I quickly relieve her of a couple of bags, follow her into the kitchen, and set them down on the island. Anxiety wriggles into my brain, and I catch a glimpse of the street outside where Mason is waiting in his car. He might leave if I end up taking too long.

Sofia sighs, shrugging out of her coat and draping it over one of the stools. “Can you help me put them away?”

“Actually,” I say, fidgeting with my fingers. “I was just on my way out.”

She stops moving, looking as though she’s properly noticing me for the first time, taking in my jacket and boots. “Where are you going?”

For some reason, I feel compelled to lie, and the words come easily. “I was with Zoe earlier,” I say. “I left something in her car and she’s dropping it off. We might talk for a while. She’s outside already.”

Sofia’s eyes flicker to the window, noting the pair of headlights. Between the night that’s fallen and the rain, it’s impossible to tell the make of the car. “Oh,” she remarks. “Well, don’t stay out too late.”

Exhaling subtly, I nod. “I won’t.”

I hurry to the front door before she can change her mind. When I step outside into the rain, the world feels muted. My boots splash in the steadily forming puddles as I toss my hood over my head and stick my hands into my pockets, trying not to squint at the bright lights.

Reaching the car, I brace myself before grabbing the handle of the passenger door, pulling it open, and sliding inside. I instantly feel the rush of heat blasting from the air vents in the car, and I shiver involuntarily as I push back my hood.

“Hey.” The low voice comes from beside me, and I turn to look in Mason’s direction for the first time.

His blue-green gaze is riveted to my face, some of his dark hair falling over his forehead, and I can see that the ends are damp, as though he rushed over here and it wasn’t all that long ago that he was out in the rain too. I’m suddenly very aware that we’re in a small, enclosed space.

“Hey,” I return, the word coming out breathier than I intend. “What’s going on?”

“I’m sorry for acting so strange.”

“You’re kind of freaking me out,” I admit.

“For weeks, I’ve wondered if I’m reading too far into things,” he remarks. “But I can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I lied to you.” When he sees my look of confusion, he continues. “On your birthday. I didn’t actually leave when I said I did.”

“Okay,” I say slowly. “Why?”