He adds, “But I’m also not here to mislead you, Ginnie. I want more than your trust. I do intend to win you back. You and me—our story was never meant to end like that. And I love you far too much.”
Hearing him say he loves me sends a spike through my heart. Marus and I never got a chance to really say it to each other, but I felt it. And I feel it now. Which really freaks me the hell out because it feels better than it should.
I swallow hard, not able to accept that any of this is really happening—him showing up out of the blue and making me feel like this. “I don’t want this. I can’t—”
“I’m only here today to ask one thing: leave your back door open.”
Huh?
He blinks. “That came out wrong. I mean to say, don’t shut the door on us and throw away the key. Leave it unlocked. Let me prove what I’m telling you is true.”
I assume he’s referring to the fact that he is Marus.
“In fact,” he says, “I came prepared. I’ve been planning it for a month.” He points over his shoulder. “It’s outside.”
Oh no. “Don’t tell me it’s a horse trailer.”
He smiles, and though his short beard is back, I spot those familiar little dimples hiding underneath. I loved his smiles. Even now I find it hard to look away.
“No. Not a horse trailer. Come with me.” He goes for the door, and I follow reluctantly.
There’s a group of about ten people gathered on my lawn. Mason walks over to an older woman standing near the front. “Ginnie, this is Laura Wilson. She just opened a free daycare for working mothers.”
“Ginnie, so nice to meet you.” Laura shakes my hand vigorously. “I’ve heard so many nice things about you. And we’re all so grateful to Mason for his work.”
“But…umm…” I stand there with a confused look.
“This is Earl,” Mason says, introducing a middle-aged man wearing a baseball cap and jeans. “He expanded his woodworking shop from his garage in Alabama to a fully operational craftsman school for vets.”
“Nice to meet you, Miss Angelico.” The man shakes my hand.
“Uh, nice to meet you, too?” I turn to Mason. “What is all this?”
“Proof. I have not let go of Marus.”
“Sooo.” My eyes shift between him and all these people standing with huge giddy smiles. “You’ve been helping them.”
“Yes. However, given the circumstances, I didn’t feel merely telling you was enough. I wanted you to see that they are not fantasies. They are real and so is everything Marus did.”
Oh. This is Mason’s way of saying I was right. The last time I saw him, I told him that all of it was real—the people Marus helped, the good he did, my feelings. So he was listening.
I can hardly speak. I’d give anything to get back what I lost, but I also said goodbye to Marus and told myself I’d never take such a bold dangerous leap with my heart again, even if I got something incredible in return: Russ. It was a painful journey to get here. Single. Pregnant. Heartbroken. I picked myself up and made it work.
“I think I need a moment. Excuse me, everyone.” I smile politely at them and go inside to sit on my couch. I feel like my heart and head are pulling in two different directions, and it doesn’t feel good. My gut, good old gut, is silent on the matter.
Through the open window, I hear Mason saying his goodbyes to everyone.
I throw my head back and look up. Please, someone tell me what to do. I want to believe this is real, that this man is the one I fell so hard for. I wish I knew what to do. I really, really wish…
“You do know, Ginnie.”
I lower my head. Mason is standing in the doorway of the living room.
“Sorry?”
“You were wishing right now. Wishing you knew what to do.”
“You can’t possibly know that,” I say.
He shrugs. “Like I said, Marus is right here.” He taps the side of his head. “Also, you kind of said that out loud.”
“Oh.” I stare and then I stare some more. Do I take a leap one more time and let him into my life, even if it’s just a little bit? Or do I shut the door forever?
I think of Russ and what it would mean if his parents ended up being one of those epic love stories that made it against all odds. And included a whole genie in a bottle angle. But more importantly, what would it mean to me? If this man is the love of my life, then there’d be nothing left to wish for. I’d have the perfect life.
“You once told me,” he adds, “if you couldn’t have all of me, then we wouldn’t work. Well, that’s what I’m finally able to offer. When and if you’re ever ready,” he adds.