“Aw, I love that you’re concerned for my health. Maybe we can cook together. We can get cute matching aprons and everything.”
“You’re missing the point.”
“Yeah?” The elevator stopped, and the door opened. “Which was?”
Frustrated, Jude strode ahead. “I don’t even know anymore. Jesus, you drive me nuts.”
Mason cackled and caught up to him easily, planting himself in Jude’s way, forcing him to halt his forward progress. “You love it.” He stuck his shining face into Jude’s.
“Yeah. I do.” His lips twitched. “Guilty as charged. I talked to Ilana earlier.”
Mason’s brows shot up, and he paled. “Everything okay? You’re not keeping anything from me, right?”
Because of the years Mason spent across the world, sometimes Jude forgot how close the brothers were, but the distance didn’t keep them apart emotionally.
“No, no. Ilana’s going to find out about bringing him home.”
“I hope it’s soon. As long as he’s getting better.”
The smile on Mason’s face swept away Jude’s fatigue and worry. He opened Edith’s door to Foxy yapping. She ran right to Mason and danced on her hind legs.
“She loves me,” he said with a smug smile and put the bags down to pet her.
“Good. Then you can clean up her poop when we take her out.” Jude snickered and walked into the kitchen to rid himself of his bags.
“Hello, you two. How’re my favorite lovebirds?” Dressed in an electric-blue caftan with sparkling beads at her throat and matching bracelets, Edith held on to her walker.
“Foxy and I are just friends,” Mason teased, and the dog, hearing her name, let out a sharp bark. “Sorry, girl. My heart belongs to another.”
Edith blinked. “Good. So you two worked everything out?”
With Edith’s dinner on a plate in hand, Jude returned to the foyer. “Everything’s good. How about we let Edith start eating, and then we’ll take the dog out. It’s book club tonight, right?”
Her eyes brimming with amusement, Edith followed him into the dining area. “Oh yes, and the girls are dying to meet Mason.”
“How do they know who he is?Eeeedith?” Jude glared at her unrepentant face.
“I told them.” She put up a hand. “Just because you’re so secretive about your life doesn’t mean people aren’t going to be curious.”
“Who are we talking about?” Mason draped himself over Jude, who didn’t miss the satisfied smirk on Edith’s face. He wondered if he’d ever be as free around people with affection as Mason was. In the meantime, he enjoyed Mason’s chin resting on his shoulder and the feel of Mason’s cheek against his. The silky strands of hair smelled like his shampoo, and Jude’s heart rhythm settled into a more stable beat with Mason so close.
“Just my girlfriends. They were constantly trying to set Jude up, but he always said no.”
“Well, now at least he has a reason.” Mason kissed his neck.
“I always had a reason.Not interestedbeing the main one. Now I have a better one.”
“Excuse me?” Mason huffed and pulled away from him, outrage dancing in his eyes. “Better? I’m not justbetter. I’m the best.”
“You tell ’em, honey.” Edith’s eyes twinkled behind her purple glasses.
“Okay, okay.” Jude patted Mason’s cheek. “The best. Is that better?”
“No. You’ll have to make it up to me.” His lips curved up in a smile of such wicked sensuality, Jude grew dizzy. Mason leaned in. “Easy, now.”
He blinked and rubbed his face. “Let’s take the dog out. Edith, eat your food before it grows cold.” He turned on his heel and strode away to pick up the leash. Still snickering like a fool, Mason followed him.
When they were out on the street, Mason took his hand. “Don’t tell me you’re really mad at me over a little teasing.”
