by Ali Parker
Chapter 56
Mason
When Dalton called asking me to hang out with him and help him pick out a couple new outfits for his upcoming business trip, I quickly agreed. My enthusiastic agreement to spend the afternoon shopping with him instantly put him on alert. I had an ulterior motive to agreeing to the shopping spree. I walked through the mall, my eyes scanning the names of the stores as I moved to the central area where I was supposed to be meeting Dalton. I couldn’t remember the last time I had been inside a mall. It was a little strange. Half the people looked like they had all the time in the world, slowly walking along, sipping coffee drinks while others rushed past, carrying bags and acting as if they were in a race for their lives.
Dalton was waving his hand from his seat on a bench in front of a large water fountain. “You made it. Holy shit. I never thought I would see you in a mall.”
I grimaced, looking around at the bustling people. “I’m not sure this is my thing. When I was thirteen, it was cool, but now, it seems very, uh, not cool.”
“Not cool for a biker dude, but it is cool for a guy like me who needs some new clothes to impress the ladies and the clients.”
I scoffed. “And that can only be done by coming here?”
“Yes. I like the stores in here. Come on. Quit bitching and let’s do this.”
I sighed, following him as he began a slow meandering walk down the wide corridor. My eyes scanned the storefronts. I had done a quick Google search and knew there was a shop in the mall somewhere that would suit my needs.
I saw it and immediately went aside, forgetting all about the fact I was supposed to be following Dalton. I went straight up to the counter and fished out the keyring in my pocket.
“Good afternoon, can I help you?” an older gentleman asked.
“I need to get a key made,” I said, sliding it off the ring and handing it over.
The man took it, nodding his head. “I can do that. Give me just a few minutes.”
“What are you doing?” Dalton asked, coming to stand beside me.
“I need a new house key,” I said casually.
He raised his eyebrows. “For a hide-a-key?”
I shook my head. “No, I’m giving it to Adelaide.”
His mouth dropped open and his eyes nearly popped out of his head. “What? Like in case you get locked out? You know I have one,” he said with disbelief.
“Not in case I get locked out. I want her to move in with me,” I said.
Dalton ran a hand over his face. “What?”
His green eyes turned that dark shade they always did when he was angry or upset about something. I wasn’t sure why he would be mad. Adelaide wasn’t actually his sister and I was his best friend. He should be on my side in this.
“Are you pissed?” I snapped.
He shook his head. “No, no, nothing like that.”
“Then what the hell is this reaction about?” I growled.
He didn’t get a chance to answer me. The man brought back the key. I quickly paid him before sliding it in my pocket and walking out of the store. Dalton had some explaining to do. I wanted to know why he thought I wasn’t good enough for Adelaide, why he thought it was a bad idea and it was clear that he did. I knew him too well for him to try and tell me otherwise.
“Wait up,” Dalton hollered as I took long strides toward a bench positioned between two shops.
“Sit and tell me what the fuck is going through your head,” I demanded.
We both sat down. “You’re getting pissed over nothing,” he began.
“You have a problem with me and Adelaide being together?” I asked, automatically defensive.
“No, I don’t have a problem with it.”
“Dalton, I can see it all over your face. You don’t like the idea,” I stated.
He let out a long breath. “I think you might be rushing things,” he blurted out.
“Why do you think that?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“You’ve never been in a long-term relationship. You and Addy are still kind of new. You’re in the honeymoon phase. I’m sure things are great with you right now, but what happens when the newness fades away? You invested in her business. You spend a lot of time at that business—you’re moving fast,” he stated.
“I know what I want and I’m pretty confident I know what she wants.”
“Are you? Have you talked to her about any of this?” he asked.
I shrugged a shoulder. “Not like actually talked with the words, but I know her. I know she’s happy and we are always together anyway,” I reasoned.
He slowly shook his head. “You’re happy with the way things are now. Pushing it too fast might be a little overwhelming for her. Hell, for you as well. You’ve had a crazy couple of months. I know you two are really into each other, but what’s the rush?”
I stared at a sign above a store advertising luxury chocolates. “There isn’t a rush, but why wait? When you know something is right, why not go after it?”
“Because Adelaide has had a lot of changes thrown at her. She is closed for business while you guys renovate and is getting ready to embark on a new journey with that business. She has poured her life’s blood into that shop the past few years. Another big change might be the very thing that breaks the camel’s back so to speak,” he said.
I shook my head. “She isn’t going to break. She’s happy. Why would she want to spend so much time with me if she wasn’t happy with me?” I asked.
“I’m not saying she isn’t happy, but you’re moving fast. I know you. You are the kind of guy who goes all in. You don’t half-ass anything, which is great, but this is a huge decision. Are you sure you’re ready for that kind of commitment?” he asked, looking me directly in the eyes.
“Yes,” I said unequivocally.
“I had a feeling you would say that.”
“Dalton, I’m ready to start my life with her. I’m not a teenager who falls in and out of love as often as I change my underwear. I’m not a serial dater who drifts from one relationship to the other. I know what I’m doing, and I know what I want. I want her,” I said firmly, not leaving any room for second-guessing.
The look on his face reminded me of someone who has just stepped in a big pile of dog shit. “Mason, you know you’re a lot to handle. You’re big, aggressive and take-no-prisoners.”
I nodded, agreeing with his assessment. “Yep.”
He chuckled. “Confident and cocky as well.”
“What’s your point? Adelaide knows all of that. We’ve worked through all those things that were between us,” I told him.
“My point is sometimes you get an idea in your head and you see nothing else. You get focused on it and you go for it. I don’t want you to risk losing Adelaide,” he said, gentling his tone.
“Why would I lose her? I’m serious about her. I know she feels something for me.”
“If you’re so confident in your relationship, what’s the harm in pumping the brakes, slowing things down a minute and letting nature take its course? I mean, what if the shop opens up and is a complete failure? You don’t think that is going to cause some strain between the two of you?”
“It’s not going to be a failure.”
He groaned, shaking his head and looking away. “I hope it isn’t and I don’t think it will be, but business is never a sure thing and it is definitely not easy. She’s got some long days ahead of her and I know Adelaide. She can get pretty cranky when she’s stressed out.”
“That’s why she needs me there to help shoulder some of the stress. I’m going to be there to help her work through the tough stuff. I’m going to be there to help her get through it all,” I insisted.
He nodded. “I have no doubt you will. I know you are a good guy and you will be there to support her.”
“Dalton, I’ve got this,” I said, not willing to discuss it any longer.
I had already made up my mind. I knew what I wanted, and I was confident she was interested in the
same things I was for our future. We clicked. We could finish each other’s sentences and knew just what the other needed.
He shrugged and held up his hands in defeat. “Okay, fine. I said my piece. I won’t nag you. Please, please think about this before you make your move.”
“I’ve already thought about it. I can feel it in my gut that this is right. This is what we’re supposed to do.”
He burst into laughter. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you quite so sure about something. I admire your resolve and I really do hope for the best for you and Adelaide. I care about both of you and I hope this lasts. I like the change I see in both of you,” he said.
I got up from the bench. “Good. Now, let’s get those clothes you need so I can get over to Adelaide’s place.”
He smirked, getting up and leading the way toward the store he had chosen. I browsed the clothes hanging on the racks, none of them appealing to me. They were too uptight.
“See anything you like?” he asked.
I curled my lip. “No.”
“Come on, you’re this whole new man. Isn’t it time for a new look?” he asked.
“No.”
“I like this for you,” he said, holding up a polo shirt with some weird emblem on it.
“Fuck that. I’m not going to play golf,” I growled.
“Don’t you have business meetings and stuff like that now that you’re into investing?” he said with a smile.
“I do, but what I have in my closet works fine.”
“That’s how you get doors open. You scare the shit out of people. Do you wear your leather when you go to convince people to give you permits?” he asked skeptically.
I shrugged. “No, not always.”
He laughed, shaking his head and going back to browsing the racks. I knew I was unconventional. I didn’t know how else to be. I didn’t know how to fake pleasantries or pretend to be something I wasn’t. I was me and if people didn’t like it, that was too bad. I didn’t need friends. I had Dalton and Deanna and now I had Adelaide. They were the only people I needed in my life.
“I think I have everything,” Dalton said, coming toward me with an armload of clothes.
“Holy shit. I thought you said you were grabbing a couple of things,” I said, looking at the numerous shirts, ties and slacks hanging off his arm.
“I can’t afford not to look good. It’s my good looks and charming smile that makes the sales,” he said with a laugh.
I groaned. “It’s too bad you have such low self-esteem.”
I waited with him while he paid for his purchases. We browsed a few more stores, checking out the goods before we walked past a jewelry store. I stopped and made a move to go inside. Dalton grabbed my arm. “No way.”
“What?” I asked.
“You have a key. You absolutely have to slow down,” he said, completely serious.
I looked at the cases of jewelry and then back at him. “I wasn’t going to buy anything. I just wanted to get some ideas.”
“About?”
“About what this kind of thing costs, what it looks like and stuff like that,” I said.
“Buying a ring or any other jewelry is something you need to take very seriously. Don’t even think about walking in one of those stores without thinking it through,” he said.
I nodded, knowing he was right. It was a big step, but one I knew I wanted to make some day. I had never even looked at jewelry and wasn’t sure where to start. I’d save that feat for another time.
Chapter 57
Adelaide
I tossed in another load of laundry, happy to finally be caught up. I loved staying at Mason’s house, but I had missed my quiet time. I missed lounging in my jammies, eating ice cream out of the carton and watching stupid reality shows. I had lived alone for almost ten years. It was an old habit and hard to break but I took comfort from being alone.
I had my hair up, another pair of ratty shorts on and my favorite T-shirt from a concert I had gone to see forever ago. It was faded and worn, with a tiny hole in the armpit. It had seen better days, but it was my absolute favorite thing to wear when I was working around the house.
I picked up a shoe that had been discarded and looked around for the other one, finding it under the couch. I couldn’t remember when it had gotten there. I’d been running at full speed for weeks between the renovations and spending time with Mason, and I felt like I hadn’t had time to take a breath. I inhaled deeply, taking the breath I had felt I was missing.
The shoes in hand, I went into my room, opening my closet and tossing them inside. I didn’t bother with racks. They took way too much effort and my shoes always ended up on the floor anyway. I made the bed with the fresh sheets I pulled from the dryer and was about to sit down and binge on the ice cream I had picked up earlier when I heard a knock on the door.
I walked out, expecting it to be Deanna and finding Mason standing there instead. “Miss me already?” I said with a grin.
He laughed. “Something like that.”
I pulled open the door wider, letting him walk past me. I closed the door, my plans for a quiet night alone with the ice cream and TV gone. I didn’t mind. I wanted to spend time with him.
“What have you got there?” I asked, looking at the bag in his hands.
He smiled, shrugging a shoulder. “A little something special.”
He reached inside and pulled out a bottle of wine, putting it down on my kitchen counter before pulling out a box of crackers and some of the gourmet cheese he had introduced me to some time ago.
“That looks nice. What’s the occasion?” I asked.
He reached his hand back into the bag before pulling out a small, blue velvet drawstring bag. “Nothing special. Can’t a guy just stop by with a bottle of wine?”
“What’s in that?” I said, pointing to the velvet bag he was holding back.
He grinned, that sexy smile on his lips sending a flash of heat through my body. “It’s a surprise.”
“What kind of surprise?”
“You’ll have to wait,” he teased.
I scowled, reaching for the bag only to have him move his hand before I could get it. I lunged for him, trying to grab it, but his arm went around my waist, holding me against him while he stretched out his arm away from me.
“Mason!” I said playfully.
“Adelaide,” he said in a high-pitched voice.
I struggled to reach for it, his arm like a vise around my waist and keeping me against him. I tried a new tactic, going up on my bare toes to give him a kiss that would hopefully make him forget why he was holding the bag away from me.
He kissed me back, searing me with his hot passion. It wasn’t long before I forgot why I was wrestling him at all, passion clouding my ability to think. He released me, putting the bag in my hand.
“What is it?” I asked, confused by how flat and light it was.
“Open it and find out,” he said in a soft voice.
I stepped back and opened it up, pulling out a key on a plain gold keyring. I held it up, wondering why he had a key in a velvet bag. “What is this?”
“It’s a key.”
I rolled my eyes. “I can see that, but why are you giving me a key? Is this to the shop?”
It was his turn to roll his eyes. “You have the keys to the shop. That’s a key to my apartment.”
“Oh,” I said, not sure what he was getting at.
He grabbed my hand and looked me in the eyes. I nearly got lost in them, just like I did every time he looked at me. “Adelaide, I’m giving you a key because I want you to move in with me. You’ll need a key to get in.”
My mouth suddenly went very dry. “Uh, what?” I squeaked.
I needed to sit down before I fell down. I managed to get myself into a chair from the dining room, staring at the key in my hand.
He pulled out the other chair, pulling it toward me, our knees touching. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. This just took me by surprise
,” I told him.
“Will you? Will you move in with me? We spend so much of our time together already. I want to wake up every morning with you beside me and go to bed every night with you in my arms. I want us to lay around on Sundays without one of us having to go home. This feels right,” he said, holding my hand and looking at me with such hope I couldn’t say no.
“Okay,” I whispered.
He grinned. “Okay?”
I smiled at him, reaching up with one hand to cup his cheek. “Yes, okay. I will move in with you.”
The look of joy on his face made me happy. He got up and grabbed two of my mismatched wine glasses from the cupboard and poured wine for each of us. I took a long drink, hoping to quiet the nagging in my head. I couldn’t help but feel like it was moving incredibly fast between us.
“Cheese and crackers?” he asked, opening the box.
“Sure, yes please. I was about to dig into a pint of Rocky Road, but I suppose cheese and crackers is probably a little healthier.”
“You can have ice cream, but I know how much you loved this cheese,” he commented.
I nodded my head. “I do,” I said, trying to stay in the moment.
My mind kept drifting, thinking about living with him. Cohabitating was no joke. I didn’t know if I could live with a man, especially Mason Bancroft. I couldn’t afford a quarter of what his mortgage payment must be. I would have to figure out the subway and how long it would take me to get to work every day. I wouldn’t be able to sit back and stay in my pajamas all day if I didn’t feel like getting dressed. I would have to do a better job of cleaning up after myself.
“Did you hear me?” Mason asked.
I looked at him. “I’m sorry, what’d you say?”
“I asked if you wanted anything else,” he said.
