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“Mason.” Just hearing my name on her lips sends a little thrill through me.
“This is Mason?” Fritz turns to face me. “Just what the—”
“Language,” I say while I glance down at Sammy. He’s looking up at me, still holding onto my hand as if I’m a lifeline. I can’t lie. The fact that he came to me, that he’s still holding onto me like this, has my heart swelling.
“Fritz always cusses. He says it’s because he was a tough Army guy.” Sammy says it in a way that tells me he’s heard his uncle swear a lot. Fritz has the good grace to look embarrassed.
“Fritz O’Bryan!” Liv says, frowning at her brother. She looks at Avery, who smiles, steps closer to their brother, and smacks the back of his head.
“Ow!” He scowls at his sister but apparently has learned his lesson and doesn’t cuss.
“Okay, O’Bryans, breakfast is almost ready. I need help getting things set,” Savannah says. No one don’t move. “Now! Move it.”
Damn, there is no mistaking the authority in her voice. She was considered one of the top chefs in the country before she stepped out to host a travel show onThe Adventure Network.She must have been a terror in the kitchen.
The siblings seemingly know not to screw around with Savannah because they all file out.
“You too, Sammy,” Savannah said.
His grip tightens so much that I’m worried it might cut off the circulation in my hand. I drop down to his level.
“Hey, I need to talk to your mama.”
“Then you’ll come eat with us?” I don’t miss the hopeful tone and it makes my heart happy.
I nod. “As long as your mama wants me to after we talk, I will.”
He draws in a deep breath and leans in, finally giving up my hand, and slips his skinny arms around my neck. “Everything is better when you’re here.” Oh fuck, that’s not fair. “Please don’t tell anyone I cried.” He says that last part only loud enough for me to hear. I nod, unable to speak around the lump in my throat.
When Liv and I are finally alone, neither one of us says a word. The silence stretches out into awkwardness. There’s a knock at the door before it opens. Avery’s smile fades. “I thought for sure you would be getting busy.”
Liv huffs out a laugh. “What are you doing here?”
“Savannah sent me to tell both of you that there will be no lemon ricotta pancakes for either of you if you don’t sort this shit out.”
Then she’s gone, shutting the door.
“My family,” she says, shaking her head.
“Not much different than mine. Well, other than there are so many of them. I mean, how did you handle that? Also, Fritz…you girls made his life a living hell, didn’t you?”
She laughs, and, dammit, there goes my heart again. There has never been such a sweet sound.
“We did, but he deserved it.” Then her smile fades. “I’m sorry.”
Tears fill her eyes, and I step forward to take her in my arms. I’m helpless against those tears. Typically, I run in the other direction from them. Most of the women I’ve had relationships with used tears as a control mechanism. Yeah, I dated some real winners. But Liv, she’s strong. When she cries, it’s against all her instincts.
Her arms snake around to my back, and she holds on tight. I close my eyes. This. This is all that matters.
“You have nothing to be sorry for, Liv.”
She leans her head back and looks up at me. “I do. I belittled your feelings.”
She did, but that was the heat of the moment.
“Let’s sit and talk.”
Once we’re on the bed together, I open my mouth, but she holds up her hand.
