We kiss again, the room spinning just a little as he comes closer.
Chapter 20
Mason
She laughs at her phone. It’s small. But it cuts through the quiet of the living room like a pin drop.
“What’s funny?” I ask.
She glances up, thumb hovering over the screen. “Nothing.”
I nod, eyes back on the TV.
Then she laughs again. This time, my jaw tightens before I can stop it.
“Work stuff?” I ask.
“Yeah.”
“Sierra?”
She shakes her head. “No. Trevor.”
I feel my guard raise up, and I lean forward, resting my forearms on my knees. “Why’s he texting you on a Saturday night?”
Her head snaps up. “What?”
“I’m just asking,” I say, but my voice already sounds different, edged.
Her brows knit. “Because we work together, Mason. It’s just about work.”
“Okay, but why’s he texting you this late?”
She just stares at me, like she doesn’t even know what to say.
“I’m not saying you’re doing anything wrong,” I say quickly, though my blood feels hot. “I just don’t love it.”
She lets out a breath that sounds like frustration more than anger. “You don’t love that I have coworkers?”
“I don’t love that it’shim.”
“Why?” she presses.
I hesitate. Because saying it out loud makes it real.
“Because he’s our age,” I admit. “Because he’s good-looking. And around you all day in a world I’m not a part of.”
Her mouth falls open slightly. “So you’re jealous?”
“No,” I say immediately, even though I’m not sure what else you’d call it. The room goes still.
Finally, she shakes her head and hands her phone toward me. “Here. Read it.”
I hesitate.
“Go ahead,” she insists, firm but serious. “I don’t have anything to hide.”
I take the phone even though it feels wrong, and look at the text thread anyway.
