Page 25 of Fallen Hearts

“See you there. If it’s okay, I’m taking off early today for a dentist appointment.”

“Like I said on your first day, there’s no set time or days. As long as we’re on the same page with what we’re both responsible for, think of your schedule as flexible as mine.”

In other words, just get the job done. Not a problem at all.

“Thanks. I’ll email you my final proposal for some of the things we discussed yesterday before I leave.”

“Sounds good.”

He walked out, Mason’s incredibly well-shaped ass impossible to ignore. At my door, he stopped, though, and turned back to me.

“I don’t think so. I know.”

With that, he was gone.

Know what?

I replayed our conversation.

Ahh. Beck. Mason knew for certain he’d go out with me. But was I crazy to think there was another layer to that? Like maybe because Mason would too? It was a train of thought I should definitely not spend any time exploring, just like I should not be excited to hang out with Mason tonight at O’Malley’s.

If only the mind worked like that and you could turn off your thoughts. Fat chance of that happening anytime soon.

Especially when it came to Mason.

10

MASON

“Here comes your girl,” Parker quipped.

Unfortunately, inviting Pia tonight had given the guys some ideas about us. Namely, that I liked her. Which wasn’t altogether untrue. Maybe it was the grief, having a distraction for my mind as I lay awake at night thinking of all the things I’d never say to my father. The questions I never asked him or the life events of mine he’d miss. In the midst of those thoughts, Pia’s face often appeared. Usually smiling, sometimes laughing, always using her hands to convey a story.

I’d think of a hell of a lot more too, but since I didn’t exactly need her to walk in just as I acquired a hard-on, I pushed those thoughts aside.

“She’s not my girl,” I said.

“Right. Because she’s mine.” Beck gave Cole another Scotch. Apparently he was going to tie one on tonight despite the fact that he’d be driving back tomorrow. Should make for a fun night.

“Not from what I’ve seen.” Cole took the glass and pushed his empty hand across the bar.

“Zip it,” I said, not wanting Pia to hear them talking about her that way. She might have said she was totally fine with Beck’s advances, but they were annoying. And I was not fine with them. Trouble was, Beck didn’t listen very well. Or at all. He’d make a shit Ranger.

“Damn, she’s looking hot tonight.” Parker gave Pia a look that I liked even less than Beck’s advances. At least I knew she wasn’t interested in Beck, but Parker was a big unknown.

He was also right. She did look hot.

It wasn’t her understated outfit—jeans, a white button-down shirt and black boots—or the red lipstick, something I’d not seen her wear yet, which was sexy as hell. It was the way Pia walked into the bar, as if the world were her oyster.

“Hey, guys,” she said, heading toward the empty seat next to me. “Guess this one’s for me?”

She peered at the alcohol behind the bar as Beck came up to her. “Do you have limoncello, by chance?”

“No, ma’am. But I’ll get it for you. Will you go out with me then?”

She laughed. “Nope. Will you still get it?”

Beck rolled his eyes. “Obviously. What are you planning to do with it?”

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