CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE - The Wedding Day

Claire's phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand, jolting her awake. She fumbled for it, squinting at the bright screen in the dim morning light. Her mother's name flashed across the display. "Mom?" Claire answered, her voice still groggy with sleep. "Is everything okay?" "Good morning, sweetheart!" her mother's cheerful voice rang out. "Everything's wonderful. Your father and I have a surprise for you!" Claire sat up, suddenly more alert. "A surprise?" "We're in San Francisco! We thought we'd pop in for the weekend and spend some time with you and Mason. Isn't that exciting?" Claire's heart raced. "You're... here? Now?" "Well, not right this second," her mother laughed. "We just landed. We're heading to our hotel to freshen up, but we'd love to see you for dinner tonight. How about that new restaurant you mentioned last time we talked? The one with the view of the bay?" Claire's mind whirled. She glanced at the empty space beside her in bed, where Mason should have been. He'