AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Don’t get nervous. I didn’t mean that way.”
“Right, of course.” He cleared his throat. “But I understand. When you came in for the interview, I knew it. No one had really seen the same vision I had for the MJ2. Not even my employees.”
“It’s an extension of the restaurant, but it’s also legit a floating piece of fun. There’s so much that we can do with it. Well, me and your money.”
He laughed. “I definitely got that idea from your emails.”
“I can learn how to use a budget—at least I’m pretty sure.”
“I saved up for the expenses, but we can’t go insanely crazy. My brother and Gina would lose their mind.”
“There’s a lot we can do without spending a kazillion dollars.” I moved my hungry monster to the other side, and she continued her chow time.
“Good, because I’m pretty sure I don’t have a kazillion.”
“Email me your actual budget and I’ll make it happen.”
“Wewill.”
“This is what you’re hiring me for, right?”
“This is a trial basis for both of us.”
“Fine.” I glanced around at the big room. The last time I’d been in here, there had been paramedics and far too many strangers.
“First order of business, do you want a sit-down dinner?”
He stretched out his long legs and laced his fingers over his middle. His jeans were a nice dark wash that looked more professional than the worn-in kind that I personally preferred.
But this angle certainly showed off just how large he was.
I wasn’t exactly the tiniest woman—I was fairly average all around at about five and a half feet. But the way he took up space made my fingertips tingle.
I was tactile and hugged people on the regular. Mason made me want to slide over and enjoy the slice of sun he was sitting in.
Instead, I cuddled Adriana closer. For the first time in a long time, I wished I wasn’t doing all of this alone.
What would it be like to have someone like Mason in my corner? Instead of the whiny narcissist I’d almost saddled myself with.
Thanks, Terri—truly. She’d done me a huge favor by being irresistible. She’d learn that Pierre often had a problem with women. I’d ignored the signs of his roving eye, figuring I would be woman enough for him.
But when a man was that selfish, there was no one important enough in the end. He’d always choose himself first. Which was why I’d never told him about Adriana.
Why I’d continue to leave him in the dark. Because she would never come second as far as I was concerned.
I’d been ruminating for so long that I hadn’t noticed Mason had been quiet a long time. I leaned forward slightly and noticed his eyes were closed.
Not exactly the answer I was looking for. But now that he wasn’t busily moving or asking other people what they needed, I noticed the heavy shadows under his eyes and that his normally well-groomed scruff was on the unkempt side.
I’d bet Mason didn’t know what sleep or even what a break was.
I was the same, but for a far different reason. Yet another notch in my column for why he desperately needed me.
I’d have to show him just how much.
I gazed down at my milk-drunk bean. “I bet he’s needed help for a long time,” I whispered to Adriana.
She answered with a sleepycoo, and I twisted her to lay on my chest so I could rub her back.
