Page 15 of Meet Mason, the Billionaire

My phone rang, and it turned out to be Mason. I smiled at Junebug.

“Hey, do you mind if I answer this?”

“No problem. Here, you want me to open your door for you? Your hands are full.”

“Sure.” I transferred my door keys to his hand and took the call. “Viva El Santo!”

“Yes, viva!” We both laughed while Junebug opened the door for me and I walked into my apartment. “How are you doing, Megan?”

“I’m doing just fine. Just got back from the grocery store. My friend Junebug is helping me carry in the groceries. Say Hi to Mason, Junebug.”

I held the phone out for him. He put his pierced face close to it and hollered.

“Hi to Mason, Junebug.”

I slapped him on the arm now that I had my hand free to do so.

“You smart ass jerk, get the hell out of here.”

“But the cycle—”

“I’ll be there, and you will too.”

Junebug took his leave and I turned my attention back to my phone call. Was it a phone call from my boyfriend? I wasn’t sure. Felt like murky waters.

“So what’s this Cycle?” Mason asked.

“It’s a performance piece being put on by my friend How Weird.”

“His name is How Weird?”

“His name is Howard, but we kind of call him How Weird as an affectionate nickname. Besides, it fits. Even for an artist, he’s a little weird.”

“I see. And of course you’re going to support him in his performance, yes?”

“I’ll be there… actually, it’s tonight. Would you want to go with me? I kind of can’t get out of it, nor would I want to.”

“I’d love to come.”

“Are you sure? I mean, we’re talking off-off-OFF Broadway community theater.”

“If you’ll be there, I’m interested.”

“Well all right, then. It’s a date.” He chuckled. “What time does the show start?”

“Seven PM sharp.”

“Could I come by and get you at five? Maybe grab a bite to eat before the performance?”

“That sounds lovely,” I said. Then I remembered my bank account. “Um, I’m a little short of money at the moment.”

“Don’t stress about it. I’ve got it covered.”

I put two and two together. He said he worked for a firm, and I’d never gotten around to looking it up…

“Wait a second,” I said. “Not that it has anything to do with me wanting to date you, but just how rich are you?”

He laughed softly.

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