Page 31 of Fallen Hearts

When the waitress came, we both ordered red beans and rice. “Speaking of men, and the small pool of them in Cedar Falls, has anyone else caught your eye yet? One of Mason’s other buddies thatisn’tBeck, maybe?”

I swallowed, knowing I should not answer that question, as if saying it out loud made it less true.

“Pia?” she prompted.

I looked at her guiltily through my eyelashes, choosing to take a sip of my drink instead of answering.

“It’s one of them, isn’t it? The cute professor?”

I shook my head.

“The sexy construction worker, Parker.”

“No, not him.”

“Oh no.” Her eyes widened. “Pia.”

“I’m not doing anything about it,” I rushed to explain. “And I certainly didn’t ask to be attracted to the same guy who pretty much tossed me out on the street. But…” I thought about him leaning against the wall last night after we danced. If I could have stopped staring at his strong jaw or forearms, I would have. Never mind his ass in jeans. “There’s just something about him. I can’t explain it.”

She put her drink down and leaned forward, as if getting ready for a speech. “I totally understand and probably should have warned you about him. Mason Bennett is a certified hottie. And no, I didn’t date him. But I have a friend who did in high school, and that guy is as emotionally unavailable as they come.”

“I can tell. But also just plain old unavailable too, being that he’s my boss and all.”

“That too.”

“You asked,” I defended myself. “Was just being honest.”

“And I’m glad you told me so I can talk you out of it.”

I shook my head. “No need. I will not be acting on that particular impulse. I’ve had enough heartbreak to last a lifetime, and I’m pretty sure he’s not a commitment kind of guy.”

“He’s not.”

“And let’s reiterate, my boss.”

“That too.”

“So completely off-limits.”

“Completely.” Delaney looked over my shoulder. “Just making sure we’re on the same page.”

“Absolutely we are.”

“Good. Then you won’t care that he just walked in.”

12

MASON

“Thanks, Maggie,” I said as she sat us close enough to the small stage to hear the sax player but far enough away to still be able to talk.

“We should get down there again,” Parker said as we sat.

“New Orleans?”

“Yeah. Maybe when Cole gets his tenure.”

We ordered drinks, and I looked around the room. Seeing Paul Baker with his family, I waved. Paul returned it.

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