CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO - The Misunderstanding

"I... I'm sorry," Mason mumbled, the fight gone out of him. "I shouldn't have..." Jeremy sighed, shaking his head. "No, you shouldn't have. But it's not me you need to apologize to." Mason nodded, his shoulders slumping. Without another word, he turned and left the restaurant, the cool night air doing little to clear the fog of regret and shame that clouded his mind. As he walked aimlessly through the streets, Mason replayed the scene in his head, cringing at his own behavior. How could he have been so stupid, so insecure? He had let his fears and jealousy get the better of him, and in doing so, he might have pushed Claire away for good. Meanwhile, Claire had hailed a taxi, giving the driver the address of her hotel through barely contained tears. As the city lights blurred past the window, she felt a maelstrom of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. How dare Mason show up like that, making accusations and causing a scene? And yet, beneath her anger and embarrassment, there was