AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When he says my name, my heart jolts.
Sonowhe wants to acknowledge my existence? Now that he’s chatted up every girl between the clinic and this ice cream shop? I just know he’s flashed that pretty boy smile at every local girl in the vicinity today and it’s making me seethe.
“What?” I grumble, my unjustified rage bubbling over.
Mason takes a slow lick of his ice cream cone, lapping up the side where it’s started to melt. “So, that little peace treaty of ours—which clause deals with that awkward moment when we see each other in public?”
My head snaps up, and I glare at his stupid, pretty face.He’s wearing a smirk so subtle that I’m wondering if I’m the only one to notice.
I fold my arms across my chest. “I didn’t see you.”
He eyeballs me incredulously. “Liar…”
My cheeks are hot and prickly. And the way he’s holding my eyes only makes me blush more fiercely. I try to spit out a sassy retort, but all that comes out is a growl.
Mason grins with delight. “How about this? How about we negotiate an addendum to our agreement? I hereby amend our treaty to add the following clause; ‘You must share a proper greeting with your roommate when you run into each other in public.’ Wait—does that sound cheesy?” He glances around at my friends.
“A teensy bit cheesy,” Layla supplies oh-so-helpfully.
“Agreed.” Daphne nods.
I glare some more. Is this man for real? He’s so infuriating.
His gaze comes back to me. “Or maybe we could just say ‘hi’ when we run into each other?” He laps his tongue up the side of his ice cream cone again in another lazy lick. “Let’s practice. Hi, Karli…”
I open my mouth reluctantly. “Hi, Mason…”
“See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?” His grin widens. “It wouldn’t kill you to be nice to me.”
That impish grin gets to me, and I can’t help but smile back. “You’re an ass,” I mutter, starting to remember why I punched him in the first place.
“I’m more than just my ass.” He fakes a pout. “Don’t objectify me, Karli. It’s not polite,” he chides.
I make an audible sound of frustration in my throat. This man annoys me about as much as he turns me on.
Looking smug and very satisfied with himself, Mason rises from the table. “See you at home, roomie.”
He strolls out of the ice cream shop, turning every head as he steps onto the sidewalk.
Daphne imitates his deep voice. “See you at home, roomie.” Then she sex-moans dramatically, throwing her head back. “Girl, it’s a crime how bad I want to switch places with you right now.”
I’m forced to admit to an annoying fact as I watch Mason go—the bastard is charming. And as proved by the uncomfortable wet spot now ruining my panties, I’m not immune to his charms.
Crap! This isveryinconvenient.
11
MASON
When your boss says you’re going out for drinks after work, it’s hard to turn him down.
Even more so when it’s Felix. That guy was always a bad influence on me in med school, and it seems the years haven’t changed my buddy. He’s always after a good time.
He drags me to The North Node Tavern. The bar is run by his younger brother, Nolan, who apparently took over when their grandparents moved to Ireland to enjoy their retirement a few years ago. According to Felix, this is the most popular bar in town, with its low lighting and sticky checkered floors, scuffed leather stools and banquette seating.
When we get there, Nolan is busy behind the bar restocking supplies, taking orders and slinging drinks. All of the other Brighton brothers are there, too. We play a couple rounds of pool, teaming up against each other.
Tired from another long day at the clinic, I mostly stay on the periphery of the conversation as the guys goof around and talk about people I don’t know.Then they start talking about sports.
