“I understand. As long as youdowork it out. Because The Company can only give you so much. It’s not a breathing, living entity that’ll care if you’re too sick one day, or you’re missing Mommy and need someone to talk to about it.”
Stricken, Jude didn’t say anything. He couldn’t, not with his heart tripping and his throat so tight, he couldn’t swallow. Mason’s hand crept into his, and he held on tight, head bowed, listening to his little sister.
“We never talk about her, but I’ve been missing her so much here. Since Doug’s accident, I’ve been talking to her in my head and writing my thoughts out in a journal.”
“I-I don’t let myself think about it.”
“I know it still hurts. But you should. You were so close, helping her with everything and being so strong, never complaining, always doing what a good son would. But at night, when the work is done and everyone else goes home, who’s there for you to hold?”
Mason kissed his wet cheeks. “I am. As much as he’ll let me.”
Ilana continued to speak directly to him. “It’s your turn now. Time for you to take your happiness, grab it with both hands and never let go. Don’t let anything stand in your way.”
“I love you so much. You know that, right?”
“Of course I do. But loving me doesn’t mean it has to be to the exclusion of everyone else. Especially yourself. Find what brings you happiness and hold on to it.”
“Or him.” Mason elbowed his side.
“Yes, Mase. Or him. Stick close to him, please?”
“I’m not going anywhere, not unless he kicks me out, and even then, I probably wouldn’t listen to him. Jude may be my boss at The Company, but that’s the only place he gives orders.”
“Can I mention again how much I love the thought of you two together?” Ilana’s laughter lightened the heaviness in Jude’s heart. “I can’t wait for us to come home and hear everything.”
“Oh, noteverything,” Mason said. “You’re way too innocent to know such things.”
“Okay, that’s enough.” Jude grabbed the phone. “Give Doug a kiss from us and call later with any updates, please?”
“Of course I will. Love you both.”
When the call disconnected, Jude sat silent for a few minutes, then asked, “Are you happy?”
Brows scrunched together, Mason gazed at him warily. “Specifics, please. Now? Yesterday? Last Tuesday after you left me unable to walk for an hour?”
“With me. Do you really think I can make you happy?” Jude might’ve never had a relationship, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t aware of what a good one looked like. Doug and Ilana respected each other’s opinions and listened when the other disagreed. Both were strong-willed and opinionated but able to compromise. From the first, they’d connected on a level Jude hadn’t understood.
Until Mason burst into his life with his characteristic carefree spirit and knocked his feet out from under him. He’d forced Jude to see the life he’d yearned for, but denied himself for the sake of his family, was still possible.
“You already have, Jude. Look, the only one more shocked about us than you is me. When you kissed me at the wedding, I encouraged it to go further because you were like the forbidden fruit that had been dangling in front of my face for years, always just out of reach. My secret fantasy. I figured I’d never get the chance again, and I could tease you about it in the future.”
“Wouldn’t that have been fun for me.”
Mason remained serious. “But once we were together, the reality of you blew my fantasy to pieces. You changed me.”
“How? How did this happen? We’re such opposites in so many ways.”
“Not in the ways that count. Loving you isn’t about one single thing. It’s all the little things that make up who you are: your loyalty, strength, and devotion to the people you care about; not to mention, you’re an incredible lover.”
“I wasn’t searching for compliments,” he mumbled, wishing he’d never started this conversation. Figuring everything out was like fumbling in the dark, looking for a light switch to illuminate the way. Only, what he needed wasn’t visible to the naked eye. It was in his heart, and Jude already knew who belonged there.
“I know,” Mason said, leaning in for a kiss. “Another reason why you’re so damn sexy. You don’t expect praise, but I’m happy to give it. Now you know what I’d really like to do?”
Luxuriating in the feel of Mason’s naked body against his, Jude had a pretty good idea. “I know what I’d like.”
“I bet you would, but hold off.” Mason wiggled out of his arms and slid his briefs on. “I want to go to the office.”
“What? Why?” He hadn’t wanted to admit he’d felt all kinds of guilt for being away almost the entire afternoon. Tasha was more than capable of handling the meeting, but Jude had other important work that needed tending, like figuring out what to do with Pryce’s accounts. That loss would sting. Right now, though, nothing was more important than working out their relationship.
