“I like her building. It’s in a safe neighborhood,” my dad adds, nodding his head.
“That’s exciting. Where is your new house?” My mom continues to pepper him with questions.
“In north Scottsdale. It backs up to the mountain, so it’s got really good views,” he says.
“I’m glad things are moving along smoothly for you. It all sounds so great. Doesn’t it, Bailey?” My mom turns to look at me.
And suddenly, I’m pinned by everyone at the table—including the heat coming directly from Mason’s unwavering stare. He has a smug look on his face like he’s waiting for me to compliment how amazing he is.
“Why are you asking me? Yes, that’s awesome,” I respond, annoyed with her direct question to me and only me. She’s trying to get at something, and I’m not sure I want to find out.
“Thanks, Bailey.” Mason grins.
Just then, my wonderfully opinionated father decides to chime in. “Mason, you turned out to be a pretty decent guy. You know, after your whole collegeCasanovathing.”
My brother laughs.
My face turns bright red.
Mason practically spits out his wine.
Taking advantage of rendering us all speechless, my father decides to continue. “We grew up in the ‘70s and that was a time all about free love. We used to go to these get-togethers out in the middle of the forest and—”
“Okay, Fred.” My mom cuts in. “No more wine for you.”
Chuckling, my dad winks at Mason before shoveling a large spoonful of mashed potatoes into his mouth.
“Thanks for the compliment, even if it did almost turn into a very uncomfortable story,” Mason says.
After dinner, my dad and Harry offer to clean up, but my mom, being the hostess that she’s always been, scoffs them off. Mason offers, too, but she just shoos him away as well. So instead, my dad, brother, and Mason head outside to chat on the back patio. The kids quickly follow, anxious to play in the backyard.
“Mason looks good. I feel like it’s been forever since we’ve seen him,” my mother says as she begins filling the sink with hot water.
“Okay, Mom.” I dismiss her comment, but she doesn’t take the hint and continues.
“It’s nice having him here with us for Thanksgiving. You know he doesn’t have a girlfriend.”
“I’m not surprised. He’s a jerk and probably has no one to settle down with.”
“You don’t know if he’s still like that or if he was ever really like that.”
I set the casserole dish and a few plates on the counter next to her. “What are you saying?”
“All I’m saying is that you haven’t seen him in almost six years. It doesn’t seem like he’s still that college boy that he once was. Look at him.” She gestures in the direction of the backyard.
Humoring her, I lift my eyes above the sink, out the window, and onto the small kidney-shaped patch of grass next to the pool. Mason is running around with Luca and Phoebe, while Harry, Jess, and my dad sit at the patio table, chatting with their glasses of wine. My stomach flips, watching him play with the kids.
We’re both still staring out the window when my mom tilts her head into mine and whispers, “He’s a man now, with a career and a life.”
I clear my throat, pulling my hands out of the soapy water. Drying them with a dish towel, I lean against the counter. There is no way my mother is right. She doesn’t understand that I just can’t entertain the idea of being with anyone, let alone my brother’s best friend. I have to think about Luca and what he needs.
My mom rests her chin on my shoulder. “You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?” She teases.
“Oh, my god. Stop it. You don’t need to play matchmaker for your adult daughter,” I snap, one hand flying to my hip.
“Okay. Sorry, honey. I’m just saying that I don’t think you should give him such a hard time. I’m fairly certain that we’ll be seeing more of him from now on.”
First Jess and now my mom.What is with everyone today?
