Yeah, he was not coming off well here.He covered his face with his hand, sighing, because when he said it out loud, it really did sound pretty bad.
“I mean, attraction happens,” Asad replied carefully.“You can’t always control who you’re attracted to.It’s happened before, right?So, why was this different?”
“That’s the thing, it hasn’t happened before.Not like this.”It was hard to get the words out for some reason.A relief.But it wasn’t easy saying them.Sharing the truth.“I think it’s because I met her right after Yasmine and I decided to get married.You know the whole idea of ‘cold feet’?I think my brain latched onto an attractive woman because I had decided to make a big life change, and there was a part of me that balked at it.”
“I think cold feet means that you get scared of the change and back away, not that you actively become attracted to someone else out of nowhere.”The amusement was back in Asad’s voice, but also sympathy.There was no judgment, which made it a little easier for Mason to talk about it.
“I’ve just never had an instant attraction to someone like this.Not such a strong one.It was like, I saw her, and…” And it was like getting hit by a lightning bolt.Which was ridiculous.“But when something comes on that fast, it’s not going to last.I don’t want a quick hit of excitement.I want companionship and peace and affection.”
“And what, you think you can’t have all that plus attraction?”
“I mean, it doesn’t last, right?”He was out of his depth because he’d never experienced anything like this.“Take you and Morgan, for example.You knew each other before you got together.You didn’t have an immediate attraction.It’s something that built and developed naturally.”
“I was attracted to her, but I think I get what you’re saying.No, it didn’t hit me like a lightning bolt.But there’s no one path to happiness or attraction.Would you tell someone there’s only one way to do kink?”
Mason scowled, his forehead moving against his fingers.
“No.”
“So, why do you think there’s only one way for lasting attraction to start?”
“What’s her name?”Morgan asked when Mason didn’t reply immediately.
“Audrey.She’s David’s younger sister, which is another reason it wouldn’t work out.I can’t date my team leader and best friend’s little sister.”No matter the chemistry and regardless of what Yasmine thought.
“Uh huh.I don’t think that matters as much as you think it does.”Asad snickered.“Although, maybe don’t spank her in front of him.”
“Thanks for stating the obvious.”Sighing, Mason let his hand drop back down beside him, resting it on his couch.“It doesn’t matter, anyway.Now that I’m not getting married to Yasmine, I’m sure this whole attraction thing is going to go away as quickly as it came.It was a reaction to arranging my marriage, nothing more.”
“Prove it.”
“What?”
“I’m assuming you haven’t seen her yet today.So, go prove it.Go see her and see if the attraction is gone.”Asad’s tone shifted.“Unless you don’t really think it’s changed and you’re avoiding her.”
“I’m avoiding people in general because they’re annoying.”
“You picked up my call.”
“Because you’re somehow even more annoying when I try to avoid you.”
“It is a talent I possess.”Asad smirked.Mason didn’t need to see him to know that his cousin was smirking.“But I’m just saying.Shouldn’t you at least test your hypothesis to see if you’re right?Or are you scared that you aren’t, and that’s why you’re avoiding people today?
“I’m not scared.”Because he was right.There was no reason to be worried about his reaction to Audrey, dream last night aside.They’d told their friends.Now, they’d told their parents as well.Yasmine wasn’t going to change her mind.He had no doubt his dreams would be redhead free tonight.
The fear-of-life-changing fueled attraction no longer needed to exist, and so it would be gone—or at least lessened—and he was sure it would disappear quickly.
“So, you’re going to go see her?”
“Sure.Her bakery is having its grand opening today.It’s only polite to stop by.”
“I’ll be interested to know how it goes.I assume you don’t want me telling my mother any of this to pass on to your mother?”
“Please.”His voice was pained at the thought.That was the absolute last thing he needed.
Asad snickered.
“I’m going now.”
