“Okay, Jude.”
Smoothing his hair, Jude waited by the door. The moment the bell rang, Jude opened it, expecting the delivery man to hand him the bag, but it wasn’t their dinner. A tall man with silvery hair and piercing gray eyes gave him a slight smile.
“Jude Staubman?” The British accent sounded somewhat familiar.
“Yes? Who’re you?”
“I’m Warren Colchester. Might Mason be here?”
From behind him, Jude heard Mason call out, “Warren?” Footsteps pounded behind him, and Mason’s shoulder knocked into his as he shot past him to throw his arms around Colchester. “Oh, my God. I can’t believe it’s you. What’re you doing here? You swore you’d never come to the States.”
White teeth flashed in his very tanned face. “Hello, love. When I spoke to Staubman and he told me what Whittaker’s former assistant did to you, I wanted to make sure you were okay. And I missed you.”
Not entirely pleased with the fact that Colchester had called Mason “love,” Jude opened the door with the faintest upturn of lips. “Why don’t you come inside and sit down. We can talk.”
Mason extricated himself from Colchester’s embrace. “Yeah, come on in.”
Walking behind the two of them, Jude had a sinking feeling he wasn’t going to like whatever Colchester had to say.
When they took their seats on the couch, Jude watched Colchester slide into the spot next to Mason, whose friendly chatter filled the silence.
“I can’t believe you came all the way here to see me.”
“Yes, I can’t either,” Jude said, sharp enough to draw a stare and frown from Mason. “When we spoke, I thought I assured you everything was fine with Mason.”
“One way I’ve succeeded in business is to never take anyone else’s word for a situation when I can see what is happening for myself.” He squeezed Mason’s arm and gazed directly into his face. “Plus, I have a proposition for you.”
“Me? What?”
Colchester directed a quick glance at Jude before focusing on Mason. “Come back to work for me.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“What?” Mason repeated stupidly, although he’d heard Warren’s words clearly. “Work for you? You’re kidding, right?”
“Do I sound like I’m kidding? Have you ever known me to joke where business is concerned?”
Hmm.The man had a point. Warren Colchester didn’t throw words around lightly, but Mason had no idea how to respond without offending him. Warren had left his yacht, something he’d sworn to never do, to come around the world simply to check on him. Mason might not love him, but Warren would always be an important part of his life, and Jude would have to understand.
“No.” Checking on Jude, Mason hated that cold, blank expression that had settled over his face. He’d thrown up that damn shield, as if expecting to be disappointed. “You know I wanted to come home to be with my family. And you couldn’t know this, but Doug’s hurt, and I can’t leave him now.” He sketched out the facts of the accident.
Warren’s face was etched with concern. “Do you need my help? I can send a plane to fly them home, with a private nurse on board.”
“Wow…you don’t have to go to all that trouble.”
“It’s nothing. Consider it done. Give me the information, and I’ll have it taken care of when it becomes relevant. Now about the job. I’m moving back to London for a year. Come with me when I leave the US. I have a house for you and a job waiting.” His smile was tender. “I can introduce you to so many people in London. The world will be your oyster.”
The buzzer rang, and Jude stood abruptly. “That must be the sushi.” He waited by the door, and after retrieving the bag from the delivery person, set it unopened on the kitchen island. “Excuse me for a moment, please.” Without another word, he took off for the bedroom and closed the door behind him.
Quashing his instinct to run after Jude, Mason hugged himself around the waist to keep still. “I can’t believe you’re going to live in London. You swore you’d never go home. And I guess seeing you here in New York is another shock.”
“Do you think he bought it?”
Warren’s twinkling eyes brought a smile to Mason’s face and settled the nerves bubbling in his stomach. While he had no intention of leaving Jude and New York, he didn’t want to upset Warren by refusing him. Knowing that the whole thing was a ruse made it funnier.
“Oh my God, you’re evil.” He fell onto the couch, gasping. “Oh, hell yeah. Did you see the way he stormed off?” Mason’s laughter faded. “But I shouldn’t let him sit too long thinking I’m actually considering leaving with you.”
“He’ll be fine, and you’re worth waiting for.” Warren grew serious. “It doesn’t have to be a joke. Not if you’re interested. I’d love to have you back. I’ve missed you. Terribly.”
