Page 82 of Sapphire Spring

This should be interesting,Mason thought.

Naser knew something was wrong whenhe saw the front door was unlocked. Then he saw Connor and Logan standing inMason’s kitchen, and he thought the problem was in his head and that it was amassive stroke.

Had the stress of rushing through traffic to Mason’s housebrought it on?

He’d picked up a ton of food from Hatam, his favorite Persianrestaurant in Orange County when it came to takeout, and he’d been desperate toget there before any of it got cold.

“Smells good,” Logan said.

“What’s happening right now?” Naser asked.

Mason gave him a wide-eyed grin and waggled his eyebrows as ifto say he knew and didn’t know but thought it would be exciting either way.

Connor stepped forward. “Since my best friend has suddenlydecided to start keeping secrets from me, I decided he deserved a surprise ofhis own.”

He was about to set the bags down when Mason stepped forwardand carefully removed them from his arms. “Is thismysurprise?” Masonasked gleefully.

“Yes, but Connor ruined it. Because he ruins everything.”

“We’re not staying. Don’t worry,” Connor said.

Naser glared at him. “I wasn’t. Other room, please.”

Logan pointed to his own chest. “Both of us?”

Naser turned his glare on Logan. “I’m going to assume youwere just along for the ride?”

Logan nodded emphatically.

Mason set the bags onto the kitchen’s island and took a bigwhiff of one that left him smiling like a delighted eight-year-old. “Is thisPersian food?”

Naser smiled and nodded. “It is.” He dropped his smile andpointed an accusing finger at Connor. “Other room, now.”

Connor threw up his hands. “Whatother room? It’s anopen floor plan!”

Mason gave Connor a pat on the upper back. “I think he’stalking about the half bath just inside the front door.”

“I am.” Naser pointed to it with an arm so stiff he couldhave balanced plates on it.

“Should I serve this?” Mason asked, lifting one of thecontainers of food from the bag.

“No!There is enough there for two people and twopeople only. Connor. Bathroom. Now.”

Connor huffed and followed Naser a few paces to the tinybathroom in question. Once they were sandwiched like sardines between a frostedgreen glass sink and a toilet that looked like an ivory box, Naser pulled thedoor shut and whirled.

“Have you lost your mind? This is boundaryless and crazy.”

Connor raised a warning finger. “This is what happens whenyou lie to your best friend.”

“You followed me to lunch?”

“Of course, I did. I could tell you were lying through yourteeth, and then I realized it must have something to do with the party, so Iwent back and reviewed the footage, and I pulled the release from his cannonballinto the pool incident, and there was his name in black and white. MasonFriggin’Worther? Seriously?Nas, come on. Some of the stories you tell about what youwent through in high school still make me cry. You had it way worse than I everdid. Partly because ofhim.And now you’re hooking up with him andbringing him Persian food.”

“I’m sorry I lied to you.”

Connor dropped his voice. “Is Mason Bleachers Guy?”

Bleachers Guy. How was it possible he’d come upwith such an innocuous nickname for someone who’d hurt him so badly?

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