“I hope you know I didn’t intend to get involved in the campaign. It’s just that I was in Economy Candy and got some ideas from what I saw, and when I mentioned them to Jude, he said I should tell you.”
His face tightened—only momentarily but enough for Mason to trust his instincts and remain on his guard around Pryce.
“Not a problem, of course.”
“I’ll be there in a sec. Just need to check some messages first.”
Pryce raised a hand in a brief wave and left him.
He sat staring into space, thinking of the craziness of it all. He hoped Doug wouldn’t mock him when he eventually found out he and Jude were together. Doug might’ve wanted Jude to get a life, but was it with Mason?
How the hell was that conversation ever going to go? For all he loved to tease Jude, Mason had grown highly protective of him.
He smiled, recalling Jude’s grumpiness that morning at having to be out of the office and sequestered with the accountants.
“Poor baby. That’s why you get the big bucks. I’ll make it up to you tonight.”
“How about now?”With a lascivious gleam in his eye, Jude had reached for him.“I don’t have to be uptown until ten.”
Mason had let himself be dragged into Jude’s arms for a deep, lingering kiss, then pushed him away and ducked under his arms, laughing as he ran to the door.
“But I have to be at the office by eight since I have an uptight boss who doesn’t like it when people come to work late.”He’d cackled at Jude’s dark scowl.“Hold that”—he’d pointed at Jude’s bulge—“for later. I promise you won’t regret waiting.”
“I’ll make sure of it.”Jude had shot him a look he’d felt down to his toes.
God, he was so head over heels, but he was determined not to say a thing. Silly as it might be, he wanted Jude to say it first. What they had together was different from anything Mason had ever experienced. It didn’t matter that they’d been together only a short time. When you know it’s right, it’s right, and no one was going to rain on his happiness.
Feeling better, Mason checked his texts to see if Doug and Ilana had sent pictures to their group text with Jude. The last photo had been six hours earlier and showed them with their rented motorcycle, Ilana holding Doug around the waist, the portion of her face visible under her helmet bright with excitement.
“You go, girl. Have your fun.” He hoped she and Doug had the time of their lives, but knowing how long they’d waited to get married—to make sure Doug was financially secure and for Ilana to achieve the status of Head Buyer she’d worked so hard for—Mason had little doubt he and Jude would soon be uncles. They made no secret of how anxious they were to start a family.
He turned off the ringer, grabbed his laptop, and went to Pryce’s office.
Three hours later, Mason high-fived Pryce after their call with the client ended.
“Awesome!” Pryce said. “You killed it.”
“We both did.” Mason was always careful not to step on toes. “They loved your idea for repackaging and emphasizing the all-natural ingredients.”
“Yep, and your suggestion to expand to the retro candy business was brilliant. We all know how people love the old-fashioned candy from their youth. And Boomers have money to spend. Win-win. I’ll relax once they sign the contracts and send them over.”
“Teamwork, baby.” Mason gave him a thumbs-up. “And yeah. Let’s hope they do it today. Jude wants it wrapped up since we’ve spent so much time wooing them.”
“Oh?” Pryce’s gaze shot to his. “Has he said anything? He knows how hard it is to get that final deal signed off on.”
“Only that he hopes we aren’t spinning our wheels.”
“And did you tell him we aren’t? That we’re pushing them as hard as we can?”
A bit surprised at Pryce’s outburst, Mason attempted to soothe him. “Yeah, of course. I told him how much the client liked everything you presented and how hard you’ve been going at it.”
Relief washed over Pryce’s taut face. “Thanks. I really want to prove myself to Jude.” He settled into his chair. “Speaking of going at things hard, I think we have a mutual acquaintance.”
Busy saving his notes from the meeting, Mason tilted his head. “We do? Who?”
“Dex Hollister.”
Pryce was watching him intently. The name sounded familiar but he couldn’t place it. “I’m not sure…it must’ve been years ago.”
