on the job, and she could already see it would be tougher than her residency in San Francisco.
She’d sat in on a consultation with a girl about her age, who was living in a shelter with her daughter. Mother and daughter had escaped an abusive boyfriend six months ago, and the woman had finally found work.
Ginny’s heart had cracked when the woman started crying with gratitude and relief. But it was a good crack. Ginny wanted to wrap her up and tell her that despite the bumps, as long as she kept pushing, she’d keep rising above it all.
There were going to be crushing days as well, Ginny knew that, but this was a good reminder to start with, that she was helping these women.
She had a mile-long to-do list. Things she’d done to prepare for life in San Francisco that she needed to do here. Apartment hunting was on the top of the list. It would wait until her next day off. Tonight, she wanted to plant herself in front of the TV, with a pint of ice cream, and tune out the world.
Half an hour later, the ice cream was gone, and nothing was grabbing her attention on the television.
Call Mason.
She shouldn’t do that.
Why not?
Good question. One she didn’t have an answer to. Friends talked, right? She’d spoken to both Colleen and Shannon when she got into town.
She wanted to Facetime with Mason, but he had to be an Android snob. She should get him to walk her through installing a different video app, so she could see him. Tonight, she settled for dialing his number all normal-like.
“Hey.” He answered before the first ring finished.
The cheer in his voice made her grin. “Hey, yourself. This is Ginny, by the way.”
“I kind of figured, with your name showing up on the screen and all. Besides, I recognize your voice.”
How did he make her blush with such a simple statement? “You sure?” she teased. “You haven’t forgotten my name in the sea of women pounding down your door?”
“Never. Not in a million, gazillion years could I forget your voice.”
That just wasn’t fair. “Shameless flatterer.”
“Only for you. How was your first day of work?”
“Exhausting. Rewarding.” I wish I’d come home to you. She wasn’t going that far. This was their reality, and she wouldn’t make things worse.
“I’m glad to hear it. Except the exhausting part.”
“Me too.” What was she supposed to say now? Small talk should be her thing. “How’s not having to worry about work?”
“It’s good. I’m binge-watching Supernatural.”
She should tease him. Ask if he was checking out Sam or Dean. It wasn’t as much fun without him here. “That’s cool.”
“Yeah.”
Wow, this sucked. She wanted to chat for hours. Watch the show with him. Poke holes in the plot, but also be scared by the monster of the week.
But she didn’t want to miss him more. “So... I guess I’ll let you get back to it.”
“Sure. Cool.” His flat tone reflected her disappointment. “Call me tomorrow when you’re done with work.”
She should tell him no. “I will.”
Maybe she’d conveniently forget. Or send him a text that said she had another appointment.
Or maybe she’d wean herself from his company more slowly. Another call tomorrow wouldn’t hurt.
Until there were no more calls.