Page 124 of Please Save Me

Cameron tossed Juniper over his shoulders like she was an ornery sack of potatoes and shot Mason a thumbs up. My gaze slid to Lucian who was now leaning against the counter, covering his face.

“She’syourkid,” I told him.

My moms always used to tell eachother that when my siblings or I got in trouble as kids. At the time, it seemed like a cop out, but Juniper was one hundred percent of Lucian’s attitude in a third of the size.

Lucian shot me a look.

“I’m Daddy’s kid too!” Jasper chirped.

A snort of Lucian’s laughter was the next sound to follow. Part of me wanted to remind him thatthiswas what he missed by not coming home last night but Mason was right there and I didn’t want to bring up any bad feelings. No need to stress her out when she was literally one wrong sneeze away from having Rosie.

“Lucian, are you okay?” Mason asked, causing Lucian to look up from the counter.

He gave her a tight lipped smile and motioned for her to step closer.

“Just tired,mi corazón.” His voice was hoarse as he pulled Mason in for a hug before greeting her with a quick kiss. “I’m sorry about last night, by the way.”

Mason’s lips quivered for just a beat before she looked away.

“It’s fine.” Her voice was as gentle as a breeze, but I could tell she was lying through her gapped teeth. “I’m not worried about me, I’m worried about you. You don't lookjusttired… plus, you’re never up right now.”

Lucian sighed as he looked at me, his shoulders slumping as he mouthed, “What do I say?”

I shrugged as I smiled. If he could lie about when he was coming home, he could lie about this.

His eyes squeezed shut as he shook his head.

“I woke up because I wasn’t feeling well and Sophia isforcingme to make breakfast.” The words tumbled from his lips, and instantly, I wanted to beat his butt.

Mason’s eyes widened as she looked at me. And, I realized Lucian had lodged me in a proverbial corner. If I told her he was lying, she’d want to know whatactuallyhappened. And, that meant I’d have to tell herjusthow much trouble Lucian was in. But, if I agreed with him, I looked like the bad person.

He’d be lucky if I didn’t make him scrub the bathroom later. On his hands and knees. Maybe even with his toothbrush.

But, for now? “That’s exactly what happened.”

She looked at me not with anger, but pity. “Sophia, I know you can't cook but you could have woken me up.”

If that comment had come from anyone other than Mason, I would have taken it as an insult. But, I knew she was just being sweet.

“You need your rest, Honeybee. Why not go up stairs? I can make Lucian bring you breakfast in bed.”

She glanced back over at Lucian, and hedidlook like death warmed over.

“Lucian, you go lay down,” she ordered. “I can make breakfast.”

“Are you sure? I really want to make up for missing our date yesterday.” His voice was weary, and I knew that little brat was hamming it up.

Oh, he was going to get it later.

“I’m not worried about that.” Mason sighed. “We’ll bring you breakfast in bed too.”

Jasper tugged on the hem of Mason’s shirt and she looked down.

“Can I help too?” he asked.

Mason looked down at Jasper with a look so loving that it could have only come from a mother. She placed a hand on his head and ruffled his shaggy, dark curls. “Of course. You’re the best helper.”

Jasper’s little face lit up as he tugged Mason toward the stove. The carton of eggs was on the counter, but Lucian hadn’t gotten much farther than that.

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