CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR - Awkward Introductions

"Mason," she said gently, "you are one of the most brilliant, innovative people I've ever met. Don't let Lucas make you doubt yourself." There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. When Mason spoke again, his voice was thick with emotion. "Thank you, Claire. You always know exactly what to say." They talked for over an hour, about Mason's struggles at work, about Claire's projects at Dayton, about everything and nothing. As they spoke, Claire felt the distance between them shrinking, as if Mason were right there in the room with her. When they finally said goodnight, Claire sat in the darkness of her living room, her mind whirling. She thought about how natural it felt to support Mason, to be there for him. She thought about the excitement she felt when discussing his work, the way her own ideas seemed to flow more freely when she talked to him. The soft glow of the city lights filtered through her curtains, casting long shadows across her apartment. Claire's finger