“I’m guessing she’s not?”
“Nope. This year she’s in France with her new boyfriend. A guy she’s known for less than a month. I’m not sure why this year was the last straw for me. But I lost a little of my light.”
“I’m sorry, Jenna. I—”
“Don’t be. I didn’t tell you so you’d feel sorry for me. I’m fine. And that’s notfinein the way people say it to make you feel bad. I’m more than fine. I’mgood. Because of you.”
“I didn’t do anything special. Just invited you along for the ride. Literally.” He smiles at his joke and I suppress a grin.
“Still, I’m grateful.”And I know you’re lying. Me coming along is more special than you’d care to admit.
“I can’t help but notice that our family members have something in common.” He raises an eyebrow and I laugh.
“Selfishness and a complete lack of responsibility?”
“You got it.”
“Sucks to be us.” My laughter increases, but it slaps me in the face, giving me a reality check. Other than telling Blair and Hayley about my mom before I left for Australia, I've never shared this part of myself. Not even to Jack.
“I don’t know.” Mason’s eyes blaze as he stares into my soul, once again stripping me bare. “It doesn’t suck to be me right now.” The rasp of his voice makes me subtly quiver, and I swallow back my emotion.
“It shouldn’t. This is incredible.” I wave my hands around the truck, pretending I don’t know he’s not talking about the toy run. “How’d you get into this anyway?” I ask, changing the subject, putting him in the line of fire to shift away from my vulnerability.
Of course, he sees through my veiled attempt. “Come on.” His lips curve in a mischievous smile. “You already know the answer to that.”
“I do?”
His gaze locks on mine, sharp and assessing, pulling the answer right out of my mouth. “Okay, fine. Kai told me.”
He nods, his expression turning serious. “What else did he tell you?”
“Nothing,” I lie. I’d much rather hear him tell me about his life than have a half-answered conversation about it.
“Okay. Good.”
“Why now?” I ask curiously, wondering if he brought me because he wanted to help or if there’s more to it.
He frowns, and as if he’s unable to hide anything from me, I see the moment he decides to be honest. “It felt right. With you.”
“Why is that? And why do I feel it too?”
“I wish I knew. But—”
“Don’t say it. Don’t ruin the moment.”
“What was I going to say?”
“That I’m Jack’s?”
“Fuck, no. I was going to say I’m happy you came.”
“Oh. Sorry. Guess I ruined the moment.”
“Not possible.”
Kai calls out as he throws a huge bag over the side of the truck, and Mason rushes forward, dodging bags, catching it before it hits the other presents. “Shit. Sorry.” He cringes as he peers over the edge. “Kai’s running out of space.”
I follow his gaze to find Kai surrounded by bags, collecting them at his feet instead of interrupting our talk, and I smile in thanks.
