The sound of the car door slamming penetrated him as though he’d been stabbed through the heart. He’d been standing by the window of the living room in his rented beach house hoping Ashley would call back and say never mind.
Mason bent down to pick up his luggage and then walked out the front door. Ashley was coming up the walkway. She looked very happy to see him.
“Mason! You look fantastic,” she said, hugging him fiercely when she reached him. “I guess the sea air agrees with you. Your color is back and you look healthy.”
“Thanks.” He smiled weakly and returned her embrace. “You look good, too.”
She grinned. “Thanks, I’ve been going to a tanning salon. You didn’t have too much leftover food I hope? Maybe we can bag it up and take it with us.”
He shook his head. “No, I didn’t have an
