I nod back. I can handle his son.
Mason runs a hand through his brown messy hair. “Look, Sera, if I’d known your nan was gonna pass away that same week, I wouldn’t have broken up with you.”
I fold my arms over my chest. “So you would have stayed with me out of pity? That’s even worse, Mason.”
“I’m sorry. I just don’t know what you want from me.”
“I don’t want anything from you.”You want his dad.I push the thought away as quickly as it came. “Believe it or not, Mason, the world doesn’t revolve around you. Ember and Flint invited me for Thanksgiving because—” I don’t say the rest of my sentence. Because I have no family. No friends and nowhere else to go. “Because Ember wanted help with the dinner.” I lie. I didn’t even turn up until it was all cooked. All I did was serve a few vegetables.
“So you don’t want to get back with me?” He glares at me as if challenging me. He’s so arrogant he probably won’t believe me when I say no.
“I’m seeing someone, actually.” I stick my chin out, lifting my head high.
“Oh yeah? Who?” He looks even more confused than he did before, as if that’s even less believable. Like, who would want to date me?
“He’s older. You won’t know him.”
“So why aren’t you spending Thanksgiving with him?”
“What’s with all the questions? Are you sure you don’t still have feelings for me? You’re acting like a jealous ex.”
“Of course not. Just want to look out for you, that’s all.”
Yeah right.“Well, you don’t need to bother.” Your dad does enough of that for the both of us.
“I’d best get back inside.” He nods to the window where Flint is still watching us, his fists digging into his hips. “Dad’ll be out here with a bag of condoms soon.”
A giggle bursts from me. “I’m surprised he hasn’t mailed you some, with all the girls on your reels.”
“You been stalking my IG?”
“Only to remind myself what a lucky escape I had.” My lips curve in the corner. “Bye, Mason.” I walk to the road where I parked my car at the curb, my eyes seeking out Flint’s through the window.
I unlock the car and glance back one last time. Flint’s still at the window, arms folded across that broad chest like he’s holding himself back.
I give him a small wave before climbing in. It’s stupid, but my throat tightens anyway.
I came here for dinner, not drama.
But it turns out when you play with Sparks, you end up getting burned.
Chapter Two
FLINT
The front door opens again, bringing with it a gust of cold air and the faint smell of Sera’s perfume. Silence settles heavier than smoke as Mason walks into the dining room.
Ember clears Sera’s plate, shaking her head. Drake mutters something about “poor kid.” But I just stand there, jaw tight, staring out the window as her old car blows fumes from the exhaust.
“What’s for dessert?” Mason says, without a care in the world.
“What the hell was that?” I snap, turning around to face him.
Mason shrugs out of his jacket, the same lazy grin he’s had since he turned into a teenager. “You tell me. Didn’t know you were running a soup kitchen for my exes.”
“You do realise that girl’s got no one, right?” My voice comes out rougher than I intend. “Her nan died, her parents are long gone, and she’s been trying to keep her head above water ever since. Maybe think before you shoot your mouth off.”
He drops into a chair, scrolling on his phone like it’s all just background noise.
