I opened my mouth to answer but Madison cut me off. “I saw her put something in the back of your computer. Look for yourself.”
“I was wiping some dust from the port, that was it. I certainly didn’t put anything in your computer,” I remarked, sounding offended by the accusation.
Mason checked his computer and, finding nothing, let out a noisy sigh. “Madison, seriously, I know you hate me, but leave my girlfriend out of it.”
“I saw her,” she huffed.
“Madison, please.” Mason grimaced. Even if I hadn’t known their history, my girlfriend radar would have been going off at the tension that radiated between them. I felt jealousy uncoil in all its nasty glory.
I stood up, standing purposefully close to Mason, claiming my territory.
A move that clearly said,Mine.
“Madison was only trying to be helpful, weren’t you?” I addressed the other woman, who looked as if she had been sucking on a lemon. I slipped my arm around Mason’s waist, angling my body close to his. I pressed a hand to his chest, staking my claim.
Madison’s eyes flickered between Mason and me, reading the vibe I was tossing her way. She understood the silent female code forBack the fuck off.
“Forget I said anything,” she spat out, storming off in a blaze of irritation.
“Sorry about that,” Mason apologized, taking my hand briefly before dropping it and pulling away from my hold. Clearly PDAs were a no-no at the FBI.
“I’m assuming that was an ex.” I grabbed my purse and waited for Mason to put on his coat.
“Not an ex. Well, not exactly. There’s nothing really to tell.” He waved goodbye to several people as we made our way to the elevator.
“If there was nothing to tell, then why are you acting like there is?” I asked, following him into the empty elevator. I sounded bitchy. I couldn’t help it. I remembered watching the two of them go into her apartment building, hands all over each other. The memory of his mouth on Madison’s made me want to puke.
Mason took my hand now that we were alone and kissed it. “You’re jealous,” he deduced with a grin.
I rolled my eyes. “No I’m not.”
Mason tugged me closer, our chests pressing against each other. He kissed the tip of my nose. “Yes you are.”
I shrugged but smiled. “Okay, maybe a little.”
Mason leaned down, his lips so close they brushed against mine when he spoke. “That’s really hot, Hannah.”
I chuckled and pushed him back playfully. “You’re such a guy.”
He put his arm around my shoulders. I let myself fold into his side, enjoying the feel of him. “I’myourguy,” he murmured in my ear.
I thought about the thumb drive in my purse.
I was a horrible, horrible person.
—
We drove first to a pizza place downtown and ordered two pies. One cheese—Charlotte’s favorite—and one meat lover’s supreme for Mason and me.
“Will Charlotte be able to eat this?” Mason asked. “Will the nurses allow it?”
“It’ll be fine. We can bring her treats now and then. She’ll be so excited to have pizza.” I was still unsure if bringing Mason to see Charlotte was a good idea. But it was too late to back out now.
“You said she was in a car accident with your dad?” Mason took the pizzas and carried them out to the parking lot. I unlocked the doors and we got in. Mason set the boxes on his lap, the smell of pizza filling my car.
Do I tell him? Do I lie? How much truth do I give him?
Why not try most of it?
