“You don’t get it, do you?” He finished his coffee and stood. “Come on,” he said to the dog, who remained firmly in Mason’s lap. With a grunt, he took her from Mason and set her on the ground, ignoring her whiny growls. He tossed his cups into the trash and left.
“Oh, I think I do.” Mason scrambled after him, but Jude didn’t slow his stride, his mind working furiously.
Why didn’t she call him? He shouldn’t have to find out their itinerary from Mason, of all people. And motorbikes? They were way too dangerous.
He had to slow down as the little dog couldn’t keep up with him, and that allowed Mason to catch him.
“Jude, come on, why’re you angry?”
“Stop talking.”
“But you’re acting ridiculously.”
He set his jaw and didn’t answer. Mason followed him into the building and to the elevators. Too late, Jude realized the doorman must’ve assumed they were together, and now Mason was inside his building. He smacked the button for the elevator.
“You can leave now. I have nothing else to say.”
“Well, maybe I do.” Mason leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. “Why are you so mad at me?”
“I’m not mad at you. Mason, go home. Please.”
The elevator came, and he entered the cab with the dog. Mason came in after him, which shouldn’t have surprised Jude since Mason never listened to anything anyone told him.
“What are you doing?”
“You’re going to tell me why you’re so angry. I don’t care what you say. You are.”
Jude bit the inside of his cheek to keep from hurling curses at Mason. When the elevator opened, he unclipped Foxy’s leash, and she raced to Edith’s door and sat on the mat.
Jude wondered if he could get away with knocking Mason out and stuffing him into the elevator shaft. Anything to shut him up.
He unlocked the door, and Foxy raced inside. Mason pushed past him and stopped short at the sight of Edith in a flowing printed caftan and a feathered headband, looking like a tropical bird as she leaned on her three-pronged cane. Jude’s heart sank as her eyes lit up.
“Oh, hel-lo. Who do we have here? You go out for a walk and come home with a man?” She cackled. “Jude, sweetheart. He’s adorable, but a little young for me. At least forty, please.”
Mason hooted. “You must be Edith. Ilana’s dress designer.”
Her bright gaze ate Mason up. “And you look familiar. Where have I seen you before? Hmm…you’re gorgeous, and it’s unusual for me to forget a beautiful man.”
“Why, thank you, Edith.” Mason’s very white teeth flashed in his tanned face, and a punch of lust hit Jude in the stomach, rendering him incapable of movement. Mason winked at him. “At least someone appreciates me. I’m Doug’s brother, Mason.”
“That’s right.” She slapped her leg. “Now I remember. The kissing picture.”
Jude’s stomach sank.
Fuck. My. Life.
“Kissing picture?” Mason asked, his gaze swinging between Jude and Edith. “What are you talking about?”
Ignoring Mason, Jude planted a fake-ass smile on his face. “Edith, I really can’t stay. And I know you have the girls over tonight for book club.”
“Not for a while.”
“Did you eat your dinner?” She wouldn’t if he didn’t nag her. “I can fix you something quickly.”
“Eat, exercise.” She glared at him. “I’m fine. God, you’re worse than a warden.”
“Isn’t he, though?” Mason commiserated with her as he hooked her arm through his. “I could tell you stories, Edith. Come. Let’s get some nibbles, and we’ll talk.”
