Page 35 of Unromance

“We’ll just start with Christmas and New Year’s,” Luis amended with a clearing of his throat. “For now.” As if there would be more holidays to divvy up in the future, and not like they’d be out of each other’s lives in a week’s time.

Sawyer shot Mason a befuddled look, clearly wondering the same thing as him: How had this happened in the span of five minutes? But Luis’s question was still lingering in the back of Mason’s mind. When did this thing with Sawyer end? Their last concrete plan was New Year’s Eve, but Lily’s brunch would buy him another day. He wasn’t ready to lose her. His friend. His friend whom he likedspending friendly time with, as a friend. Who looked fucking amazing in the baggy old-man sweater she wore, sexy in a totally platonic way.

“Alright, well,” Sawyer said brightly, returning the mug to the shelf with a wistful look. “I’d say it’s been fun, but, frankly, I’m terrified to let you two scheme further, so Mason and I are gonna skedaddle. IKEA’s calling, gotta go ruin romance and maybe friendship now, too. Just to be safe.”

They said their goodbyes, Sawyer practically dragging him out of the store. They both glanced back at the last minute, Luis and Lily waving them off like proud parents on a porch stoop.

“I don’t trust that,” Sawyer said with a frown.

“Oh, I definitely don’t trust that.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

KISS ME SO WE CAN HIDE– The bad guys are coming, and if we mash our faces together, we’ll become invisible. Probably.

God, I hate this place,” Mason mumbled under his breath.

They’d been in IKEA for only five minutes—not counting the ten minutes it took them to find each other again after parking—and it was the second time he’d said it. Sawyer stood on her tiptoes to peer around the family in front of them who had stopped to examine the room setup, effectively blocking the walkway.

She let out a frustrated sigh that sent her bangs fluttering. “Well, we’re here now and there’s only one way out: through.”

“This is my personal horror movie.”

“You’re the one who needed a nightstand,” she grumbled. “I don’t get why you couldn’t do it the easy way.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

She scoffed. “Get wine drunk and impulse order one online. Obviously.”

Spotting a gap in the crowd, Mason grabbed her hand and dragged her through with him, his tall stature making the family part for him in a way they hadn’t for her. He dropped her hand once they were through, a strange tingling sensation left in its wake.

“I tried,” he grumbled. “I want one to match my current one, but they all look the same online.”

“Do you really have so many sex toys that you need a second nightstand?”

Mason’s eyes danced as he stared down at her. “Some people use their nightstands for more than just vibrators, Sawyer.”

She raised her brows pointedly. “Like what?”

“Books?”

Touché.

Mason slowed his steps, something unreadable crossing his expression.

“What?” she asked, glancing around for the source of his sudden change in demeanor.

“Do you wanna get out of here?” he asked urgently.

“I mean, yes, always, but why?”

He exhaled heavily, pushing up the brim of his gray beanie to run a hand through his absurdly shiny hair. It was longer than when they’d first met a month ago, his previously short sides now grown out and curling above his ears. He pulled the hat down, and Sawyer resisted the strange urge to push it back, to play with the barely there curls.

“I don’t need it.”

Sawyer’s brows knit together. That was a valid reason and one she used often, but she didn’t exactly have money to spare. If Mason wanted a second nightstand, he could definitely get one.

“I was only getting one because Kara always complained about not having one when she spent the night.”

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