Page 140 of City of Sin (Men of Manhattan 1)

I laughed. "No. You didn't. Mason?"

"Yeah?"

"What did your dad say about the fight you had? About wanting to take over his business?"

"You were right. They're proud of me."

The way he said it sounded strange. Like he didn't really believe it. "Is that what they said?"

"Yeah. It was weird. I've spent so many years resenting them. I've been such an idiot. My dad just wanted what was best for me. He thought that was taking over the family business. He didn't know about all my dreams. Because I didn't tell them. I shut them out."

"They didn't know you wanted to start an advertising agency?"

"No. They knew I wanted to work in advertising." He laughed and shook his head. "My dad said I had turned out just like him after all. And he was excited to have another entrepreneur in the family. I didn't think that would be their reaction."

"Why did they cut you off then?"

"They wanted me to come back. Or maybe they just disapproved of my lifestyle. A combination maybe? It was just a misunderstanding. They were really excited to hear about you too. Almost as excited about hearing about the new company."

"Did you tell them about splitting it with me?"

"Splitting it? Who said anything about splitting it?"

"Oh. Sorry. I didn't mean..."

"I'm just kidding. Of course we're splitting it. And I didn't tell them about that. I'll let them meet you first. They'll get it." He smiled down at me.

"You don't have to do it, you know. You could just give me a normal position at the company. With Kendra or something. I don't need to share the business with you. I just want you. I don't want all that."

"I want to do it with you." He squeezed my shoulder. "Besides, I was getting really excited about the idea of sharing an office with you."

"It's too much, Mason."

"It's not like I'm going to let you skate by. You'll have to do half the work. I'm good with my decision. It's what I want. But if it's not what you want, we can talk about it."

"I won't be holding you back?"

"You won't be holding me back."

I smiled and looked up at the snowflakes falling down on us. The sky had an orangey glow to it. "You named your new company after me."

"I find you kind of inspiring, Bee. Now, there's one more part to the night. We can count snowflakes on our tongues on the way to the taxi."

I laughed and stood up. He remembered what I always did with my mom in the snow.

***

"Do I have to keep wearing this?"

"Yes," Mason said as he grabbed my hand, pulling me out of the taxi.

"I can't see anything."

"That's kind of the point, baby." He lightly grazed the side of my cheek with his lips. He had undone his tie and blindfolded me with it in the car.

"If this involves jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge into freezing cold water, I'm not sure I want to be an official New Yorker."

"Nothing that crazy, I promise."

---