Page 20 of As Long As You Kiss Me

“No. You’re not getting the message. I just wanted a chance to make things better, and I want an explanation of why you don’t want to try.”

“I don’t owe you an explanation.”

“You’re not telling me you’re with that military guy, are you?”

“What if I am? What would it matter to you?” Sully shot back.

“Because you know those military guys have a lot of baggage. And I can read people. You know that about me. You don’t want to get involved with a guy like that. He has major issues that you’ll never understand.”

“I think you need to leave.”

“You don’t need to be so demanding. I’m just trying to have a little conversation with you. Just hear me out.”

“What’s so important, Mason?” She shouldn’t have given him the opportunity to say his piece. But she was getting tired of fighting with him. Maybe it would just be easier to let him say what he wanted, get it out of his system.

“You’re what’s so important. I’m still in love with you, and I want to make things better. I don’t see why we can’t try again.”

She was already regretting letting him speak. “We can’t try again because I’ve moved on.”

“That guy isn’t good for you. We’ve already been over this.”

“He’s a lot better than you are.” She was sick of Mason coming around to harass her. Maybe she really did need to go through with the fake relationship with Jackson, after all.

“You need to stay away from him,” Mason said.

“What?” she sputtered. “And why would I do something like that?”

“Because you’ll regret it if you don’t.”

“No,” Sully spat. “You don’t get to threaten me. That’s not how this works.” That was it. “Jackson and I are together, and there’s nothing you can do about it. If you come here again, I’m calling the police to escort you out. Now, for the last time, get out.”

Mason’s eyes flashed at her. “This won’t be the last you’ve heard from me. I won’t give up on us.” He turned and left.

“Is it safe to come out?” Ella said from the doorway to the back.

“You heard that?” Sully turned to the girls, who were staring at her with wide, frightened eyes.

“That guy was intense. Please tell me you got rid of him for good. He can’t just get away with acting like that,” Kenzie said, bringing out the cups to restock the drink station.

Ella started sweeping the floor behind the counter. “I’m scared to come to work now.”

Guilt tore through Sully. “Keep sweeping. I’ll be right back.” She went to her office and picked up her phone and dialed Jackson.

“Hey, what’s going on?”

“Mason just showed up at the ice cream shop.”

“Are you serious? I’m coming over right now.”

“I want to go through with the fake romance. I can’t take this anymore.”

“Good. I’m glad you’ve changed your mind. I’ll be there in five minutes. I was just grabbing a burger at the fast-food place down the street.”

“Great. See you soon.” She walked back out to the front of the store. Her feet were sticking to the floor, and it made a sound as she walked across it. “I think we need to mop this place. Can you handle that, Ella?”

“Sure. I just finished sweeping.” Ella went back to the janitor’s closet where they had a faucet set up to fill up the mop bucket.

Sully got busy in her office, filling out inventory reports. After a few minutes, Kenzie popped her head in the office. “Mr. Carr is here to see you.”

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