23. Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Three
What are your plans now that the conference is over?” the woman sitting next to me asked.
We had just ended the final event of WorldWikiMania and I had returned to the long table on the stage to get my stuff.
We had a panel about next steps and plans for next year’s conference.
I hadn’t seen any of the WikiAcademia staff or those from Lacock State during the day. I was sure there was plenty going on.
“I found a great tour of Jane Austen spots around the country,” I told her. “They cater to people who use wheelchairs.”
“You’ll love Bath,” she said in a soft English accent. “The English seaside is so peaceful.”
I smiled. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
I had decided to do this so I could recharge before getting on a plane to go home.
I didn’t expect it to be more comfortable than the flight here.
I didn’t want to go from the conference to the long plane ride.
This tour company had been suggested by some other editors I knew from the UK.
I had only booked my spot before I left for London and well before I had left my letter for Mason.
I had slept peacefully for the rest of the night after I left my note for him.
I knew it might take him days to see it or to be able to respond.
I wasn’t as worried as I expected to be.
He could reject me, sure, but he could want a life together again.
I was ready to make changes in my life to be where he needed me to be.
If that was Lacock, it would be fine. I was sure I would enjoy helping them increase their accessibility and find money to help.
Even if Lois continued her war with me, I was ready to fight.
I moved down the ramp and saw Cooper in the back of the room. He waved when he spotted me.
“Great news!” he said, a wide smile lighting up his face. “Mason accepted the job.”
My heart raced. Mason had not only listened to my advice, but he had taken care of himself first for once.
“He’s said he’d like some time off before he officially starts,” Cooper continued, “but since he’s technically off for the summer, he is available before the fall semester starts.”
“That will be perfect for him to see how the team works before he makes changes,” I said, nodding in encouragement.
“Thank you for speaking to him,” Cooper said, putting a hand on my shoulder. “You don’t need to tell me details, but it’s clear that he values your opinion of him. I hope his new position won’t keep you from spending time with us.”
I smiled and dismissed the concern, but I hadn’t thought about it.
I had no intention of giving up my relationship with WikiAcademia, but if Mason rejected me, then it would be uncomfortable.
“We’ll talk when he’s more settled, but I’m interested hearing about what role you have in mind moving forward. ”
I left the room and made my way to the elevator to go back to my room. I wanted to crash for the rest of the day, order dinner from room service, and watch something I couldn’t see in America.
“Hold the door!” a voice said as I turned around and pressed the button for my floor.
I pushed the button to open the doors and looked up to see Mason.
“Hi,” he said when the door closed.
We were alone in the elevator. My heart raced, and I had to remind myself to breathe.
If he was going to reject me again, this was the perfect moment for it to happen.
I could cry through the night, get ice cream instead of dinner from room service, and put my feelings back in their box while I enjoyed my trip around the UK.
“What floor?” I asked.
Mason raised an eyebrow and looked at the panel. “The same one you’re going to.”
“Do you have to get your bags?” I asked him. “Are you leaving tonight?”
Mason shook his head and got down on his knee so we were eye to eye. “My bags are with the concierge for the moment.”
My pulse thudded in my ears, and I felt it in my fingers. I was sure it was loud enough for him to hear it too. I opened my mouth to speak, but it was dry and nothing came out.
“I saw your note,” he said in a low voice.
“Oh?” I said, still unable to form words. All I wanted to do was lean closer and kiss his lips.
“You should only have hope,” he whispered and leaned closer until our lips met.
I inhaled the soft scent of clean cotton, something I had fought to cling to over the years but had failed to fully remember how distinct Mason’s smell was.
“I have my room for another day,” I whispered when our lips parted.
My plan for the evening was only slightly changed by Mason coming to the room with me. We did spend the evening in bed, ordered room service, and watched shows we couldn’t get in America. We also made love and talked. We agreed he should go back to Lacock on his own.
“You’re going to move to Lacock?” Mason said, the hope on his face making me want to cover him in kisses. “I admit I fantasized about this after February’s conference, but I never thought you would agree.”
“It’s not the same anymore. I think they’re open to my help,” I said, running my fingers through his hair. “I’ve been working with Carrie Woodhouse and I know I can help make their plans happen.”
Masson nodded as he leaned in to kiss me again.
“I can’t promise not to go to war with Lois,” I added. “She pushes my buttons every time I see her.”
Mason groaned and buried his head in my neck. “She’s not evil, but I understand.”
“She took my research and presented it as her own,” I reminded him.
He let out a deep sigh. “After you left, I asked her about it. I had assumed she had been slow to ask for your help and moved before she got your permission. She swore you had given her permission since you were leaving. When I saw her present her plan to the campus and not credit you, I confronted her. I tried to convince her to at least acknowledge you. I think Mee did the same and resigned soon after. Lois gives advice freely but sucks at taking it.”
I couldn’t disagree. Whether you wanted her advice or not, she gave it.
“Speaking of her advice, Grace told me about the tenure situation. Have you heard yet?” I asked in a low voice.
Mason wrapped his arms around me and pulled my body closer. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t want it.”
“You aren’t curious?” I asked as I traced the lines on his face. He had aged over the last few years, but I liked the way they matured him.
Mason closed his eyes to my touch and smiled. “My assumption has been that I’ll be rejected. I knew that as soon as she told me I was lacking the research expected for tenure. Walking away now means nobody has to make that decision.”
“It’s like she’s made a mountain out of a molehill and decided to die on that molehill,” I said with a giggle.
“I like that way of thinking about it,” Mason said as his smile spread. “I already gave my notice to the chair of the department and offered to teach as an adjunct for the semester while they find people to replace me. I withdrew my tenure application to the trustees.”
“Did you tell Lois?” I asked.
Mason nodded and grimaced. “I had to miss all of today’s events because I sat with her and Heather to tell them my decision.”
“That didn’t go well if it took all day,” I said before placing a kiss on his shoulder.
“No, but it went the way I expected,” he added.
“Lois has been in a bad head space about this since February. I thought, when the WikiAcademia job was announced, that I had a great solution to my problem, but she went into overdrive to convince me it was the wrong thing. She quickly focused on convincing me that you would sabotage my chances.”
“I would never have done that. I was angry, but I want you to have everything you dream of.”
Mason pressed his forehead to mine. “I forgot that in my own anger about our break up. She knew it and harped on it until I saw her side again.”
We lay in silence, both thinking about Lois and her manipulating our fears.
“You didn’t need me anymore and it hurt,” Mason said.
I wasn’t expecting that. I leaned back and looked him in the eyes. “I never needed you, but I always wanted you.”
“You don’t need anyone,” he added under his breath.
I shook my head and put my hand on his cheek. “What I need is emotional support. You always gave me that until she started to chip away at your confidence. I’m sorry I forgot that you need to know how you’re helping people.”
“I can be the support you need,” Mason said and kissed me again.
“And I can make sure you remember how amazing you are,” I added.