by Aspen Drake
Keep a smile on my face, I put my hand over hers and gently release it from my arm. “Thank you, Mrs. Preston. I'm gonna be heading out, but if you need anything else, just give me a call.”
“Mason, darling, you don't have to leave. You're welcome to stay and enjoy the party.”
“Thank you, but I have other plans this evening. I better get going.”
Mrs. Preston huffs out a disappointed breath. “Very well. I'll be in the office on Monday with your check.”
“Sounds good. See you then.”
Chapter Six
Beth
After driving aimlessly for about an hour, I finally make it to Amy and Nate's house at seven. I didn’t expect to be this late, but I needed some time to regroup after seeing JR.
The huge driveway leading to Nate's house has a lot more cars than I expect. When I called to tell her we were coming, Amy didn't mention a party. I guess I should have assumed I wouldn’t be the only one here on a Saturday night. They like to entertain and have a lot of friends.
With a quick touchup of my makeup in my rearview mirror, I hop out of the car and pull a sleeping Isla out of her car seat.
“Need any help with that?”
A deep voice startles me, but when I look up, I'm instantly relieved to see the baker I met at Olivia's wedding. “Oh, hi. Uh, Mason, isn't it?”
His eyes light up as he grins broadly. “You remembered? I hope that's for a good reason and not because you hated my cream stick.”
I freeze at the back door, trying to make sense of what he just said. Mason’s cheeks pink up a little as he chuckles to himself. “Sorry. The eclairs for the wedding cake.”
“Oh, right, right. Those were delicious.”
“So do you need help with her or anything else?” Mason steps closer and gestures to Isla then looks at the duffel bags on the backseat.
“Sure, if you want to grab those bags, that would be great.”
He reaches into the backseat and pulls them out. “You staying for a few days?”
“Maybe. I’ve got some stuff to take care of in the area, so at least tonight. I don't know about after that.”
“Cool.”
Before we’re even at the door, Amy pulls it open and tries to hug me but between her belly and my kid, we can't get very close. She goes for a side-cheek-kiss kind of move.
Amy laughs as she tries to maneuver her belly out of the way to give Isla a kiss on the cheek too. “I can't wait for this kid to be outside of me.” She pats her belly.
“You’re almost there, honey. Just be patient. You’ll actually miss this time once it’s over.”
“Ha!” Amy rolls her eyes. “I doubt that.”
“Where should I put these?” Mason asks Amy.
“You can put Isla and the bags up in the guest room. I left a baby monitor in their earlier so just turn it on before you leave.”
“Thanks, honey.” I reach out and try to take the bags from Mason. “And thanks, Mason. I appreciate your help.”
“Well, it’s not over yet.” He waves my hand away. “I'll take this up. Don't want you tripping with that precious cargo.”
Okay, so he's a little corny, but he's cute. That sounds like something my grandpa would say. Once Isla and our bags are settled in the guestroom, Mason and I sneak downstairs and out to the backyard. I've got the receiver for the baby monitor snapped to my waistband. I’ll hear if Isla wakes up, but she knows her way around this place. If I’m lucky, she’ll sleep through the night. It’s close to her bedtime and she had a busy day. She’ll come looking for me if she needs anything.
Mason beelines it for his sister, wrapping his arms around hers from behind and lifting her off the ground. Even with her squirming, he carries her to the edge of the pool and holds her there, dangling above the deep water.
My eyes are wide as I wait for him to let go, but she's laughing and squirming and trying to kick his shins. After some unheard words between them, Mason turns around and sets her feet on the ground.
I briefly met Carly and the two men she's dating at Olivia’s wedding. But it’s still such a foreign concept to me to be in a threesome relationship.
I've only had a few boyfriends, and JR and Michael are the only two I even slept with. I’ve had a few opportunities to date since Isla was born, but I haven't been ready.
I don't really trust random men around my daughter, and I've been afraid JR might make an appearance back in our lives. Unfortunately, that's exactly what's happening now.
Amy appears at my side with a plate of food. “Here. You have to eat, girl. You’re looking too skinny.”
I take the plate and bite my tongue, holding in the self-deprecating comments I’d usually bust out after hearing my size two sister say that. I've never been the skinny one between the two of us. She's really only saying that because she's feeling huge with her baby bump. “Thanks, Aims.”
I grab a bacon wrapped beef medallion off the plate and inspect it. “Wow, this is fancy.”
She shrugs. “We have a friend who owns a catering company. She insists on trying out new recipes on us. I asked for barbecue, but we're getting the gourmet version of Menlo Park barbecue.”
“Nice.” I bite into the tender filet. In the hippie town of Santa Cruz where I live, I’d probably be getting tofu dogs and medicinal brownies. “I'll take your gourmet… What is this thing, anyway?” I grab a bread-like object from the plate and twist it in my hand, trying to figure it out.
Amy laughs. “I don't know, but it's made with goat cheese and it's delicious.”
“Good enough for me.” I pop it in my mouth and practically moan out loud. “Wow. Can I move in?” I give her my best puppy dog eyes.
“The guest house is empty. You know you're always welcome to it.”
“Make sure you save room for dessert.” Mason stops beside me with a plate of his own. “I hear it’s full of dairy and gluten.”
Amy busts up. “Oh my god! Those were the worst.” She turns to me. “We were at a party earlier for some brat that goes to Nate’s school. Somehow I ended up with a gluten-free cream stick and almost puked.”
Mason makes a face. “Sorry. Those aren’t our specialty. I really should put some effort into a better GF recipe, but sometimes you just need the real stuff.”
“Amen to that,” I say over a mouthful of brie and cranberries.
“Shit. I’ve gotta pee. Again. I'll be right back.” Amy disappears into the house and leaves me and Mason alone.
“So, how’s life treating you?” Mason casually leans against a brick pony wall surrounding the garden.
“Good.” At least it was good until JR called the other day. “I guess it’s fine.”
Mason frowns. “That doesn't sound very convincing. Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I think so. Just a crazy couple days.”
“Sounds like you need a drink. We can’t let that bar go to waste. What can I get you?”
There’s a full bar set up on the other side of the pool with two attractive men in Hawaiian shirts. I guess that’s as barbecue-ish as this place is gonna get.
“Thanks, but I probably shouldn't. If Isla wakes up, I’ll have to keep a close eye on her around this pool.”
“How about something light? They’re making an amazing mango mojito. I can ask them to go easy on the rum.”
“That does sound really good…”
“I'll be right back.” Mason shoves off the wall and is gone before I can stop him. Oh well. One drink won't hurt.
When Mason returns with a high-ball glass filled with an amber liquid, he hands it to me then points toward some lounge chairs near the DJ. I nod and follow him to an open chair.
“This is a pretty extravagant party for just throwing it together.” It looks like a wedding. A really nice wedding.
“Yeah, I think they have a full party planning committee on staff for every weekend.” Mason laughs. “This is a pretty typical Saturday evening here.”
I look up just in time to se
e Amy walking out of the house holding Isla’s hand. Oops. I didn't even hear her.
Isla waves to me then runs in the opposite direction, away from the pool, to where Natey has a caged trampoline set up. “Well, she'll be busy for the next four hours.”
Mason chuckles softly. “I guess I'll just have to entertain you, then.”
Chapter Seven
Mason
Beth is just as beautiful in a pair of tight jeans and a t-shirt as she was when I met her at the wedding. The only difference is the tension in her eyes. She seems unsettled but trying to hide it. It takes everything I have not to ask her to confide in me.
I'm basically a stranger, but I feel like I want to know what troubles her. I want to know if there's something I can do to help.
“You come here often?”
I laugh, startled by the cheesy pickup line. “Not too often. But haven’t seen you around these parts. You new in town?”
Beth laughs and lightly smacks my arm. “You know what I mean. You said this is a normal party, so I assume you come to their parties often.”
“Nah.” I shrug. “I think Amy feels sorry for me so she invites me over all the time. I show up with sticks every couple weeks. The food is always good, although, usually the company’s not always so interesting.”
I glance at Beth's eyes just in time to see her looking away from me with a shy smile on her lips. “Thanks.”
When Beth doesn't say anything else, I decide to delve a little deeper. “So why haven't I seen you here more often? Santa Cruz isn't that far away.”
She looks out at the trampoline where little Isla is playing with Natey and a few of his friends. There are couples and groups standing all around the large yard, but it feels like just Beth and I are out here. “I don't party too often anymore. This is about as wild as I get these days.” She looks back at me with a disbelieving grin.
“I find that hard to believe,” I say innocently. “I'm just a lonely old baker man. I fill my cream sticks and go about my business.”
“Ha. Ha,” she says with an amused glint in her eyes. They are beautiful emerald eyes that sparkle now and then and hold me in with their vibrancy.
“So what are you doing tomorrow?” I have to take a chance.
“Oh.” Beth looks uncomfortable with my question, so I immediately backtrack.
“No… I was… I'm not suggesting anything. I just wondered because there's a great farmers’ market downtown that has a kid area. They do face painting and stuff like that. Isla would probably enjoy it.”
“Oh.” Her face lights up but then she pulls the corner of her lip between her teeth. “Yeah, actually, I do have plans tomorrow, and then I'll probably head home, but that sounds like fun. Maybe we'll have to come back next weekend and drag Amy out there. A little walking might do her some good.”
I laugh. “Yeah, poor thing is desperate to be a single being once again. She’d probably try just about anything to deliver early.”
After a few moments of sitting in silence, Beth turns toward me.
“Are you gonna go to the farmers’ market tomorrow? Do you usually go?”
“Sometimes. There's an organization that we donate cream sticks to.” I turn away, a little uncomfortable bragging about my personal philanthropy efforts. “Um, they sell them to raise money. I try to stop by and at least check in with them if I can.”
“Cool. What kind of organization is it for?”
“Women in abusive relationships. There's a shelter in Redwood City that’s kind of a halfway house for women and children escaping bad relationships.”
“Oh.” Beth’s face goes white and she looks away, locking her eyes on Isla again. “That’s a very worthy cause, Mason. I'm impressed.”
“I’m not trying to impress anybody. I just can't donate as much time as I’d like.” I clear my throat and force a smile. “The best I can do is help them earn some money.”
Beth gives one quick shake of her head but doesn't say another word.
After sitting in silence for a while, the moment is broken by a sweet little girl running toward us. Isla falls into her mother’s lap. “Mommy, I'm thirsty.”
“There's a bucket of water and juices right over by the table.” I point to where Amy has kid food and drinks set up. “Do you want me to go―”
Before I can finish, Isla hops off Beth's lap and runs to the bucket. She comes back with a few chicken nuggets and carrots on a plate and a bottle of water. She's such a dainty little thing as she sets up her plate and water on the chair next to Beth with such precision. It’s as if she's getting ready for a tea party with the queen.
“Mommy, I had fun today.”
Beth smiles and nods to her daughter. “I know you did, baby. I'm glad.”
“I'm so excited to see Daddy again tomorrow.”
“Yeah,” Beth says, focusing her gaze on her folded hands in her lap. I was under the impression that Isla’s dad was out of the picture. I guess that's not the case.
“Well, I better go check on Carly before those guys whisk her away.” They never let her out of their sight for more than a few minutes.
“Tell her I say hi.”
I can't tell if the darkness in her expression is from my mention of Carly and her two boyfriends or if it has anything to do with her ex. “It’s good to see you,” I say, resisting the urge to pull her into a hug. She looks like she could use a hug.
“You too, Mason. Thanks for keeping me company.”
I slide my hands in my pockets and go look for my sister.
Chapter Eight
Carly
“Babe, it's just one week. It'll be fine.”
Noah shakes his head. “I hate New York.”
“Why? It's fun.”
He narrows his eyes. “You're gonna be working and learning the whole time. What kind of fun do you think you're gonna have?”
I smirk. “Well, I am human. We usually go out for drinks every night.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Max is suddenly interested in the conversation. “You're gonna get drunk every night in a city you’re unfamiliar with?”
“Do you think there will be a serial murderer disguised as a cosmetologist at the Bumble and bumble University?” I say with my hand on my hip.
“Could be. You wouldn't know. You trust everyone and think the world is nice.”
“That’s not true.” I huff and resist the urge to stomp my foot. “And I can take of myself, you know.”
“Yeah, we know.” Max has an amused twinkle in his eye. “Frankie told us what happened that night you almost got your ass kicked and how Olivia had to save you.”
Frankie.
I turn to look for him but remember he and Andre couldn't make it tonight. “That's not how it happened. She was a bitch looking for a fight. I would have talked her down.”
“I don't like it,” Noah says again under his breath. “Maybe we should go with you.”
“Please.” I laugh. “No way.”
“Why not?” Max sounds as ridiculous as Noah now.
“This is supposed to be a fun girls’ trip.”
“We're not fun?” Max looks a little hurt, but I know he’s just teasing. At least I think he's just teasing.
“Of course you guys are fun, but I also need to spend time with other people. Girlfriends… You know, so we can do girl stuff.”
“What exactly is girl stuff?”
“Talking about guys.”
Max’s eyes go wide. “Will there be a pillow fight? Maybe in skimpy panties?”
“Yeah, and we’ll have a lesbian orgy after that. Too bad boys aren’t allowed.”
I realize my voice has gotten a little loud just as my brother walks up. Awesome.
“Who’s having a lesbian orgy and how can I get a ticket to watch?”
Noah and Max both chuckle. “Your sister.”
“Gross!” Mason’s face crumples up into one of disgust. “I should know better by now than to ask what you three do for fun. You’re already to
o kinky just being together. All the rest of that stuff would probably give me nightmares.”
Noah smiles and steps aside, knowing my brother’s just teasing. It’s taken Mason a while to get used to the idea of me being with two men. Now, he mostly likes to tease them and call my men the “brother husbands.”
“So if I said I knew where one was happening tonight, you wouldn’t go?” I raises an eyebrow at my brother.
“Hell, yeah, I’d go. Is there one you won’t be at?” he asks.
“No, but Max seems to think that any time a group of women get together overnight, there're naked pillow fights involved.”
“Aren’t there?” Mason asks with a straight face. “I've watched enough scary movies to know that's pretty accurate.”
“Shut up.” I shove him much harder than I would've had I not downed a few drinks already.
“But, seriously, where will these naked pillow fighting girls be?” Mason says, picking a cracker off the plate in my hand.
“Stop that!” I smack his fingers. “It’s mine.”
He yanks his hand away and gets the cracker in his mouth before I can steal it back. Jerk.
“I'm going to my annual training in New York, and I think the boys are a little jealous.”
“Jealous?” Mason laughs. “You guys share her already. What's there to be jealous of? Isn’t the whole theme of this relationship that there’s no jealousy involved?”
“Oh, there’s jealousy involved,” I say, raising an eyebrow at my lovers. “Just not between the two of them. I can barely smile at the grocery clerk without one of them practically molesting me in the aisle to stake their claim.”
Noah shrugs, not even trying to deny that it's true. “We're just worried that she could get herself into trouble. Maybe one of us will have to go with her.”
Max agrees with a thoughtful nod. “Yeah. We could do shifts. You take the first half of the week and I’ll take the second half.”
Now I'm pissed. “I sincerely hope you guys are just messing with me because I do not need a babysitter. I am a grown ass woman, and if I want to take a trip to hang out with other grown ass women as part of my career development, then I will do it. I do not need your permission, nor do I need your supervision. Got it?”
