Page 16 of Mason

“I know. The library has been my second home all week. I don’t think I’ve written so many papers in my whole college career.”

“Don’t get me started on papers. I think it’s a fun form of torture for the professors.” Cara rolled over on her stomach and sighed. “I could sleep right here, right now.”

“Don’t you have class soon?” Jo suppressed a laugh at the look of devastation on her friend’s face.

“Don’t remind me. I just want a five-minute nap.”

“No. If you do that, I’ll never wake you back up, and then you’ll blame me for missing class. I will not be part of your denial anymore.”

“You’re no fun.” Cara swung herself up. “You had breakfast yet?”

“Pop-Tarts and OJ.”

“Mason cook for you?”

“How’d you guess?” Jo shook her head and grabbed her shower tote. She needed to rinse all the germs off her. Working at the hospital was always a risk when kids puked right in front of her. No way was she going to be doing the same tomorrow if she could help it.

“You would have made eggs and toast to feed him.”

It was true. She’d rather he eat a good breakfast than junk food, but options were limited this morning.

“I’m going to shower. Oh, wait. I meant to ask—do you know if any of the frat houses are pranking us?”

“Not that I know of. Why?”

“I got this box dropped off at work with a creepy note inside. I think it’s a prank, but Mason’s gone into over-protective mode.”

“That man is so sweet.” Cara’s eyes lit up like a starry night. “I wish I had someone like him. Matt hardly even notices when I’m upset. I have to threaten to withhold sex before he realizes I’m serious.”

Jo sighed. She and Mason had been together for months, and they still hadn’t had sex. At first it was because she’d still been in physical therapy when they got together, but now? Her leg was healed, and she’d had her last PT appointment right before Christmas. Now it was more about her being self-conscious about her very scarred leg. It was the un-sexiest thing she’d ever seen. How would Mason look at it? Would all her scars kill the mood? She was afraid to find out. The few times he’d tried, she’d shut him down hard, and Mason, being the great guy he was, let it go and didn’t push.

“What’s that look for?” Cara asked, and Jo grimaced.

“Nothing.”

“Uh uh. I know you well enough to know when something’s wrong. Spill, girl.”

Jo debated. She and Cara were really good friends, but she hesitated. Maybe because she didn’t want to admit to her own failings.

“Come on, you can tell me.”

“It’s just…” Jo let out a breath and sank down on her desk chair. “Mason and I…we haven’t…we…”

“You haven’t what?”

“Had sex, okay?” Jo rushed out. Cara’s mouth opened and closed again. Shocked was not the word for this.

“Seriously?” she finally managed to get out. “How is that possible? You guys have been tighter than Kim Kardashian’s pants since your accident.”

“It’s me.” Misery swelled up, and Jo tilted her head back to stare at the ceiling. “How can I expect him to think I’m sexy when my leg is all mangled?”

“Do you think he cares about that?” Cara got up and came over to lean against the desk. “That man worships the ground you walk on. Are you forgetting he’s seen your leg, seen the scars? I guarantee you, that doesn’t matter to him.”

“How can you be so sure?” Every time Jo thought about taking her pants off around Mason, she all but hyperventilated.

“Because he loves you.” Cara reached behind her and pointed to the photo Jo had stuck to the mirror of her and Mason. “See how he’s looking at you? Like you’re the only thing in the world that matters to him. I know you get frustrated with his asshattery when it comes to some things, but you and I both know he does it because he loves you.”

“Like refusing to let me take a cab?”

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