Page 13 of Take Me
The squeeze in my chest doesn’t hurt like it has for the past couple months, so maybe I’m really moving on.
Mason’s phone pings, and he picks it up.Scanning the incoming text, he rolls his eyes.“For fuck’s sake.”He sets down his phone as Harper bounds over with a triumphant grin.
“No cursing, Uncle Mason.It makes me want to dress like a vampire hooker.”
I burst out laughing as Mason grumbles.“Good ears, kid,” I tell her.
Mason slings an arm around his niece in a bone-crushing side hug.“I forgot to add the rest of the story.”
“Which story?”I ask.
“The one about Harper and the strapless red dress.”He ruffles her hair, and she shoots him a smug little smile.“Turns out Harps hereactuallywanted a below-the-knee blue dress with tasteful spaghetti straps.”
“Mom would have said no, since it’s winter,” adds the devious fourteen-year-old genius.“This way, we compromised.”
“I don’t think that word means what you think it does.”Props to Mason for thePrincess Bridequote.
“So I can go to Ryan’s house?”
Mason grumbles some more.“Fine.”
“What did Lucy text you?”I ask.
He hands me his phone, which I know most guys wouldn’t do.But Mason’s not most guys, and the two of us even share our locations with each other.There’s nothing to hide, and it’s handy sometimes when we’re hiking or meeting for drinks.
Scanning the text from his sister, I laugh.
I’m okay with you sending my child to hang with some teenage lothario.
I snicker and read the next text from Lucy.
Ryan is a good kid, unlike my idiot brothers who used to threaten my boyfriends with bodily harm.I am perfectly okay with you sending my child off to hang with a responsible young man who happens to already have a very nice boyfriend of his own and doesn’t need to date his female friends.Unlike SOME people I know.
“Nice,” I say, handing the phone back.“Your sister writes long texts.”
“My sister is a pain in the ass.”He gives Harper another quick side hug.“Be good, kid.”
“I will.”She doesn’t follow her friends, who are already trooping out the door to a waiting minivan.Harper stuffs her hands in her pockets.“Thank you for bringing me, Uncle Mason.I had fun.”
“You’re welcome, kiddo.”
“You’re sure it’s okay if I leave you?”
“Positive.”Mason glances at me.“I’m in good company.”
“I love you, Uncle Mason.”She hugs him again, wrapping her arms around his broad torso.
His expression goes gooey, and my heart melts a little.“Love you, too, Harps.”
“Sorry your girlfriend broke up with you.”
Mason stiffens.“How did you?—?”
“Katie’s aunt’s hairdresser’s cousin is friends with Dr.Hanlon.”Harper draws back with a deep look of sympathy.“Everyone in town knows.”
“Fucking small towns,” Mason mutters as Harper skips off toward the van.
As soon as she’s gone, I push my basket of cheese sticks in front of him.“You can finish these off if you want.”
