She was hugging Sky and they were both crying when Mason reached them.
“What the hell was that?” Mason asked Sarina, once it was his turn for a tearful hug.
“I had a long talk with Lexie after you broke the news to Sam and Kate. We worked it out with Bill last night after I got back to Roseview. I’m buying the hardware store so he can retire, and he gave us his blessing. He’s planning to spend the rest of his days driving around the country in his new RV and fishing.”
“That’s incredible, Sina!” Mason was crying again as he pulled her into his arms and spun her, but these werehappytears. “I’m so happy for you two.”
“I think I’m ready to move in with Lexie, if that’s okay with you.” She winced hard, looking torn as she delivered the news to Mason. “We want to fix up her place over the hardware store. It’s just a few minutes from the house and I think we can figure out a way to make this easy on Sam, right?”
“I know we can,” Mason said and hugged her again. “He has two grandmas and soon, he’ll have two moms. He loves spending the weekend at his grandparents’ house. We’ll handle it like that until both places feel like home. And I’ll pick Dr. Collins' brain for more advice next week.”
“Good thinking! I love you!” She kissed him, then leaned back. “I’m staying at your parents’ place with Little Sam for a few days. Get some rest and work things out with Sky,” she said with a nod at her brother.
Sky’s eyes widened and his cheeks turned pink. “Work things out with Sky?” he echoed, then gulped loudly.
Nadine’s gaze flicked between Sky and Mason and her jaw fell. “Since when?” she asked loudly.
“Shhh! Thewholetown is watching!” Sky said as he turned her away from the crowd.
“Gosh! I’m so sorry!” She covered her mouth and nodded. “There’s chocolate cake and wine at the house, and I will forgive you if you tell me everything now.”
“I think…” Sky looked at Mason and waited for his nod. “We can do that. Mom won’t like it, but I should probably get my things while I’m there too,” he added quietly.
A giant smile split Nadine’s face. “Let’s make it champagne. We have so much to celebrate!”
Sarina took a rain check so she could stop in at the hardware store and let Lexie know how the press conference had gone. Lexieknew the bombshell was coming and had agreed that getting it over with, and telling everyone to mind their own business was the best way for them to handle it. But shedid notwant to be there when it happened. As a man with his own secrets and concerns about his future in Roseview, Mason could understand that.
Neither he nor Sky felt like talking during the short ride to Adele’s, but Mason stopped him before they got out of the truck. “Everything’s going to be okay. Adele already knows about us, and I can tell Nadine is tickled. We can handle whatever your mother throws at us. Then,weget to decide what happens next.”
“What do you want to happen next?” Sky asked him, his eyes growing wider. “Are you going to come out? Are we going to?—?”
“Slow down,” Mason said with a soft laugh as he pulled Sky close and kissed him. “The last few days have been a rollercoaster. I thought I was going to lose my dad, and then I told him the truth about…everything. Except for who Sam’s real dad is or about your mom and Lance. I had no idea Sina was going to do that, or what comes next. IthinkI know what I’d like to happen, but we need time alone to talk about it.Alone,” he repeated as he pecked at Sky’s lips. “I can’t even believe you’re here.Whyare you here?”
“Nadine called and told me about Sam Sr. and I had to be here for you. I don’t know what I can do to help, but I want to help you. The way you helped me when I was hurting.”
“I’m so much better now,” Mason said and sighed as he pulled himself away. “At least, I will be. I need to eat something that isn’t from a vending machine or a cafeteria, take a long, hot shower, then crash.”
“I can help with that,” Sky said, smiling as he pushed open his door andgot out and Mason hurried after him. “I still can’t cook but Nadine will know what to do.”
She already had it covered. A large salad was placed in front of Mason at the kitchen table and there was a cheese tray to go along with their champagne.
“I was already planning to make pasta for lunch, so it won’t take long. You two can fill me in while I work,” Nadine said, then turned when Adele arrived with an empty martini glass.
“What are we celebrating?” she asked as she went to the ice bucket and took out the bottle to pour herself a refill.
There was a long pause as they all waited until Sky realized thathewas supposed to say something.
“Me?” He looked at Mason and Nadine.
She laughed and held up a wedge of Parmesan. “I’m still waiting to find out.”
Mason shook his head as he stabbed at his salad. “Youget to decide how much she knows. I’m just here for support.”
“Awesome,” Sky said dryly, then slouched as he turned to his mother. “Might as well get it over with. Sarina just came out to the whole town and is getting married to Lexie Walston. I have no idea what that means for me and Mason, but I’m going to stay at his place so we can figure that out,” he said and looked at Mason to make sure he had gotten it right.
He held up a thumb as he chewed, then swallowed before addressing Adele. “My parents know I’m in love with Sky, but we haven’t decided if we’re telling everyone yet. It would mean a lot to me if you would let us handle this privately, and in our own way.”
Adele’s gaze tightened as she sipped and Mason held his breath, praying she let them off easy this time. “Sarina and Lexie Walston? That girl gets around almost as much as I do.” She regarded Sky for a moment, a hint of a smile curving her lips. “Congratulations, or whatever. I’m going to see what I can find out about Sarina’s affair. I already know you two won’t tell me anything,” she said, turning and heading back the way she had come.
