Page 53 of Take Me
“We both agree that was a mistake, right?”I’ve asked the hard question already, so I may as well put it all out there.“That fucking up our friendship would be totally, utterly?—”
“Stupid.”
“Ridiculous.”
“Dumber than dirt.”
“Crazier than a soup sandwich.”Glad we got that out of the way.I twist the cap back onto my bottle and set it in the cupholder.“Knock knock.”
Mason’s broad shoulders relax in the corner of my eye.“Who’s there?”
“Norma Lee.”
“Norma Lee who?”
“Norma Lee, I’m not all that into weddings, but I thought that one was really cool.”
“It was, wasn’t it?”He grins and hits his turn signal to head out on the highway.“Their first dance was badass.”
“Right?”Laughing, I ease back into my seat.“I hope the next weddings are that much fun.”
“You’re game to keep this going?”His tone shifts a little, more serious now.“If you’re uncomfortable at all?—”
“I’m not.”Is he?I did kinda use the man’s mouth as a sex toy.“Areyouuncomfortable?”
“Nope.”He makes a face.“Guess the next wedding’s gonna be a whole lot weirder.”
“Guess so.”
“It’ll be strange having Annabelle there.”
“Oh.”Of course that’s what he meant.“I almost forgot she’ll be there.”She’s friends with Lucy, so of course she’s on the guest list.Lucy and I talked about it, didn’t we?That seems like a long time ago.
“Pretty sure Jake and Cass invited her to their wedding, too.”
“Oh?”
He shrugs.“She’s looked after Orfy since he was a pup, plus I think she and Cass are friendly.”
“Right.”I forgot the town vet would know everyone with a dog.“Are you going to be okay having her there?”
“Sure.”He shrugs, but it’s limp, and I don’t miss the flash in his eyes.“I’ll be fine.”
That wasn’t the confident answer I’d hoped for.“Do you still have feelings for her?”
He’s silent a moment, and I catch myself holding my breath.“Part of me will always care for her.She’s a great person, you know?”
“Yeah.I get it.”There’s a weird little twist in my belly, but I swallow it back and offer a smile.“I feel the same way about Neil.”
“Yeah?”
“Sure.We were together a long time.You don’t just forget a ten-year relationship overnight.”
“That tracks.”He doesn’t say anything for a while.Just when I think I should tell another knock-knock joke, he breaks the silence.“Guess it’s a good thing you and I aren’t dating for real, huh?”
“For sure.”I answer automatically, though I’m not sure why he said it.
“We’ve both got way too much baggage we’re lugging around.”
