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Mason looks at my son, a fond smile curving his lips. “Tell me, little man, what is theAllisonand why do you like it?”
Sammy shrugs. “Not sure, but I like it.”
Mason chuckles. “I like a man who knows what he likes.”
“It’s strawberry lemonade,” Callie says.
“And who is Allison?” Mason asks.
“She’s married to Ed, one of the other owners.”
Callie says it with a cute little blush. I think she has a crush on my brother’s business partner, but it isn’t hard to see why. He’s a big, burly guy who drives motorcycles and can bake cupcakes.
“Ah, so which one is your favorite?”
Her blush grows. “The Callie. It’s like a Boston cream pie.”
“You have a cupcake named after you?” Callie nods. “Hot dang, that’s so cool.”
“Yeah, there’s no Avery,” Avery says.
“Because you say they are all your favorite,” Callie says, looking at her aunt, but also glancing at Mason. She’s never met anyone I dated. And yes, while I did, it rarely got past the first date, so there was no reason to introduce them.
Dammit, did I just put Mason in the category of dating me? I did. What the hell am I thinking? I don’t have time for a fling. I definitely can’t have a fling with the man living next door to me. When things go sour, and they will, it will be beyond awkward.
Then he smiles at me, and I lose that thought. He has the best smile.
We’re smiling at each, I have no idea how long, before the waitress returns with the milkshakes.
I blink, another blush heating my cheeks. This is dangerous, but I can’t help the pull he has on me. I know it’s a mistake, but I steal another glance, and the heat in his eyes has me shifting in my seat and fighting the urge to fan myself.
Yep, this is going to be one long dinner.
ChapterSeventeen
MASON
It takes another two weeks for Liv and me to work out another dinner date. Okay, it’s not a date, at least in her mind. In my mind, I’ve been invited over for dinner with her kids and her sister, and I’m counting that as a date, just like the night at the diner.
Houdini showed up around an hour ago. I glance at my companion for the last hour as he watches me button up my shirt. It cracks me up that he spends about equal time between the houses.
I thought maybe it was another situation like with Sammy. It’s hard being surrounded by women all the time. A guy needs a break. But apparently, Houdini was attached to their old neighbor in Lindell, some little old lady. I have no idea what he sees in me that makes him come over the fence. Well, other than the fact that I have a jar of bones for him when he does.
Yes, I might have sort of adopted her dog.
I offered to bring something, but Liv insisted that I wasn’t allowed to bring anything. Sammy said I could bring gravy since his mother’s was so lumpy, but I decided not to even step into that mess. I even offered wine, but Liv said not to worry.
Of course, I couldn’t go without bringing something. I wasn’t raised that way. I grab the container of snickerdoodle cookies. Sammy told me that they were his mother’s favorites.
As I make my way to her front door, Houdini trots beside me. I knock on the door, and the goofy dog barks. Yes, he watched me knock on the front door, but apparently, that doesn’t matter.
The door swings open, revealing Sammy.
“Houdini! I didn’t even know you were gone!” He smiles up at me. “Hey, Mason.”
Liv comes hurrying forward.
“I told you not to open the door just like that.”
