New In The Territories (Book 1) COMPLETED

Chapter 42 Sam

Causally looking around I spotted, what I swore was a head of strawberry blonde hair. Starring, willing the man to turn around. My prayers were answered, as if he could feel my eyes drilling holes in the back of his head, he turned around. Our eyes met and the excitement that shot through my body was just about to boil over. It was Mason! He was back! A day late but back. His enthusiasm echoed mine as we waved to each other like a couple of kids. Walking to meet halfway I threw my arms around his neck, at the same time he picked me up spinning me around.

"When did you get back? I thought you were not coming home for a couple more days? How was your trip?" I rushed out in one breath.

Mason laughed at my banter. "I missed you too," he said, kissing me on the cheek.

Taking a hold of his hand, craving his touch, I asked him, "Do you want to get some air with me?"

In response, he led the way out to the patio. Finding a spot near the rail, and went over the weeks' worth of daily routines, as we continued to hold hands.

"I missed you and I'm glad your back. A girl can get addictive to those smiles of yours you know," I teased him, but meant every word. These last few days without seeing Mason put more of a toll on me then I expected, plus it didn't help that I was trying to keep some distance between me and everyone else. Sure I seen Dmitri but that was only for a few minute here and there. I didn't even see Nickoli for lunch. Sure we talked on the phone but never in person. A part of me felt bad but the other part knew I needed some distance.

A waitress came up. "Dmitri had to take a call but he will be out soon," she informed me, handing me a beer.

"Thank you," I replied.

"Am I keeping you from anyone?" I turned back to Mason.

"Nope I'm all yours," he replied.

A feeling of grief and emptiness hit me so hard that me knees gave out. If it wasn't for Mason's quick reflexes I would have landed on my ass. The air was thick, making it hard to breath and the pain in my chest hurt. Not really painful but more a heavy uncomfortable feeling.

"Sam? What's wrong? Are you OK?" Mason sounding a bit panicked.

The feeling began to pass. "Uh...yeah, I think so. That was weird," shaking my head and standing up straighter, I added, "It felt like my chest was empty but somehow heavy at the same time," I shrugged, feeling normal again. I could always talk to Mason. I didn't worry that he would look down at me or make me feel stupid for feeling what I did. I would never admit this to anyone else but I felt more comfortable around him then I did around Mady these days. Oh don't get me wrong I could tell Mady a lot but with Mason I knew he could handle somethings better and not take them to heart as much as Mady did.

"Are you..." he began to say before I cut him off.

Looking across the street a man was walking in our direction, which should have been too far for me to recognize, but I knew who it was and that something was wrong. "Matt?" I said, in a normal voice, much too low to be heard at that distance, but at the call of his name he looked in our direction. "Matt," I called louder, needing to get to him. I didn't know why but I had to see him and now.

"I'll be right back," I said to Mason, starting to make my way through the busy patio.

"Here," Mason said, picking me up then setting me down on the other side of the rail.

"Thank you," I called out as I ran across the street to meet Matt.

Matt kept his eyes on me the whole time, quickening his pace after he noticed I was coming to meet him. Hands in his neatly pressed black slacks pockets, shoulders slumped forward in his pale pink dress shirt with sleeves rolled up. A sad depressing smile tugging at his lips and the relief in his eyes had me run faster.