“Well, maybe you could take a few more days off,” I say, wheels turning. “We could go somewhere. Camping, or to Hilton Head if you don’t mind a long drive.”
Her brow furrows. “Both sound amazing, but I can’t. I have five weddings coming up in June, two corporate parties that want a big spread, and three baby showers. I’m going to be working like a dog until the middle of July, and I just added another wedding in August. Not that I’m complaining,” she hurries to add. “I’d rather have too much work than not enough, but it would be nice to have a few more days with you.”
“We have as many days as you’ll give me,” I say, squeezing her hand. “We’ll find time to be together. I don’t start work until next month and when I do I’m one of five doctors at the practice. We share rounds and take turns being on call, so the hours shouldn’t be nearly as deadly as med school or residency. And Bliss River’s only an hour from the city. I could be at your place by six thirty or so most nights.”
She shakes her head slowly back and forth.
“What? What’s wrong?” I ask. “Has traffic gotten worse since I left? I used to be able to make it home from Atlanta in fifty minutes, an hour tops, but—”
“No, it’s not that,” Lark cuts in, shaking her head. “It’s just…this. Us. It’s blowing my mind a little.”
My ribs tighten. “Me too. But in the best way.”
She nods, easing the pressure in my chest. “Definitely. I can’t remember the last time I felt so—”
“Lark? Lark March, is that you?” The voice is so high-pitched it’s nearly a squeal and loud enough that the entire front section of the diner turns to stare as a vaguely familiar brunette wearing a t-shirt that reads “Soccer Mom and Proud of It!” wiggles up to our table and my stomach drops.
This woman is grinning at Lark with one eye, but shooting daggers at me with the other.
Chapter 15
Mason
Lark detangles her hand from mine with a guilty expression. “Vicky! What’s up? How are you?” She stands, moving to embrace the other woman, who shoots me another not-so-nice glance over Lark’s shoulder.
“I’m fine,” Vicky says as she hugs Lark. “Just meeting some girls from my old Baby and Me class for breakfast while the kids are at school.”
“You’re kidding.” Lark pulls away, but remains standing next to our booth, her back turned just enough to exclude me from the conversation. “Is Braxton already in school?”
“And Braden, too. He started kindergarten last year.”
“That’s so crazy! It seems like your wedding was like, what? Two minutes ago?”
“We’re celebrating our tenth anniversary this year.” Vicky beams the smug beam of the happily married, the beam that used to make me want to vomit when I was in New York and wondering if winning Lark back was nothing but a pipe dream.
“I heard Aria was back in town,” Vicky continues. “You remember she was one of my bridesmaids.”
“I do,” Lark says. “I’ll tell her you said hi.”
“Do that, and tell her to call me! We need to do some catching up. I can’t wait to hear all her news and see that new baby of hers. I’m dying to hold a real baby.” She sighs. “All mine are getting too big to want to snuggle with Mama. I keep telling Brent we should have another—I’m only twenty-nine, for goodness sakes, it’s not like we have to close up shop—but he can’t stand the diaper years. He’s so excited now that the boys are old enough to play soccer and go fishing with him on Sunday afternoons.”
“That must be nice. Well…I’ll tell Aria to give you a call,” Lark says, edging one leg slowly back into our booth in the universal sign for “I’m ready to return to my meal now, please go away,” but Vicky continues to linger.
“And how are you doing?” Vicky asks, with a pointed look in my direction. As soon as her gaze connects with mine, the warmth vanishes from her expression.
Well, if this woman is going to hate me, we might as well be properly introduced.
“Hi, I’m Mason Stewart.” I stand and extend my hand.
“Oh, I know who you are. I sat behind you in Algebra II junior year,” Vicky says, her lips pruning. “But even if I hadn’t, I would know Mason Stewart. Everyone in Bliss River knows who you are…and what you did.”
“Vicky, please,” Lark murmurs beneath her breath.
“You know I’m not one to keep my mouth shut, Lark. You’re like a little sister to me,” she says. “And I wouldn’t consider myself much of a friend to you, or Aria, if I didn’t look this one right in the eye and say shame on you.” She wags a finger in my direction, like I’m a dog who just peed on the carpet. “Shame! On you!”
Lark sighs. “Vicky—”
“You’re right,” I say, cutting her off before she’s forced to defend me again. “What I did to Lark was shameful. Not to mention the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. Luckily, she’s been good enough to give me another chance, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life proving she made the right call.”
Vicky sniffs, looking somewhat mollified. “Well, at least you know you’re a rat.”
“Was a rat,” I correct with my most charming smile. “And thanks for being such a good friend to Lark. I’m glad she has people who love her enough to finger wag me in public.”
Vicky’s mouth twitches on one side. “Well,” she says, raising her eyebrows. “He always was too smooth and good looking for his own good, but you keep him in line, honey. And make sure that engagement ring is big enough to blind people from fifty feet away.” She leans in, hugging Lark one last time. “See you later, sugar! Don’t forget to tell your sister to call me.”
By the time Vicky finally hustles away to the opposite corner of the restaurant, Lark’s cheeks are bright pink with embarrassment.
“I am so sorry,” she whispers, sliding back into the booth, clutching her coffee like a lifeline.
“Why are you sorry? I’m the rat.”
She shakes her head, keeping her eyes on her cup. “It’s this town. Everybody knows everything about everyone else. It probably wouldn’t have been so bad if I hadn’t called all my friends the night you proposed, but—”
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” I cut in. “I did. And I have to deal with the fallout.”
“But you shouldn’t have to put up with people calling you a rat every time we’re out together,” she says. “That’s ridiculous.”
“It’s not so bad.” I shrug. “And it can’t last forever. Within a few months, we should run into everyone who hates me on your behalf. Eventually I’ll have apologized to all of them and we can move on with our lives.”
“I don’t know.” She lifts a dubious brow. “Between the three of us, the March sisters have a lot of friends.”
I smile. “Not surprising. You’re fun people. Even Aria,” I add with a wink.