Page 115 of The Perfect Distraction

“Need any help?” Beth asked.

“No. Sit down and relax.” He gave her a sweet smile and went back inside.

Looking directly at Brooke, Mason pulled out the chair beside him and motioned for her to sit down. Beth and Joe exchanged a look before Beth sat down on the other side of her sister. Joey, not one to sit still for long, ran into the yard and started kicking his soccer ball around.

“So, tell us about yourself,” Mason said, leaning back in his chair.

Beth wanted to laugh at how obvious he was being, but Brooke was either oblivious or too entranced herself to notice.

“Like Beth mentioned, I work at a bakery in downtown Clarkston, and when I’m not working, I take cooking classes. My goal is to own my own bakery or restaurant someday, or at the very least, manage one.”

“Speaking as somebody who’s sampled your wares, I’d bet that you’ll be very successful,” Mason said.

Beth couldn’t help it. She started laughing, and when Brooke looked over at her, she joined in. Joe shook his head at Mason and then stood up and went into the house, mumbling something under his breath.

“What did I say?” Mason asked, looking genuinely confused.

Just then, Colton reappeared with two cans of beer and a glass of lemonade and set them down at the table. “What’s going on out here?” he asked, looking at the three of them.

“Mason just mentioned that he’s ‘sampled Brooke’s wares,’” Beth said before breaking out in laughter again.

Mason’s eyes widened like he finally got it. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

Brooke reached over and placed a hand on his arm. “It’s okay. Just ignore my undignified older sister.”

Shortly after, Colton went to work grilling hot dogs and hamburgers while Judy bustled about setting the table.

“Would you like some help?” Brooke offered.

“Sure. If you don’t mind.”

Beth stared after them as they disappeared into the house, and Mason chuckled as if he knew what she was thinking.

“Don’t worry. It’s not you.”

“Huh?”

Leaning forward conspiratorially, he said, “She’d be like that no matter who Colton was dating. She’s just worried about Joey, that’s all.”

It was the most personal conversation she’d engaged in with Mason, but she felt comfortable enough to confide in him. “I don’t intend on hurting Joey or your brother.”

“You don’t have to convince me. I can see that. And Mom will too. Just give it some more time.”

She nodded, but inside, she was too aware that time was slipping away. How could she possibly convince Judy that she was in it for the long haul when she only had two weeks left?

“Time to eat!” Colton announced.

Everybody gathered around, filled their plates, and took up positions around the table except for Joey, who insisted on sitting cross-legged on the deck with his back against the railing. Beth couldn’t blame him. If she could have snuck off and joined him, she would have. Instead, she was faced with the daunting task of making small talk with Judy. She’d forgotten about how good of a conversationalist Brooke was, though, and it wasn’t long before her sister was regaling everyone with funny stories from the bakery.

“Seriously? You used a cup of salt instead of sugar?” Mason said, acting like it was the funniest story he’d ever heard.

“Yes! I hadn’t been working there long when it happened. My boss got into a fender bender on her way to work, and she put me in charge of baking the peanut butter cookies. Big mistake! I was so nervous that I switched the measurements of salt and sugar. Needless to say, we had a lot of salty customers that day.”

Everyone laughed.

“I’m proud to say that I haven’t made that mistake again,” Brooke said.

“I’m going to have to test out your cookies just to be sure,” Mason said with a wink.