“Why?”
“Because you would’ve shut it down the second it looked casual,” Gabriel says evenly. “You know that. I’ve liked her for a while. I just never thought the timing was right. I’m a divorced guy with a kid. She’s your sister. That’s not something you test-drive. And I wasn’t willing to sneak around or do it halfway.”
The room goes still.
I didn’t know he was going to say that.
Mason stares at him.
“That’s either the most mature thing I’ve heard in a month,” Mason says slowly, “or the dumbest.”
“Probably both,” Gabriel answers.
I laugh before I can stop myself.
Mason looks between us.
“Jesus,” he mutters. “You’re actually serious.”
“Yes,” I say again.
He stands.
He walks up to Gabriel.
They’re close now.
Mason extends his hand.
“This isn’t approval,” he says.
Gabriel takes it.
“I didn’t ask for approval.”
“Good,” Mason says. “Because you’re not getting it yet.”
They shake.
It’s firm.
Not hostile.
Not friendly.
A warning disguised as civility.
Mason pulls me into a hug next.
“You scare me,” he murmurs.
“I know.”
“You always do things big.”
I smile against his shoulder.
“I’m not doing this small.”
