Chapter 6
Which was silly.
He and his Navy friends had just been there the night before.
She usually saw him when she saw him, and that was that.
They already had plans for the next day.
He’d sent her a string of texts that afternoon.
Yet her stomach had fluttered every time the door had opened, and she’d secretly hoped he’d come walking in.
“When’s your car supposed to be ready?” Amy asked, unlocking the doors. “It seems like they’re scamming you holding it for so long.”
“Soon. Supposedly. And I know—the shop is owned by my ex’s friend. I’m pretty sure he’s giving me the run around just to be a jackass.”
“You should send those guys you know over to pick it up for you. The Navy SEALs? One look from them, and they’ll be handing over your keys.”
“Yeah, Mason actually offered to go with me. If I don’t get it back soon, I might have to take him up on it. I can’t keep having everyone drive me around. Thanks again for the lift,” she said, opening the passenger door.
“Are you off tomorrow?” Amy asked.
Taylor smiled as she peeked back into the door. “Yep. Mason and I are going out.”
“Wait—we’ve been working together all day, and you are just now mentioning that?” Amy shrieked.
“Like you said, we were working. I didn’t get a chance.”
“Uh-uh. Well I’m working all day tomorrow, so have fun, sister. He’s a hottie. I want to hear all the details next time.”
“You bet. Thanks again,” she said, closing the passenger door. Heat flushed across her cheeks, despite the coolness in the night air. Goodness. Every single time she even thought of Mason, her entire body alighted with warmth.
It had been that way for months—waiting their table had been excruciating at first. She’d been sure she’d drop the entire tray of drinks with the way her hands shook or trip right in front of him and make a fool of herself.
Not that they gave her a hard time—a couple of the other guys had ribbed Mason about her a bit.
And she’d certainly known that he was interested in her.
But every time those blue eyes met hers, she’d felt like he could see right through her.
It was as if he could look past her hesitancy around him, her nervousness, and see straight into her very soul.
Amy’s car pulled away, and Taylor crossed the parking lot toward her apartment building, gazing up at the faint stars in the sky.
Adrenaline pumped through her, and she had the crazy urge to go down to the beach.
She’d love to walk along the sand in the darkness, listening to the waves crashing on the shore.
Clearing her head. Letting the cool breeze wash over her.
Not that she’d feel comfortable venturing there alone at this time of night. Although it was a relatively safe area, walking around alone in the dark wasn’t necessarily a smart move. Ever.
The boardwalk was relatively safe with all the hotels and restaurants that ran along it, but the quieter north end of the beach where she lived was secluded at this time of night.
She squinted up at the stars again, but the lamplights in the parking lot and light coming from the apartments kept her from really seeing them well.
She walked into her apartment building, similar to the walk-up garden style one her best friend Bailey lived in. She lightly climbed the open staircase, not wanting to wake her neighbors.
The sound of a TV came from behind one door, and laughter erupted behind another, but she knew some families had young kids and babies that were fast asleep.
When she reached the third floor, she turned toward her own apartment as she dug her keys from her purse and gasped.
Eric lay slouched over, passed out on her doormat, a smooshed bouquet of flowers next to him.
His chest rose and fell slightly, and she took in his rumpled appearance.
His tee shirt was slightly pulled out from his jeans, an empty beer can lay crushed next to him, dark circles were under his eyes, and he looked like he hadn’t shaved in several days.
She hedged slightly closer, and heard his quiet snore.
Shit.
If she opened the door to her apartment, he’d fall into her foyer.
What was she supposed to do? Drag his large body out of the way?
She looked at the other doors in the hallway, as if that would somehow give her an answer. Maybe if someone came out they could help her move him?
But then what if he woke up?
Blowing out a sigh, she took her cell phone from her purse. There were no texts from him, so clearly he’d intended to surprise her.
And he must have known she’d be home late at night after her shift at Anchors.
Alone.
She’d been pleasantly surprised to find him gone this morning—her front door had been locked, there was no note. She was guessing he’d woken up and not even remembered what had happened.
So why the hell was he here again now?
She turned back to the stairs, quietly walking back down the way she’d just come. The rubber sole of her sneaker squeaked on the metal tread, and she froze.
Hell.
She glanced up the empty stairwell but didn’t see anyone. Didn’t hear any movement.
That didn’t mean she wanted to stick around and wait for him to wake up though. She huffed out a frustrated sigh. She couldn’t even get in her car and drive over to Bailey’s apartment since she didn’t have it. Thanks to Eric.
So much for taking a long, hot shower and crashing in her own bed. She’d already spent last night at Bailey’s and was looking forward to relaxing at home tonight.
This entire situation was getting ridiculous.
She quickly texted her best friend. Bailey’s reply came back a moment later.
Bryan is over here, but we can come get you.
Shoot.
If her best friend was on a date, she didn’t want to go crash over there. Or have her drive all the way across town to get her. Maybe she should just call a cab? Stay at a hotel?
Don’t worry, I’ll figure something else out.
Enjoy the night with your new man.
Scrolling through the contact list on her phone, Taylor hovered over Mason’s name.
He’d said to call him if Eric showed up, but not even twenty-four hours had gone by.
She couldn’t just expect him to come running every time her ex was around.
And it’s not like Mason could even tell him to buzz off since Eric was currently passed out drunk.
Again.
What was he going to do? Wait around all night for him to wake up so they could talk man to man? Give her a ride to a hotel?
Blowing out a sigh, she decided to text him anyway. If they had plans for tomorrow, she had to at least let him know she might not be at her own place tonight.
And that her ex might be around tomorrow when Mason came to pick her up.
Goodness.
Why did she always feel like such a hot mess around Mason anyway? First her car trouble, then her ex. He was going to lose interest before they ever even had a date at this rate.
Quickly typing a message before she lost her nerve, she sent him a text.
Are you up?
Mason’s reply buzzed almost instantly.
Getting ready for bed. Did you just home from work?
I’m looking forward to our date tomorrow.
Heat flooded her cheeks, but she tried to tame her excitement. She needed to figure out where to go for the night. How to handle Eric. She’d worry about her date with Mason tomorrow.
She quickly thumbed a response.
I’m in the parking lot of my apartment. Eric is passed out on my doorstep.
My ex.
Mason didn’t reply immediately, and a brief feeling of doubt washed over her. Maybe she shouldn’t have texted him? He could be tired and not want her bothering him this late at night. It wasn’t like this was an emergency or something.
It wasn’t like Mason was her boyfriend.
She probably should’ve just gotten a cab ride to a hotel and checked in for the night. She didn’t have any of her things but—
Mason’s name flashed across the screen of her cell phone with an incoming call.
“Hello?” she squeaked.
“I’m on my way over,” he said, his voice deep.
Authoritative. Inexplicably, a feeling of calm washed over her.
“If he’s not up when I get there, I’ll drag him out of the way so you can get inside.
We’ll put him in a cab and send him on his way.
I’m headed north on Atlantic Avenue, so text me your address. ”
“Wait—what? You’re driving over here now?”
“Already on my way.”
“I thought you were getting ready for bed.”
Her eyes drifted across the lot as she spotted a couple walking hand-in-hand toward a convertible. It had been so long since she’d been in a happy relationship, the image almost looked foreign to her.
Like something out of a fairy tale.
“I was, but now I’m on my way to get you.
If your ex is passed out drunk, I can’t exactly have a talk with him now.
But I don’t want to leave you there alone.
I can move him out of the way so you can get into your place, but I don’t want him to wake up and pound on your door in a couple of hours. Not with you there alone.
“But—”
“I assume you still don’t have your car?”
“No, not yet.”
“I can drive you back to my place. Or your friend’s,” he quickly added. “Wherever you’d be comfortable. Or I can stay at your place tonight and tell him to get lost in case he comes back pounding on your door.”
“I don’t know,” she said nervously. “I don’t want him to get mad. If he wants to talk and you’re there....”
Her voice trailed off, and she hated how weak she sounded. How she was letting Eric manipulate the situation even now after they’d broken up.
“Sweetheart, he needs to get over it. To move on. Maybe he can’t take no for an answer from you, but if I open your front door, believe me, he won’t be coming back.”
“Okay. I’m just worried.”
“There’s nothing to worry about,” Mason assured her. “I can crash on your couch tonight. But don’t worry, I know we’re just getting to know each other. I don’t expect anything from you if I stay the night.”
“And tomorrow?”
“What about tomorrow?” he asked.
“Do you still want to go out?”
“Hell yes,” he said immediately. “This doesn’t change things.
I told you last night to call me if your ex showed up, and I’m glad you did.
I don’t want you to have to worry about him.
Hell, like I said, even if you didn’t want to go out with me, I’d help you.
I don’t appreciate a man refusing to leave a woman alone.
Continually showing up uninvited. The fact that he keeps coming by when you’ve told him it’s over isn’t cool. ”
“Okay,” she said, feeling a little breathless. Mason sounded so angry on her behalf. And he had a right to be, she supposed. He was concerned for her. Maybe they weren’t together exactly but they’d known each other for a while. “So, I’ll see you soon?”
“Affirmative. I should be there in ten minutes. Stay out front since it’s late. Unless he wakes up before I get there—then get somewhere that he can’t see you.”
“I doubt he’ll be up anytime soon. His drinking has gotten worse and worse. Once he passes out, he’s out for a couple of hours at least.”
“All right, sweetheart. Don’t worry. I’m on my way.”