Page 22 of Hypnotized By Love

Mason had moved closer to me. “Let’s work it out over chips and salsa.”

So tempting. I crossed my arms. “I said no.”

“I’ve heard saying yes feels better.”

Was he making fun of me and what I’d told him? “Are you mocking me?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re saying what I told you. From our session.”

He frowned slightly. “Honestly, I don’t remember much past you telling me to be quiet and relax.”

Now I was the one frowning. That was concerning. I’d never had a client not be able to remember a session, especially one that had just happened. I needed to do some more research. I wished Camila were reachable. I could have used her guidance.

“I’m not going to dinner with you,” I told him. “Not now, not ever. Never.”

“Never’s a long time, Sinclair.”

We were joined by some other tenants, and Bridget was pushing her way through the crowd.

“What’s going on?” she asked me.

I filled her in on the necessary details, but it didn’t matter, because she was too busy making googly eyes at Mason.

Who seemed to enjoy the attention.

She took a step toward him and rested her hand against his chest. “You poor thing. It must have been so scary.”

If she weren’t one of my closest friends, I would have added her to my List of Enemies at that moment.

“It was,” he said, flirting back. “I probably need some consoling. Did you want to go out with me tonight and talk about it?”

But when he said this? He was looking directly at me.

Like it was a challenge.

Only I didn’t know what game he was playing.

“I’d love to!” she said, and I could hear the triumph in her voice. “What did you have in mind?”

“I was in the mood for Mexican, but now I’m thinking something a little bit more ... exhilarating. Maybe Murphy’s Alligator Emporium and Restaurant.”

My eyes widened in surprise.

“Isn’t that the place where you can feed and pet the alligators?” Bridget asked, and Mason nodded.

None of this was making sense. He was doing the auction, going out with Bridget after he’d told her no, and wanted to pet an alligator?

I put a hand over my stomach. Oh no, I had done this. I was too good at my job. He was saying yes to everything, including stuff he was afraid of.

“You’re going to touch tiny dinosaurs?” I asked him incredulously.

He shrugged one shoulder. “You’re welcome to join us, if you want.”

Bridget nodded too enthusiastically at me. “Yes, Savannah, that would be fun! We could all hang out.”

I did not understand what was happening right now. If she wanted to conquer him, why was she including me in her plans?

---