Without answering, Jude walked down the block with Foxy, waiting for her to do her business, but Mason, having no sense of the need for personal space, dogged his heels, chattering.
“Come on, Jude. This is me. You know I don’t hold back in front of friends.”
Jude sighed, watching Foxy nose around a tree trunk. “I’m just not used to it. I like to keep my private life my own, not a topic of conversation for the dinner table.”
“And I’m the type who shares when he’s happy.” Mason linked arms with him. “I want to be able to show off that we’re a couple.” His golden eyes twinkled like stars. “Can’t you understand how much this means to me? It’s the first time I feel like my parents will finally see I’ve grown up—I have a job I love that I’m good at, plus a steady, solid relationship. This isn’t only about you, you know.” His gaze skittered downward and his shoulders slumped, sending a tug of sympathy twisting in Jude’s chest. “I want you to be proud you’re with me too.”
“I am. And I’m sorry. I’ll try harder.”
Back upstairs, Jude unclipped Foxy’s leash and gave her fresh water, while Mason made lighthearted conversation with Edith as he put her dishes in the dishwasher. The doorbell rang, and Jude cringed but put on a brave face when he opened the door to Edith’s friends.
“Hello, Jude. We haven’t seen you in a while.” Virginia breezed past him.
“Hello, ladies.” Della, Lorna, Evelyn, and Siobhan followed her, leaving him standing at the door.
“Hello, Jude. Edith, where are you?” Della called out.
“In the kitchen with Mason.” They traipsed into the small space and surrounded Mason, who looked overwhelmed.
“Who’s Mason…ohhhh.”
“Uh, hello?”
Laughing to himself, Jude watched Mason sidle away from them while sending him help signals with his eyes.
Sorry. Learn to handle it.
He smirked, and Mason shot him a murderous look that spoke of evil, delicious plans later that evening before turning a charming smile on Edith’s avid friends.
“I’m a friend of Jude’s.”
“A friend or afriend?” Virginia piped up. “Have you finally snagged Jude as your boyfriend?”
He winced, bracing himself. Mason, who knew better than anyone his dislike of having his private life up for public discussion, raised a brow. “Well, I wouldn’t sayIsnaggedhim.…I mean, ladies, buy your man a new pair of sneakers ’cause Jude did some serious running after me.”
Amid their peals of laughter, Mason extracted himself and whispered in his ear, “No way was I letting you get away with throwing me to the pack. Now let’s get out of here.”
“You have a lot to make up for after that last remark,” Jude grumbled.
“Looking forward to it. But it might take all night for me to be really repentant.”
Hand in hand, they waved to the ladies and sped out of the apartment.
They settled on the couch and ordered some sushi for dinner, while Jude scrolled through his emails. When he finished reading, he checked on Mason, only to find the man staring blankly at the wall.
“What’s wrong?”
Mason ducked his head and gave him a watery half smile and a shrug. “I guess I got overwhelmed by everything—us, the thing with Pryce…but most of all, Doug getting so badly hurt. And I thought what it would feel like if I had to do this all alone, and it all hit me hard.”
Jude kissed him softly, then, as always when he touched Mason, with increasing hunger. “You don’t have to worry about that anymore. You’re not alone.”
“Never.” Mason’s mouth opened under his, and Jude tangled his hands in Mason’s hair and pushed him down on the couch. Golden eyes glittered, and his breath came in short, hard pants. “I need you.”
Jude’s heart swelled. Just as he was about to pull off his tie, the buzzer rang. “Shit. Dinner.”
Mason licked his lips. “I can wait. Just get it, and we’ll eat later.”
Jude hit the buzzer, not even waiting for the doorman. “Send them up, Roland.”
