Fated

CHAPTER 18

MASON'S POV

“Hey Mom!” I shouted and watched her jump slightly.

“MASON! Boy! You almost gave me a heart attack!” I had snuck into the kitchen. She was washing out a pot and daydreaming. I kissed her cheek then took a seat at the table.

“Sorry...maybe,” I laughed. She threw her dish towel at me and shook her head.

“When did you get here and why didn't you call me? I would've picked you up.”

I shook my head at her. “This morning and I wanted to surprise you.”

“Well you certainly did that. How are you, baby?”

“I'm pretty good, Mom. Business is good. We're working on an ad for a computer company and an ad for two beverage companies.”

“That's great! I'm so proud of you. And besides business?” She arched her eyebrow and grinned. I knew where this was going.

“Mom…”

“What?”

“Don't start.”

“Well have you tried?” I felt myself getting warm. Every time I thought of her, my body ignited. My thoughts became scattered and I lost focus. I couldn't think of her without getting sad.

“No.” I balled my hand into a fist to keep from exploding. I wasn't angry at my mom, I was angry at myself...and at Jasmine. She wouldn't talk to me. I'd tried that night and it fell on deaf ears. She wouldn't listen, wouldn't give me the chance.

“Well are you going to?” I sat pondering my mother's question? Should I try? She'd made it clear that she wanted me out of her life. I respected her wishes and cut all contact with her. I still spoke to her mom and she still spoke to mine so anything I needed to know, I found out from them.

I knew she'd stayed with pansy ass Lance and just thinking about it made my blood boil. There was nothing wrong with the guy, he just wasn't me. I had no doubt he'd fall in love with her. Jasmine was the best so that wasn't an issue. The issue is that I should be the one loving her. I should be the one touching her, kissing her, fu--STOP!

“Mom, I tried earlier. She shut me down and walked out of my life.”

“She asks about you.”

“What?”

“Yeah. She may be mad or hurt or whatever, but she hasn't stopped caring. She asks about you.” That threw me for a loop. Rationally, I know feelings don't just go away, but I didn't think she kept tabs on me. A few months ago, I moved to Seattle to expand my company. It made it easier to stay away from Jasmine. Before I left, I wrote her a letter and put it in her mailbox.

<Letter> To my best friend, I'm sorry for the hurt I've caused you. I could try to use this letter to explain, but I won't waste the space on that. What happened on the ship wasn't what it looked like. Anyway, I'll be in Seattle by the time you read this. I'll do what you want and leave you be, but I couldn't let 15 years of friendship die, especially on such a sour note. I love you. Not just as my friend, but so much more. I wish I hadn't been such a coward once my feelings changed, but I didn't want to lose what we had. Looking back, if I could do it all over again, I wouldn't have stopped that day in your room. When I watched you dancing, when I touched you, when I kissed you. Right now, I see your face. You rolling your eyes when you let me get my way. Your beautiful eyes, your full mouth, the blush when we'd touch. It's all committed to memory. I wish you the best and I'll cherish our intimate moments. We'll always have the Captain's dinner! You'll forever be my Jassy. I love you. Your Masey-poo. <>