Elara POV

Honestly, I am not in the mood to be alone with Mason or talk to him. I am too annoyed with him about Rhiannon. But I cannot preach to Axel and Kane to play nicely and not do the same.

“How about a coffee?” Mason asks as we drive into town. “Wouldn’t you like to visit your favourite café?”

“Mason, if it’s all the same to you, I’d rather ...”

“Elara, please,” he exhales deeply, interrupting me. “I’m trying to apologise. When you were Katie, you got to know me. The real me. Not the guy who cheated on you, or the jealous ass who ran away with his children. Am I really so bad?”

Great, I sigh inwardly, crossing my arms. Emotional blackmail. Every girl’s dream. But he is right. He was good to me when it was just us.

“Okay,” I agree softly.

“Thank you,” he says, sounding happy as he touches my knee. When I do not move or respond, he removes his hand, and we drive in silence.

“Will you get us a table?” I ask when we enter the café. “I need to use the bathroom.”

I do not wait for his reply and make a beeline for the bathroom.

“Katie?”

I look towards the sound of a familiar voice. Emotion rushes through me at the sight of my friend’s blonde pixie cut and her wide grin.

“Quinn!” I smile brightly, walking to her table. “Goddess, it’s been so long!”

She jumps up and squeezes so tightly I can hardly breathe.

“What’s been going on?” Quinn pulls back and looks me up and down. “I haven’t seen you in ages. You look fantastic.”

As much as I love seeing her again, I cannot tell her what has happened. It is too complicated and dangerous. I must cut this happy reunion short and get out of here. I open my mouth to start babbling some bullshit to get out of this conversation, but she continues before I can utter a word.

“You’ve taken off the baby weight,” she snaps her fingers. “You’re so lucky. I mean, I guess it has been what ... six months or so? Stella must be getting so big!”

“She’s growing like a pumpkin,” I say, the first thing that pops up in my mind. “I swear she grows from minute to minute.”

“I hear babies do that,” she says, laughing.

“So, tell me about you,” I invite jovially. “How is your mom, and ...”

“Asher?” Quinn finishes my sentence. “Well, he sure was a pain in the ass to live with for a little while. A sore loser. Not that I blame you. How’s Mason?”

“Oh, he’s actually here,” I say, pointing to our table where Mason is patiently waiting. “Their friendship didn’t suffer, did it?”

“Who knows how men keep their friendships?” She rolls her eyes, leans forward and lowers her voice to a serious tone. “I should be really furious with you, too. All this time, not even a text? What happened to you, Katie? You and Mason ran off together.”

“We didn’t run away,” I laugh awkwardly. “We just needed some time alone to bond, you know? Like really get to know each other.”

“You could’ve let me know,” she pouts. “You know, people talk. Some asked me where you and Stella went off to. I wasn’t really sure what to say. I was worried that something bad had happened to you. You kind of left the way you showed up ... without a word.”

“I’m sorry,” I exhale deeply. “It was such a whirlwind, and I was so used to being on my own, that I didn’t think.”

“Was?” She raises her eyebrows. “Does that mean you and Mason ...”

“No,” I cut her off quickly. “Nothing like that.”

“Okay,” she says quietly. “When you’re ready to talk, I’m ready to listen. No matter what it is, I hope you know that I’m your friend, Katie.”

“Seriously, there’s nothing to tell,” I say urgently. “Mason and I are friends, but ... I’m afraid that’s where it’ll stay.”

“Really?” She gapes at me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Did he do something?”

“Quinn, it’s nothing, honestly,” I reply patiently. “We’re still great friends, but that’s all we’ll ever be.”

“I see,” she nods, sounding disappointed that there is no juicy gossip.

“Don’t get any ideas, okay?” I say firmly. “I’m not looking for a relationship. So, don’t even think about telling Asher to come knocking on my door.”

“I wasn’t ... fine,” she sighs, rolling her eyes when I give her a look. “I won’t say anything to anyone.”

“Thank you,” I smile. “It was great seeing you, but I must go. Mason’s waiting.”

“Wait,” Quinn stops me, placing a hand on my arm. “You can’t just run off like that. I want to hear more about Stella. I miss her. I could go home with you. We could hang out longer?”

“Another time,” I smile. “Promise. We still have boring grocery shopping to do after this. We’ll get together soon, okay?”

“You should come to my party,” she says excitedly. “I’m having a birthday party on Friday, and I’d love it if you came. Bring Stella and Mason, too. And don’t worry about Asher, he’ll get over it all. Say you’ll be there?”

“That sounds awesome,” I smiled, making a mental note to find a way out of this. I will send her a huge gift and an even bigger apology. “Of course I’ll be there. What time?”

“It starts at three,” she replies. “There will be plenty of food and drinks. And you do not have to get me a gift. You being back in town is enough of a present. Oh, Goddess, I’m so happy to see that you’re doing okay!”

Before I can stop her, she has me in a long, hard hug that I happily return.

“I’ll see you Friday,” I smile, pulling away.

“Okay,” she nods, and I walk towards Mason.

“She looks exactly the same,” Mason says as I sit down.

“She does,” I reply. “And if anyone in Stillwood asks, I’m still Katie, and we’re just friends.”