Grant and I took a seat in the nearly empty lobby while Kimberley went off, looking for food. I checked my phone, but Mason had sent nothing else.
A few minutes later, Kimberley returned with three cups of iced tea and a scoop of vanilla ice cream to share. Once we were all settled, she looked at her phone, reading silently, before looking at Grant. “My notes say that you got promoted.”
“I did. To the principal level.”
“What kinds of assignments have you done?”
“Various roles, mostly related to protecting my master or mistress from a specific and imminent danger.” He stared with interest at his spoonful of ice cream. “I had a case in Chile, where I had the opportunity to travel in the Andes.”
“Have you reached the elite level yet?”
He grinned. “Membership in that level is a secret. I wouldn’t be permitted to confirm such a promotion. However, I’m confident that it takes many years of experience to qualify for the elite ranks.”
He would’ve said more, except we were disturbed by the slap of sneakers jogging toward us.
Mason skidded to a stop by our table, his gaze zeroing in on Kimberley. “Hello,” he said in a crisp tone I’d never heard from him before.
She lurched out of her chair, eyes wide, mouth rounded in a surprised oh. He frowned down at her, his face tight.
“Why are you here?” she asked.
“I took the afternoon off. To go apartment-hunting with you.”
She gulped. “I, um, must’ve forgotten.”
“That would be my conclusion, too.”
“Mason.” She laid a tentative hand on his arm. “I’m sorry.”
He gave a curt nod. When she laced her fingers with his, he bowed his head.
“Okay?” she said, shaking their joined hands.
He straightened, his face transforming from frustration to acceptance in visible stages. “Okay.”
Grant rose. “If all is not truly well with you, Mason, it would be wise to speak with her.”
I stood, too, and nudged my genie with an elbow. “Don’t interfere,” I muttered.
“What?” Kimberley blinked at Grant.
He was completely focused on Mason. “I know that you don’t blame her for this lapse, but it’s your right to share your feelings with her over how this affected you.”
Kimberley shifted her gaze to her boyfriend. “Go ahead, Mason. You can tell me.”
He swallowed. “I’m…disappointed.”
She leaned closer and stared up at him, her hand resting against his chest. What she saw must have alarmed her, because her hand clutched at his shirt, the fabric bunching in her fist. “There’s more. Please, I want to know.”
He hesitated, then nodded. “I added this to your calendar and texted a reminder. When you walked into the coffee shop, I was sure that you were waiting for me to take you. I gave up my afternoon shift, Kimberley, which I didn’t mind, because I was so proud to be a person you could count on.”
“I do count on you, Mason. I just got it in my head that you worked this afternoon, and I missed the rest.” She fell into him, sliding her arms around his waist. “I’m so sorry. Please come with me now. Ineedyour opinion.”
“Okay. Sure.” He hugged her tightly, one hand on her back, the other entangled in her hair. He met my gaze. “I’ll take her home.”
We all walked out together. They turned toward the apartments. Grant and I made our way to the parking lot.
“Why did you do that?” I asked as I climbed into the driver’s side.
