She stood by herself, annoyed that she still felt a bit shaky. “I’m fine,” she lied to herself as well as everyone else. She gritted her teeth. She was fine. Just a bit battered and bruised. And a bit tired. It wasn’t every day she had a tree fall on her.
“I’ll help you out.” Mason stepped forward, concern coloring his eyes.
“I’ve got her,” Noah said brusquely as he took her uninjured arm.
She gave Mason a smile that she hoped said she was fine and leaned against Noah—just a tiny bit—as they walked out of the inn.
Mason packed up Zoe’s things, carefully folding the clothes she’d tossed randomly on a chair. He smiled as he did it. The woman just didn’t grasp the concept of orderly whereas he was methodical and organized to a fault. But it was just one more thing that he found adorable about her.
Gathering up the things she’d left in the bathroom—scattered all over the counter—he walked out and glanced around the bedroom, making sure he’d gotten everything. With one last look, he went back to the main room of the suite.
The emptiness of the space stifled him. He missed seeing Zoe here. Her laugh, her smile, her teasing. Even her mess. But it was better she was back with her uncle. It had been plain to see how worried Noah was about her, and he didn’t blame him. He’d been so worried about Zoe, too. When that tree had started to fall and he’d seen Zoe standing there… his heart had just about stopped.
He shook the thoughts away.
He’d really, really wanted to ask her to stay here at the suite. Just one more night. But that would have been selfish. She’d had quite an ordeal and needed her family. He stepped out of the suite and closed the door firmly behind him.
He got downstairs with Zoe’s things and ran into his dad.
“Get everything?”
“I hope so. I’m going to head over to Zoe’s and give them to her.”
His dad nodded. “Then what?”
“Then I need to head back to Seattle. I’ve already called the pilot. I leave in the morning. I’ve been away too long. I really need to get back.”
His dad frowned, chewed his lip, then let out a long sigh. “Things are pretty much under control here. I’m coming with you, son. Need to talk to the Board of Directors.”
And what would his father be telling the board? Was he coming back to run the company? Or was he going to stay here on the island? His father’s face didn’t give him a clue, but he figured his dad would tell him when the time was right.
He nodded. “Okay, sounds good.”
After driving over to Noah’s house, he parked in front of it and sat in the car for a few minutes, steeling himself. Readying himself to say goodbye to Zoe. And this time, he meant it. He wasn’t going to be turning around at the airport and heading right back. He’d run out of excuses. And he had responsibilities to the company. It was time.
He climbed out of the car and trudged up to the front door. Noah opened it and let him in. “She’s tired. She needs some rest. I don’t think you should stay long.”
Mason nodded.
“She’s in the back sunroom.” Noah pointed through the main room.
Mason walked slowly across the space, each step dragging him down. Smothering him. But he put on a cheerful—if fake—smile when he entered the sunroom. “Hey there.”
Zoe looked up at him and smiled. That smile. The one that took his breath away and drove him a bit crazy. And he wanted to kiss those lips, but he was well aware that Noah was just steps away, hovering near.
“I brought your things.” He set her belongings on a chair.
“That was nice of you.”
“I hope I got everything.”
“If not, I’ll go back and get anything you missed.”
Simple conversation, if a bit inane, as he stalled, unwilling to tell her what he’d really come to say.
She looked up at him and her brow wrinkled. And he sensed the exact moment that she knew already.
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” Her eyes held a cloak of sadness.
“I am. I need to get back to Seattle. Dad’s going with me. We’re leaving first thing in the morning.”
She nodded slightly. “Well, your job is there. I knew you’d have to leave soon.”
She scooted up on the couch and he sat down beside her. “I’m going to miss you, Zoe.”
“I’ll miss you too. These couple of weeks… they’ve been…” She looked down at her hands, not finishing her sentence.
He glanced out of the sunroom, not seeing Noah, and took her hand in his. “These weeks have been wonderful. I really enjoyed spending time with you. I wish…” He looked directly into her eyes. “I wish things were different.”
“But they aren’t.” Her voice was low.
“No, they aren’t.”
“Do you think you’ll come back to visit… visit the island?”
“Probably. I’m not sure how often I can get away, though.” He gave her a weak smile. “But I’m just a mere six-hour flight away from here.”
Noah came walking into the room and Mason dropped Zoe’s hand. “Here, Zoe, I brought you some tea.” He set the teacup on the coffee table. “You should rest.”
Mason took his clue. “I should go then.” He stood.
“Uncle Noah, can you give us a minute?”
Noah nodded and left the sunroom, though Mason could hear him rustling around in the adjoining room.
“You take care of yourself, Zoe Birch.”
She nodded.
He leaned down and kissed the side of her cheek, turned, and walked out of the room, knowing that if he kissed her lips, if he said anything more, that he’d never be able to make himself leave.
Zoe watched Mason leave and reached a hand up to touch her cheek where he’d kissed her. Then she touched her lips. The lips she’d hoped he’d kiss just one more time.
A lone tear trailed down her cheek and she did
