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“Lauren, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
All breath leaves my lungs. What a punk!
Gran giggles, and I turn to her. She’s filming, isn’t she? Her face creases upward, and my heart melts. For Gran. She’s happy. She loves her grandson, and it gives her joy to see him getting married.
I force a smile and look down at Mason. “Haven’t you asked me this question already?” My grin broadens as I snatch the ring and thrust it onto my finger. “Thanks, honey. Babe.” Sarcasm leeches from my voice. I lift the ring to the light and admire its beauty. I guess I can enjoy it for a little while. I’ll swap it to the other hand when I’m at work. It seems a little tighter than before. I study Mason’s face. “Did you get it resized?”
“It was a little loose before. Does it fit better now?”
Why is my stomach flittering? I frown. Why did he bother? I tug at the ring, but it’s nice and snug. Too snug. It won’t be easy to get off without soap.
He jumps to his feet, hugs me again, and then smacks a kiss against my cheek. “Glad it fits. Just like us. A perfect fit.”
I wrap my hand around his back and pinch his skin. He jolts back and laughs.
I laugh too. I meant it as a warning to stop with the hugs and kisses, but I forgot how he likes to monkey around. Pinching him only fuels his flirtation. He gives me a nip to my butt, and I jump back a mile.
Gran barks a laugh. “You two are adorable. I got that on video. Put it on your SnapTok, Lauren.”
It might as well be called SnapTok or TwitFace. I’m posting on all platforms for work and it’s a blur sometimes to keep up. YouTube and Instagram are where we have the most followers. Not just from posting about white-water rafting, but I share videos from Loveland Ski Resort, the Georgetown Railway Loop, and the gold mine tours.
“No thanks. That account is for work. Ethan wouldn’t be impressed.”
“Who’s Ethan?” Gran asks.
“My boss. He wants to increase our followers but not that way. We don’t want creepy comments.”
Mason slips his hand into mine, and I flinch at first, but remember to relax. Gran is gulping this up. We can’t disappoint her now. The woman is beaming like a lighthouse. I’ll have words with Mason later and tell him to back off next time. Will there be a next time? Does Gran expect us to visit together regularly? I’ll have to invent excuses for why I can’t. I’ll call during my lunch break, maybe. That’ll explain why Mason can’t make it at the same time as me. The forty-minute drive from Denver won’t be worth his time in the middle of the day. At least he didn’t make time for me in the past, so why would he change?
4
MASON
The afternoon sun shines onto Lauren’s blonde hair, and I’m clenching my hands to stop touching her. It’s so good to see her again. I’ve missed her—too much. We pass a bakery, and I back up a step. “Gran, do you want something to take back? They have delicious apple turnovers. You love those.”
Lauren’s shiny lips curve upward. Is she wearing strawberry lip gloss today? I can almost remember the taste of her mouth on mine. I take a deep breath and exhale.
She makes Cinda sit as Gran inspects the blackboard menu.
“We could dine in,” Lauren suggests.
I shift on my feet. “Oh. Dad needs a report by the morning. It’s taking longer than expected, so I need to get back.”
Lauren’s expression transforms like she’s gulped apple cider vinegar. I know that look of disappointment. It twists a knife in my gut, but I have a business to run. The driving and walk will cost me an hour and twenty minutes. An hour I didn’t have.
I’m doing it for Gran. I love her, and she’s worth it. But it does make for a stressful evening later. The report should’ve taken four hours, but I found several forms incomplete, and I need to gather more data.
“Don’t worry about it,” Gran says. “There’s dessert every night back at the home.” Gran pushes her wheelchair to keep moving, but she pauses and squints at me. “Aren’t you going to spend time with your fiancée? Traveling to and from Denver must eat a good chunk of your time together. When is the wedding date? I haven’t received an invitation yet.” She glances at Lauren. “Don’t tell me you’re planning on a long, drawn-out engagement.”
Lauren blinks and darts a glance at me. She looks back at Gran. “To be honest with you, Gran . . .”
My breath catches. She’s not going to say it, is she?
“We’ve taken longer because I need to be sure Mason prioritizes family time. I’m waiting for him to make the necessary changes.”
Gran frowns and darts a glance between Lauren and me. “But you’re also working too much. Both of you need to change.”
Lauren faces me and arcs a neat brow. She remains silent.
