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Mason
Mason picked up his iced tea, wished it were something stronger, and took a swig. He needed a stiff drink to calm his nerves, but he was driving Aspen and Pippa home after this dinner. He couldn’t stop staring at the beauty across from him.
Aspen was going on about a comic she was obsessed with, and Pippa gave his daughter her undivided attention. He couldn’t complain; it gave him the freedom to study her, memorizing the curves of her face, the slope of her neck and bare shoulders. Her skin glowed in the low lighting of the restaurant. The flicker of a candle in a mason jar in the center of the table made her eyes sparkle.
He took another sip, capturing a piece of ice to chew on this time. He needed something to cool him down. The woman stirred awake parts of him that had been in hibernation for over a decade and inspired the discovery of a few more. Bet she tastes as good as she smells—like sweet cherry pie.
“Hey, Mase.” Jasmine’s voice interrupted his lustful thoughts.
He turned and took in the very pregnant co-owner of Atlantis.
Her boyfriend and the chef of the restaurant, Atlas, wrapped his arm around her waist and offered Mason a smile. “Hey, guys.”
“How’s it going?” Mason asked.
“Pretty good. Are you all enjoying the meal?” Atlas asked.
“It’s so good,” Aspen supplied as Mason nodded.
“Well, I’ll have your server bring out a new dessert we’re trying. Think you guys could give me some feedback in exchange for some free treats?” Atlas smiled.
“I think we could sacrifice a little more room, as long as you send out a few slices of that famous chocolate peanut butter cheesecake too.” Ever since he’d overheard Aspen mention how much Pippa loved Reese’s, he’d wanted to bring her some of this dessert.
Atlas chuckled. “Alright. It’s a deal.”
Jasmine turned to Pippa. “Is drag queen story hour happening this week? Zoey’s been asking when we can go again. She loves Marsha Divine.”
Pippa smiled, her eyes lighting up. “Yes. Friday at two.”
“We’ll be there. You guys enjoy the rest of your meal,” Jasmine said before she and Atlas waved goodbye.
Pippa petted Lady’s head by her side.
“So, what made you want to open your own bookstore?” Mason asked.
Aspen listened in with interest. Her attention hadn’t gone far from Pippa since they’d picked her up that afternoon.
Pippa wiped her hands on a napkin and cleared her throat. “Well, when I was a little girl, I was stuck in hospitals for a very long time.”
“Because of your epilepsy?” Aspen asked.
“Sort of. Epilepsy is more a symptom. I had a tumor on my brain that they discovered when I was seven. I had surgery to remove it.” Pippa touched the top of her head. “And for a little while, it worked.”
Mason’s chest squeezed tight. He couldn’t imagine Aspen going through something like that. Brain surgery at seven? Pippa’s parents must have been beside themselves.
“But?” Aspen prodded.
“The scar tissue caused some more problems and it got worse for a while.” Pippa’s gaze clouded over as she looked towards the other patrons in the restaurant.
“That sounds scary,” Aspen added.
Pippa gave her a forced smile and nodded. “It was. But eventually I got on some medications that help control it as much as possible. And I have Lady here to watch out for me.”
That’s all? If Pippa were his, he wouldn’t let her out of his sight.
But she’s not mine.
So why did he feel this need to protect her?
