Page 36 of Christmas With The Broken Mountain Man
I bite back a laugh at her description, and Mason's lips quirk up despite his obvious attempt to maintain his scowl.
"Happiness truck?" he repeats.
"Grinning like an idiot. Being social. Dancing willingly." She ticks these off on her fingers. "Tom said you actually laughed at Darlene's Diner yesterday. A real laugh, not that sarcastic huff thing you normally do."
I glance up at Mason, who's fighting a smile now. "She's not wrong about the laugh," I tell him.
He shakes his head, but the tension has drained from his posture. "Fine. You were right, I was wrong. Is that what you want to hear, Kelsie?"
"It's a start." She grins, then her expression softens. "But what I really want is for my brother to be happy. And despite your best efforts to be miserable forever, you look happy, Mase."
Something shifts in Mason's expression—a vulnerability I've rarely seen. "I am," he admits quietly, his eyes meeting mine briefly. "Happier than I thought possible."
Kelsie's eyes suddenly shine with unshed tears, but she blinks them away quickly. "Well then," she says briskly, "I believe the traditional response would be to introduce me properly to the woman responsible for this miracle."
Mason rolls his eyes but complies. "Kelsie, this is Destiny Brooks, my fiancée. Destiny, this is my pushy little sister Kelsie, who will never let me forget that she was right."
"It's really wonderful to meet you," I say, genuinely meaning it. "Despite the unconventional start, I'm grateful for what you did."
Kelsie's smile is radiant. "I like her already," she tells Mason, then turns back to me. "So when exactly did this transition from 'arrangement of convenience' to the real thing? Mason's been suspiciously light on details."
"I—" I start, but Mason cuts in.
"We're still working things out," he says, his tone making it clear the subject isn't up for further discussion.
Kelsie studies her brother's face, then mine, understanding dawning in her eyes. "Understood. Well, I won't intrude on your evening any longer." She leans in to hug me, whispering in my ear, "Whatever's happening, stick with him. I've never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you."
Her words send warmth spreading through my chest. She pulls back and punches Mason lightly on the arm. "Don't be a stranger, big brother. Sunday dinner at my place this weekend. Both of you."
"We'll see," Mason says, but there's a softness in his voice that suggests he'll be there.
"That's not a no, so I'll take it." Kelsie winks at me. "Use your influence for good, Destiny. He listens to you."
With that, she disappears back into the crowd, leaving us standing in her wake.
"Sorry about that," Mason says after a moment. "Kelsie has always had a flair for the dramatic."
"I like her," I say honestly. "And she's right, you know. You've been avoiding her."
He sighs. "I wasn't ready to deal with her smugness. Or her questions."
"She loves you," I point out. "And she wants you to be happy."
"I know." His expression softens. "And I'll make it up to her. After..." He doesn't finish the sentence, but I understand. After we deal with Greg. After the danger has passed. After we figure out what this thing between us really is.
"Sunday dinner sounds nice," I say, squeezing his hand.
The smile he gives me is worth everything. "Yeah. Maybe it does."
True to his word, Mason stays glued to my side for the remainder of the party. We dance, sample Christmas cookies from the potluck table, and chat with his friends, but there's anew tension underlying our interactions. I find myself scanning the room constantly, jumping at sudden movements, heart racing whenever the door opens.
"Try to relax," Mason murmurs during our last slow dance. "Everyone here knows you're with me. No one will let anything happen to you."
"I know." I force a smile. "I'm being paranoid."
"No, you're being cautious. There's a difference." His hand traces soothing circles on my lower back. "But I meant what I said. You're safe here."
I rest my head against his chest, trying to absorb his confidence, his certainty. "I just want this to be over. To stop looking over my shoulder, waiting for him to appear."
