“Why does he have to look so smug? And why was I the only one who didn’t know? It’s Lucy’s birthday. She is the one who should have been surprised.” I’m moany and ungrateful, but I hate that they didn’t tell me.
“You would have come along if he asked?”
“Probably not, but still.”
“He’s trying to make it up to you; go with it.”
“Things would be so much easier if he didn’t have money.”
Elliot pops a brow at me. “Do you really believe that?”
I shrug, looking towards the girls who are standing at the bar. Lance is making them all cocktails.
“I don’t know. I just wish I didn’t feel like everything is in aid of something. He throws money at anything that doesn’t go his way.”
“Wouldn’t you? If you had enough money, would you not make sure the people around you were safe and secure?”
Is that how Mason sees it? Is that his only goal? Deep down in my gut I know he is a good person.
It’s why I’m still here.
“I suppose it depends who you have to step on to get that security.”
“You have to be ruthless in this game, Pix. You’d be surprised how many people only attach themselves to him for his money. I’ve had it my entire life, my parents, too.” His eyes move from Mason to the bar, and there’s no doubt in my mind that it’s Lucy who has drawn his attention.
She has her head thrown back, laughing freely. Her denim shorts sit high on her hips, and a black bralette scarlessly covers her chest. She looks hot.
“Why pink?” he remarks.
I drop my head back to the seat and laugh lightly. “She’s just trying something new. You don’t like it?”
He draws his head back to look at me. “It’s different.”
“I’m watching you, Montgomery.” I grin.
“Hey, you know nothing is going to happen there.”
“Why not? You’d be like… Barbie and Ken. You’re kinda perfect for each other.”
“Luce is the girl you marry. She’s not the type of girl you pick up on the weekend. I’m too young to get married, and she isn’t my type. At all.”
“Okay! There is so much wrong with what you just said. Firstly.” I hold up one finger. “You’re the same age as Mase, right? When is the right time to settle down?” I release a second finger. “Secondly, what is your type? If that’s not it.” I eye Lucy and her long, tanned legs. “Thirdly.” I snap my fingers, bringing his eyes back to me. Yeah, he likes what he sees. “The type of girl you pick up on the weekend? That wasme,asshole. I was that girl. And because of you and your promise…”
He grins wide. “You’re not like the girls Mason used to pick up. Trust me. I didn’t even remember that promise until I met you.”
“Why did you pick me?” I ask, my fingernails digging into the armrest.
It’s not something I’ve ever thought about before, but now he’s mentioned it, I feel almost desperate to know why.
He starts checking off his fingers like I just had. “Hot. Not a psycho.” He shrugs, and we both laugh.
I don’t know why I expected anything else.
“Move it, Montgomery,” Mason demands, looking down at us curiously.
Elliot gives me a wink as he moves past me and over to the bar, where he throws his arm around Megan. I watch as Lucy’s eyes follow him. “Something is going on with those two.”
“Who?” Mason asks, draping his arm over my shoulder and bringing his lips to rest against my hair.
