That afternoon she drove home after bringing Ned to the airport. The storm ended up passing and he was able to board his plane faster than they had first thought he would. After a long drive home, she just wanted to take a nice bath and relax. Maybe call Hannah and watch a movie together. One she safely pulled into her driveway, she texted her friend.
May 30th, 6:35 pm - Katie: Movie at my place?
May 30th, 6:37 pm - Hannah: Ooh can I bring Jace? He's missing his Auntie Katie.
May 30th, 6:37 pm - Katie: Of course! I'd love to see my nephew.
May 30th, 6:37 pm - Hannah: I'll be over in let's say a half an hour since I'm guessing you just got home.
May 30th, 6:38 pm - Katie: See you then Han. I miss you.
May 30th, 6:38 pm - Hannah: I miss you too Katie. We should get lunch sometime soon :)
May 30th, 6:39 pm - Katie: We should. I'm gonna go take a quick bath and relax before you come over.
May 30th, 6:39 pm - Hannah: Alright. I'll let you go and take a bath. Jace and I made cookies, I'll bring you some.
May 30th, 6:40 pm - Katie: Ooh cookies! Can't wait. Love you.
She smiled as grabbed her bag from the passenger seat before getting out of her car and locking it. She was dead tired, but she always loved getting time with her best friend and nephew, so she would never say no to them even if she was the one who asked first.
She unlocked her door and walked inside, locking it behind her. All she could hope for was a nice night.
No Mason. No ghosts. No sadness. Just fun with Hannah and Jace and some good night sleep.
She scaled the stairs and blindly walked into her and Ned's room to see a flower petal heart on the bed and multiple candles lit.
"What?" She asked and dropped her bag down.
Had Ned done this? No. That was last night, everything would've died out by now. Maybe he had someone do it for him? Who else would do it?
The bedroom door closed behind her and she tensed up as someone wrapped their arm around her.
"You miss me?" Mason whispered. His hands touched the zipper of her dress, pulling it down some to kiss the bare skin he revealed there. "I knew coming when Ned was here would be a bad choice, but now that we're alone..."
She had to play along. She had to get him out of here.
"I know. I know," she said and turned around to face him. "But not now. Hannah's coming over."
"Didn't you get my text?" He hugged her. "I texted you."
"I didn't get anything. I swear." she said and pulled out her phone, showing him. "See?"
"You were with Ned while you were in the city?" He touched the hickey on her neck, touching the one that followed a few inches after that one too. "Why?"
How would she answer this correctly.
She pressed her lips into a fine line and sighed, feeling a tear roll down her cheek. "Of course I was." She answered. "He's my husband."
"But you don't love him like you do me, right?" He asked.
"Of course I love you." She fed his ego, touching his face. "Mason, you should really go. Before Han gets here."
"Yes. You're right." He whispered, touching her face. "Can I kiss you?"
She nodded uneasily, feeling his lips brush against her tenderly. He pulled back a moment later, itching the back of his head.
"I'll see you soon." He left after that.
The guilt came immediately to haunt her as she took in a breath. She would never forgive herself.
She kissed another man.
After everything, she'd been through with Ned. She loved that man so much and she just told Mason she loved him. She kissed him. Mason kissed her. Either way, her lips were on another man's and they shouldn't have been.
One second passed.
Two seconds passed.
Three seconds passed.
Guilt was eating and pestering her. A fire burned in her mind and throat. Remorse hit her like a sledgehammer. Her heartbeat seemed to echo in the room.
She had to tell Ned, before it was too late. He'd believe her, right? He wouldn't be mad? But he could be so possessive, so possessive. How could he ever forgive her for doing that?
For kissing Mason.
The doorbell rang and she picked herself up, going to blow out all the candles and switch into something more comfortable.
Hannah would know what to do. She always knew how to cheer her up and help her bring her life from shattered to whole again, just like Ned did.
She'd be fine. She always was. Eventually. Usually.