Why?
She found herself staring at Mason, searching his face for answers that weren't there. He looked so composed, his features set in that familiar, unreadable expression that both comforted and frustrated her. She wanted to ask him what he was thinking, to dig beneath that calm exterior and find out what was really going on in his head.
But she was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even notice the misstep she made until she heard Mason hiss in pain.
"Ellen," Mason's voice was tense, and she blinked in surprise, suddenly realizing that she had stepped on his foot.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" Ellen exclaimed, her voice tinged with panic as she quickly looked down, mortified by her mistake. She turned red with embarrassment and could feel her heart thumping like crazy.