Page 81 of Mr. Almost

We both take a bite at the same time and groan as the flavors explode on our tongues.

“Okay, I get it now. I can’t wait to see what else he has in store for us,” I mumble as I go in for another bite.

Mason chuckles. “Just wait until we get to the main course. I have to take it out of the oven in about thirty minutes, by the way.”

“That’s not too bad,” I say as I pick up another little treat. “These are so good, I’m afraid I’ll ruin my dinner.”

Mason shrugs. “If you do, so what? We can heat it up later and eat it.”

“You know, you’re much more laid-back than I remember,” I say as I lean back on the pillows.

Mason moves the tray from between us and sets it on the other side of him before scooting in close to me.

He brushes a piece of hair away from my face. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“Good for sure.”

“When we met, I wasn’t in the best place. I had a lot of stress from taking over The Williamson Group. My father had died, and it was like my entire life changed in one go. I was still digging myself out of that hole when we met. I didn’t expect to find you, though,” he admits.

“I don’t think you’ve ever told me about your dad before. What was he like?”

Mason smiles softly. “My dad was the best. He was the peacekeeper between my mother and Max and me. He spent as much time with just Max and me as possible, doing guy stuff.”

My lips twitch. “Guy stuff.”

Mason’s cheeks turn slightly pink. “You know, we played catch, went camping, that sort of thing.”

“It sounds like you miss him.”

“I do. He never went a day without telling us he loved us.” He clears his throat, pushing down his emotions.

“That’s sweet. Is your mother the reason you used the app that night?” I ask.

“She is. She wanted to set me up with one of the women in her circle. I had been burned so many times by those women by that point that I was desperate. I knew the only way to get out of having to be polite to any of them for the whole night was to bring my own date. Can I ask you something?”

“Of course,” I tell him, thinking over what he just said.

It seems like his mom has always had some sort of control over his life. He has let her dictate his actions without fighting back. What if he decides he wants her back in his life? He says he’s done with her now, but what if she comes back in a year or two and wants her boy back? Will I be able to forgive her, or will I make him choose betweenus? What if he chooses her? I mean, it’s his mother. Can I handle that? I don’t want the woman anywhere near my daughter, though. She has already shown me that she’s evil. My daughter doesn’t need that in her life. I draw the line at toxic people.

I’m so far in my thoughts that his question catches me off guard.

“Why did you ghost me that night?”

I look up into his eyes and see a vulnerable man.

“I didn’t think you’d want me there. It was a one-night stand. It was such an amazing night that I didn’t want to tarnish it with you trying to figure out a way to ask me to go, so I just went.”

He frowns. “I wanted to get your number and see you again. You were the first woman in a long time that had made me feel anything at all. I have been chasing that high since that night.”

I can feel tears prick my eyes. If only I had stayed. Our lives would be so different.

“Mason, you are a larger-than-life man. I could tell not only by your clothing but by the way you hold yourself that you come from money. Chloe wasn’t joking when she made that comment about roaches. I’ve lived in roach-infested places before. I get food stamps to help support Ari and I. We are on state-funded health insurance. I was afraid if I stayed that you would see how poor I was and do one of two things. Either swoop in and try to fix everything for me or be disgusted by me. Neither was an option I was willing to risk.”

He nods. “I get it. There are several tax brackets separating us, but money shouldn’t matter. I would give it all up right now and move into your little apartment just to be with you and Ari.”

This is why I’m falling for him. I know without a doubt that he would do it. He would leave his lavish lifestyle to be poor with me. The thought touches me, but I would never ask him to. I know how much he loves the legacy his father left him. How much all of the businesses mean to him. He would grow to resent me, whether he likes it or not.

“I wouldn’t want that. I know you want us to move in with you, and I know your money can solve a majority of my issues, but that’sjust not me. I don’t want to feel like I’m taking handouts. It’s hard enough taking it from the government. I won’t take it from the man I’m dating. You’re just going to have to be patient and let me come to terms with all of this on my own. I will get there one day. I promise.”

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