They kissed, touching each other’s faces and smiling as their lips clung. “I love you too, Mase. Can we go in now?”
Mason laughed and stole another kiss before getting the door for Sky. “Two, please,” he said when he was greeted by Juliet, Joe’s granddaughter. She smiled brightly at them as she grabbed two menus from the stack.
“Right this way! How’s your morning going, Mayor Cartwright?” she asked him as she led them to his usual booth in the back corner.
“Amazing! How’s your morning going?” he replied, resting a hand on Sky’s back and smiling at familiar faces as they followed her. So far, everyone looked delighted as they smiled and waved back.
“Just wonderful! How have you been, Mr. Sutton?” she asked Sky, placing their menus on the table.
“Great. Just Sky is fine,” Sky answered quickly, frowning at the menu as he lowered onto the seat. His finger dragged down the page as he read, then he smiled and let out a relieved sigh when he found what he was looking for. “Can I have a carafe of orange juice, plain pancakes, and bacon? And tater tots.”
“Sure thing!” She bit down on a laugh as she glanced at Mason. “Your usual?”
“Please,” he said, scooting into the bench across from Sky.
“Would you like some coffee, too?” she asked Sky but he shook his head.
“No, thanks. I don’t like the coffee here.” He was distracted by the syrup bottle on the table and didn’t notice as Mason and Juliet exchanged amused smiles.
“I’ll have some,” Mason told her.
Sky held up the bottle. “Is this regular syrup?”
“Yup! I’ll let your server know that you’ve already ordered,” she said, then dashed to the counter and waved down Elaine.
“Did that wrong,” Sky muttered to himself.
Mason shrugged it off. “They remember how seriously you take breakfast. But Juliet covers the front of the house and makes sure that everything runs smoothly and people sit at the right tables,” he explained and sat up straighter when Lexie Walston entered the diner. “Sky, look!” he whispered.
Sky turned and nodded. “It’s Lexie,” he said as he turned back to Mason, not realizing the significance of the moment.
“I think this is the first time she’s been out in public since Sina’s big announcement,” Mason said quietly, before standing and waving for her to come over.
She was startled but smiled as she waved back and made her way around tables to them. Dressed in her usual overalls and store T-shirt, Mason noted that she looked a lot younger than her fifty-plus years. Her soft brown hair had been gathered in a long braid that hung over her shoulder, and she fidgeted with the end as she joined them. She had several tattoos on her arms, mostly dedicated to plants and nature. Mason had always liked Lexie’s soft, yet generous spirit. Being so quiet and private, Mason was extra touched and impressed that Lexie had agreed to come out publicly with Sarina.
“Mason, it’s good to see you,” she said timidly. She was shaking as she offered Mason a nervous glance, then looked around the diner.
“It’sgreatto see you, Lexie,” Mason stated and pulled her into a warm hug. He wanted everyone to see and didn’t want anyone to have a single doubt about how happy he was for Sarina and Lexie. “How are you doing?” he asked her as he leaned back. He gave her arm a reassuring knead so she knew he was proud of her and she wasn’t alone.
She shook her head. “It’s been…surprisingly calm. So far, everyone’s acting totally normal.”
“I thought it would be scarier, too,” Mason confided. “You remember Sky, right?” he said as he pointed at Sky.
“Of course, I remember Sky!” She bowed her head at him.
Sky belatedly followed Mason’s cue and jumped to his feet and hugged her. “Sorry I don’t stop by the hardware store more often.”
“Don’t be silly! It’s so good to have you back.” She laughed and patted his cheek before releasing Sky and turning to Mason.
“Thank you!” she whispered. “I was afraid everyone would hate me for breaking up your family.”
“You aren’t,” Mason said with utter certainty. “You’re making it bigger and better. I just hope you have hard hats in stock. You’re going to need them if you’re officially joining this family,” he warned and they shared a laugh and chatted about Sam Sr. until Sky and Mason’s food arrived and Lexie’s pickup order was ready. “I’m so glad we decided to have breakfast here this morning.”
“It was your idea,” Sky replied and looked up, frowning as Walter Bennet stomped over from his usual stool at the counter.
Mason braced himself, mentally preparing for a confrontation because Walter was one of the town’s more abrasive and louder residents. “Morning, Walter. How’s your sister?” Mason asked Walter over his coffee and sipped, hoping he looked confident and relaxed.
“Beth’s doing good. The new hip’s done wonders for her moods,” he mumbled out, then cocked his chin at Sky. “Are you two gonna be a thing, now that Sarina’s with Lexie Walston?” he asked bluntly.
