Ellen's heart was still racing, her thoughts tangled in a mess of confusion and unease as she stood beside Mason at the table. His calm demeanor only made the tension inside her worse, but she forced herself to breathe steadily. The room was buzzing with the low hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses, but all she could focus on was the turmoil churning in her chest. She needed a moment to collect herself, away from the probing eyes and the awkwardness that now seemed to hang between them.
"I'm just going to the restroom," she said quietly, barely making eye contact with Mason as she stepped away.
