I let out a breath.
“Next we have, let’s see . . .” She tapped her finger on her chin. “You love having him in your life.” Another snort escaped her. “We’ll revisit that one. You live across the country. Again, who cares? Not that I want you to move, but it’s just geography. Couples make that work all the time. Then there’s the best one, you just got out of a relationship.” She threw her hands in the air as if she were praying. “Thank God for that.”
Sophie placed her hand on mine. “You’re scared; I’d be too. But isn’t he worth it? Aren’t you? Don’t you think it’s about time you did something for yourself? I thought that’s why you’re here. You have this grand plan of everything you want to do while in California. Why not add Mason to that list?”
Yes, she was right. This was why I was here, but my heart wasn’t ready. Even though my feelings for Scott had gone away, the hurt was still there. I gave that man everything, just for him to throw it away over nothing. What if that happened again? No, not with Mason; I couldn’t bear it.
“I’m not adding him to my list in that way. He knows about my list and said he’d help me fulfill it.”
“He would because he wants you happy.”
“That’s the thing . . . I am.”
She let out a long breath. “Are you?”
After I thought about it a bit, I knew there was only one answer. “Yes, I am. I just want to be me for a while and not a couple. Screwing around with Mason would just complicate things. This is the most laid-back state in the country, and I want to hang out here and chill out now that my project is over. Can you understand that?”
Sophie stood up and stretched. “Yes, I can. But that doesn’t mean you can’t let loose and have fun. That was your original plan when you came out here. So, do it. Let loose for a change.”
“You’re right, I suppose.”
“Damn straight I’m right. Now, let’s get some sleep so we can hit Rodeo Drive tomorrow. Retail therapy is in order.”
“I don’t need therapy.”
“You might not, but after tonight, I do.” She laughed, kissed the top of my head, and walked out.
* * *
The next day, Sophie and I must have walked for miles, tried on far too many pairs of shoes, and spent a lot of money.
My cell phone rang as soon as we got home. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw Drake’s name appear on the screen; I’d been thinking about him all day. If anyone could help me sort things out, it would be him.
“Hey, big brother.”
“Gretchen.” I could hear the smile in his voice. “How are you? We all miss you.”
My eyes pricked at his words. “I miss you all so much. It’s funny that you called, because I was going to call you.”
“Is everything okay?”
“It is. I just need my big brother’s advice.”
“I’ll give it my best shot. What’s up?”
Here comes the hard part, talking to Drake about a guy. And not just any guy—his wife’s best friend. This was going to be tough.
“It’s Mason.”
“What about Mason?” His tone changed to concerned big brother.
“We kind of had a thing.” As soon as I said that, I scrunched my eyes closed. “Not that kind of thing.”
“Gretchen, what are you talking about?”
“What would you think if I told you that Mason kissed me last night?” I asked, and there was nothing but silence. “Drake? Did you hear me?”
“Yes, I heard you.” I could imagine him rubbing the back of his neck, trying to figure out the right thing to say.
“If this is too weird for you, I can just talk to Lucy.”
“No, it’s not weird. I mean, it’s weird, but why are you telling me this? Mason is a great guy, and if I had to handpick someone for you, it would be him.”
“What about Lucy?” I absentmindedly twirled my hair between my fingers.
“You lost me. What about her? If you’re wondering if she’d give her blessing, she definitely would. But all your questions make me wonder if you’re using us as an excuse.”
“No, but what if we got together and then broke up? What would that do to Lucy’s relationship with him, or with me, for that matter?” I paused for a few seconds, and when Drake didn’t say anything, I knew he now understood where I was coming from. “It could be awkward, right?”
“Gretchen, we’re family and grown adults. I honestly don’t think that would be an issue. Again, if that’s your only reservation, then it’s not a good one. But something tells me it’s more than that. Please, for the love of God, don’t say it’s Scott.”
“Not in the sense you think, but in a way, I guess it sort of is. I loved him and he hurt me. Please don’t say you told me so, because I know this already. I’m just not sure I’m ready to let someone else into my heart.”
“Then don’t. You’re young and should be having fun. Believe me when I tell you, when you least expect to find the person you’re meant to be with, you will. Sometimes they’re right in front of you. Look, sis, I need to go; Josh is putting dinner on the table. But if you need me, please call.”
“Thanks, Drake. Give everyone my love.”
Sunday dinners were a staple back home. Just knowing they were all together made me miss them even more.
* * *
The next morning, Sophie was sitting downstairs with her bags.
“Where are you going?”
“I came, I saw, and now I’m going.” She smiled at me. “Actually, I’m going with Spencer. We’re going to San Diego today, and then he’ll take me to the airport the day after tomorrow.”
“Wait, what?” I made myself a cup of coffee. “When did you decide this?”
“Yesterday, when we left Gucci. Spencer gave me his number the other night. He texted me last night after you went to bed.” Her face turned a rosy pink, very unlike her. “We decided to hang out a bit. Plus, I know you had plans that I inconveniently screwed up, so I’m going to hang out with him for a while before I leave.”
I stood there, mug in hand, completely dumbfounded, and the gate alarm buzzed.
“That’s my ride.” She grabbed her bag. “Don’t look at me that way.”
“But you just got here.” It was great being with Sophie. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed having her around. The speaker buzzed again, so I clicked the button to raise the gate.
“I know,” she said, “but you’ll be home soon and we can hang out more. Plus, I could use some mindless sex.” She winked. “Have you seen Spencer? He puts the guys at home to shame. It must be all that kale and tofu they eat out here.”
She gave me a hug and then put her hands on my shoulders. “Gretch, I love you like a sister. Please trust in yourself and in Mason. Go have fun with him. Whether you want to admit it or not, you two are perfect together. Put that douche-tool out of your head. Consider Scott a learning experience. He taught you what you don’t want; now go after what you do.”
“Mason probably doesn’t even want to go anymore.” That was a crappy thought, although it could be true.
“Yeah, and I don’t think that Spencer wants to get laid tonight.” She giggled. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
And like that she was gone.
I stood staring at the front door after she left, completely perplexed, until Mason flung the door open. His light gray T-shirt was slung around his neck, and his black running shorts rode low on his hips. My eyes focused on his perfectly sculpted torso covered in a light sheen of sweat.
He frowned, giving me a confused look. “I just saw Sophie leaving with Spencer.”
I plopped on the couch, not knowing how to feel. “They’re hanging out before she flies home.”
After I explained how that all went down, Mason smiled. “Does that mean our trip is back on?”
Maybe Sophie was right. “Do you want it to be? I mean, I’d love to go if you still want to.”
He crouched down, wiped his face with his T-
shirt, and smiled brightly. “Damn straight I do. Go grab your stuff while I make a phone call and take a shower.”
* * *
I’d never seen Mason move so fast. As soon as he finished getting ready, our bags were in the trunk of Jack’s sporty convertible, the top was down, and we were headed north on the Pacific Coast Highway. We briefly discussed our route, but knew we couldn’t do everything we wanted. Mason assured me that one day we’d see it all.
When I kicked off my flip-flops and propped my feet on the dashboard, Mason glanced over at me and smiled. “What?”
“Nothing. You’re adorable.” He looked back toward the road.
I shrugged and clicked on the radio, then synced my phone and waited for my playlist to load. Music wafted through the air as the wind whipped my ponytail around.
“Where’s our first stop?” I asked.
“I thought we’d head up to Santa Barbara and grab lunch.”
“Sounds good to me.” I leaned my head back on my seat. Rather than looking out at where we were going, I focused on the man next to me. “Thank you, Mason.”
He quickly glanced at me. “For what?”
“Everything.” I smiled and started singing along to One Direction, much to Mason’s chagrin.
Before long, he pulled over and parked. The image before us was glorious. A long wooden pier, boats bobbing in the water, couples holding hands, and families enjoying the day.
“Wow, it’s beautiful here.”
“It’s one of my favorite places.” He slid out of the car and opened my door for me. “Let’s do this, shall we?”
I nodded and took his extended hand. We walked to the railing and watched the water for a bit before venturing farther down the wooden dock.
“Wow, this is perfect.” My stomach growled and I felt my face heat.
Mason chuckled. “Let’s get some food in you.”
We went to the best seafood restaurant I’d ever been to. As I was inhaling the lobster roll I’d ordered, Mason said, “So, Sophie and Spencer?”
I shrugged, but not before taking another bite. “She said they’d been texting since his party. They do make a cute couple.” I wiped my mouth. “Not that she wants to be a couple; I think she’s just planning on having great sex.” My eyes went wide as I realized how blunt I’d been. “I mean, you know. Not that they’re going to, but she’s just, well . . .”
Mason chuckled. “I guarantee you, if Spencer is taking her away for a night or two, they’ll have sex.”
“What are you trying to say?” I placed my napkin on my lap. “Are you insinuating that if a woman goes away with a man that they’ll have sex?” I arched a brow.
Now Mason’s eyes were the size of saucers. “No, of course not. I didn’t mean. It’s just . . . um . . .”
I let out a laugh. “Just kidding. I knew what you meant, and I’m sure you’re right.” I popped a french fry into my mouth. “Wow, this food is amazing.”
Mason shook his head. “You’re going to be the death of me on this trip, aren’t you?”
In my best Southern accent and with my hand to my chest, I said, “Why, whatever do you mean?”
“Don’t give me that; you know exactly what I meant. And can it with the Southern drawl. We’re in California, not Tennessee.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “Oh, right. Like, you know, it’s totally bitchin’ here.”
“We’re not in the Valley either. Did they spike your lobster, or did you have another Red Bull when I wasn’t watching?”
I let out a laugh and Mason joined me. Even if our week was cut short, it was going to be a great trip.
CHAPTER 20
~ Mason ~
Being with each other made sense. Gretchen and I didn’t argue; we liked making each other laugh.
Our relationship as friends was simple. Even though I couldn’t shake that nagging feeling about wanting more with her, I knew that pushing the issue wouldn’t be the right thing. Not wanting to be “that guy,” I decided to leave it alone—for now. Granted, that didn’t mean it wouldn’t be part of my nighttime fantasies.
Gretchen and I saw the sunset from the road. It wasn’t exactly how I’d wanted us to see it, reaffirming that nothing ever goes as planned, but her arms were wrapped around me, so it wasn’t a total loss.
We checked into our hotel. When the kind gentleman at the front desk asked if we wanted one or two rooms, I paused before saying, “Two.”
Thankfully, Gretchen and I were on the same floor. Not that it mattered much, but it was strange not being in the same living space with her. It hit me like a ton of bricks when I walked into my quiet room all alone.
* * *
The next two days we spent in quaint towns. We talked to locals and ate at restaurants off the beaten path before getting into the car to move on.
Gretchen’s playlist and music selection were what I’d call eclectic, ranging from Frank Sinatra to One Direction. “Falling In” by Lifehouse came on, and when she started singing, I was lost. I’d heard her sing before, and she belted out tunes in the shower or when she was cooking, but being closed up in the car with her singing with the top up was a different experience altogether.
“You have a beautiful voice; do you know that?”
She let out a sigh. “I love to sing. Scott hated it.”
He was a dick. “What do you mean, he hated it? He didn’t like your voice?”
“Confession.” She smiled at me when I glanced over. “I love karaoke bars.”
“You say that like it’s against the law.”
“It was against Scott’s law.” Her hands went up, and I assumed she was air-quoting her reply.
“Have you talked to him? Has he tried to call?”
Why the hell was I asking that? Oh, that’s right, because there was no way on this planet or any other that I’d let Gretchen get away from me—if she were mine, anyway.
“Couldn’t tell you. I blocked his number. The more I thought about what he said to me and what you told me you saw, I’m over him. I truly am.”
I pulled into Morro Bay and parked the car. “Let’s rock.”
We’d planned to see Morro Rock, and my lame excuse for a joke barely drew a smile from her. Fucking Scott, why were we talking about him?
But in true let me help you fix your life Mason fashion, I said, “Do you want to talk about it?”
She hitched one shoulder as she turned in her seat to face me. “I’m just wondering—did I love him, or was I in love with the idea of love? Or was I not willing to face the fact that what I thought love was, wasn’t love at all, and that if it were love, then we’d still be in love if I was in love in the first place.”
My silence must have confirmed I had no idea what she’d just asked, so she explained.
“What I mean to say is, I don’t think what Scott and I had was love. I believe it was me wanting the fairy tale.”
Instinctively, I reached over to put my hand on top of hers. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting the fairy tale. Everyone wants that perfect romance, but do you know any that are? Look at Drake and Lucy, for instance. They met and had an instant attraction, but it wasn’t perfect. I think when it comes to love, it shouldn’t be perfect. It’s like this trip we’re on. Occasionally, there’ll be a road block. But the question is, do you want to take the detour to make it to your destination, or do you want to turn around and go back? Or worse, do you want to just end it?”
“Wow, you’re better than Dr. Phil.” Her lips curved up.
I brought her hand I was holding to my mouth and gave it a quick kiss. “You deserve the person who will take the detour.”
Her thoughtful eyes looked into mine. Every cell in my body screamed for me to reach out to her, not just emotionally, but physically. I wanted her in my arms, needed her in my arms.
“So do you, Mason.”
* * *
“Let’s take a selfie.” Gretchen turned her phone toward us after we struck a pose. “I’ll post it to Instagra
m.”
She tapped at her phone and asked, “What’s your Instagram name? I’ll tag you.”
After I told her, she went to work. I’d never seen thumbs move so quick. I glanced over her shoulder to see her post. We looked great together, if I did say so myself.
GRETCHEN: At Morro Rock. #RockHard @CoachGoalKick
The notification beeped on my phone, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the hashtag. I replied with #truth.
It only took seconds for our phones to start frantically beeping with notifications.
DANE: #BetterBeTalkingAboutTheRock
LUCY: So cute. #lovethis
DRAKE: #WatchIt @CoachGoalKick
GRETCHEN: #calmdown
SPENCER: #RightOn
SOPHIE: #GetemGirl
JACK: #KeepYourHandsToYourself
GRETCHEN: #DontYouWork
Gretchen and I were in tears laughing. Even though I knew I was playing with fire, I couldn’t help but reply.
MASON: #Shit #SorryItSlipped
SPENCER: #ThatsWhatSheSaid
JOSH: #GetARoom
GRETCHEN: #Later ;)
DANE: #ShutUpJosh
SOPHIE: #Jealous #StuckWithGoofy
SPENCER: #HeyImGoofy
SOPHIE: #LOL
DRAKE: #Don’t make me come there.
JACK: #PlaneIsReady
GRETCHEN: #sigh
After we collected ourselves from the hashtag war, we took a few more pictures of the giant rock. Who knew her entire family posted on Instagram?
Clouds began to roll in, and Gretchen rubbed her arms. “Looks like we’re going to get a storm. Maybe we should find a hotel before everyone else has the same idea.”
She was right. The sky had turned from cheery to ominous in a heartbeat. We hustled back to the car and made our way down the road. Small pellets of hail struck the windshield.
Charmed: A Prescott Novel (The Prescott Series Book 3) Page 15
