Page 13 of Mr. Almost

MASON

I rub the back of my neck as I stare at Olivia’s retreating form.

What. The. Fuck?

The Olivia I knew four years ago isn’t the same one I just met. The Olivia I knew then was quick to smile, flirt, and touch. The way she blossomed under me haunts my dreams. Today, though, she flinched from my touch. Her eyes were full of animosity and disgust, and I wish I knew why.

Did I do something wrong back then?

Did I hurt her?

Did I read the signals wrong?

No. I chase the thought away as soon as it crosses my mind. She was into it, and she said yes. Everything about that date was perfect, with the exception of waking up alone.

It was a learning experience, though. I found out how it feels to be skipped out on the morning after. There was one other thing I took away from our night. Everything about Olivia was real. She didn’t care about who I was or how much money was in my bank account. She simply liked me for me. There were no false pretenses with her, and I loved it.

I got high from it.

After that night, though, I looked at women differently. I always knew the women my mother introduced me to were vipers, but I just rolled with it. I played my part. After that Christmas party, though, I couldn’t. I didn’t want to entertain someone who was fake when I could be with someone real.

I need to fix this. Whatever it is.

Olivia’s lived rent-free in my head for years, the one I’ve compared every woman to, and I know that’s not going to change.

I just need to convince her to give me a chance.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Eli asks as he comes to a stop next to me.

“Just thinking, sorry,” I say, shaking my head. “What’s up?”

“Do you want to go grab a bite to eat in the restaurant and talk about all of this?” he says, looking around the place.

“Sounds good.”

We fall into step next to each other and leave the employees only area. Halfway through the lobby, I hear it and bite back my groan.

“What are you doing here?” my mother sneers.

“I work here, ma’am,” Olivia says softly.

Her eyes are wide, and she looks like a cornered animal.

“Shit,” I mutter under my breath as I rush toward them.

“Since when?” my mother demands. She turns toward me as I approach and points at Olivia. “What is she doing here?”

“I believe she told you she works here.” I lean forward and kiss her cheek because it’s expected, not because I want to. “Hello, Mother. What are you doing here?”

She huffs. “I came to visit my sons.”

“I see.”

Mother adjusts her purse. “I need you to call security.”

“Why is that?”

“To escort this thing out,” she says, waving a hand toward Olivia.

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