Free Queen In Play (The Manhattan Tales Book 2) by Willa Thorne Page B

room.  Despite our distance, the electric current was undeniable.  We stood there, staring at one another for quite a while.
    Finally, he made his way over to me, and I backed up until my back touched the wall.  His presence was strong, but he was not demanding.  His demeanor and body language, the look in his eyes as he gazed down at me… it was all too much.  I was off my guard.
    “I would really like to talk to you, Jillian,” he said softly, and then he added, “please.”
    “What do you want to say, Mason?” I felt my brow crease as I looked up at him.
    “Everything.  I want to say everything…” I watched him pause, unsure of what to say, and how to say it. I found myself captivated in seeing him like this. It was raw. Genuine. His eyes held mine for a long moment before he finally spoke again.
    “I just want to say that I’m sorry. You gave everything to me, and I took you for granted.  I’m sorry that I treated you like property… and,” he breathed deeply and then held my gaze again.  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that I love you when I had the chance.”
    My lower lip quivered, and tears pooled in my eyes.  My throat constricted.  Damnit.  I couldn’t let him see me like this.   My eyes were beginning to sting and I needed to switch out my contact lenses.
    “I have to wash my face,” I blurted stupidly.  I turned to hide my face and hopefully make it to the bathroom, but he caught my arm.
    “Let me take you out for your birthday. One date, Jillian, just one date.”
    I took a gulp of air in an attempt to steady my thinking.  A conflict of emotions were whirring about at a dizzying rate.  My heart was at war with my sense of reasoning.  This is what I wanted.  I’ve fantasized about this for years, since I was eighteen. 
    When I looked into his eyes, I could see everything he was trying to say to me.  It’s not something I can easily describe.  I’ve never seen Mason so nervous, searching… vulnerable. 
    I still love him. The thought was invading, and my heart clenched.
    “I haven’t forgotten the display you gave me last week,” I answered emphatically.  Bitterness edged my tone.
    Mason’s jaw clenched, although it was not in anger.  He was pained and distraught.
    “I was a fool to think I could make you jealous.”  His palms flattened on the wall, on either side of my head.  “You have to believe that I have been miserable without you.”
    Here he was before me, presenting me with the real Mason.  It was unreal.
    I nodded.  “One date,” I agreed.  The words were out before I realized I’d said them.  I guess my heart won this battle...
     
    ****
     
     
    Thursday. Friday. 
     
    After my unexpected encounter with Mason on Wednesday night, I could hardly focus on the two exams I had the next day.  I passed my economics exam and wasn’t so sure about my statistics exam.  Graduation was a grueling three weeks away.  I had senior fever at its finest, and I couldn’t get Mason out of my mind. 
    My Fridays were spent working in Piper’s office from nine to five, since I don’t have classes.  For lunch, Piper and I stepped out to a little corner cafe that was just down the street from the building where her practice is located.
    When we returned, I was greeted with a large bouquet of pink roses, purple daisies and green poms.  The bouquet was exquisite and arranged perfectly in a rippled glass vase that sat on the receptionist desk.  I gasped as I read the crisp white card that was tucked neatly within the bouquet. The note was scrawled in his own handwriting.
     
    I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. -Mason
     
    “He’s determined,” Piper gave a small smile.
    My heart fluttered all over the place within my rib cage.  We had five minutes before Piper’s first afternoon appointment.
    “Am I making the right decision to meet with him tomorrow?”  I asked her tentatively.  I never went to her for advice about her own cousin.  We