Page 70 of Yours To Hold
I love being with Mason. He’s tender and thoughtful, and even better than I could have imagined.
Love?
Could I possibly be in love with Mason Winchester?
There’s no way. We said this would be a summer fling. Nothing serious.
I’ll be gone soon.
But as we head back to his truck, I realize I’m not ready to leave.
The ride home is quiet. We’re all tired after riding all the rides twice and gorging on funnel cakes. This time, because Willow is asleep, I’m holding Mason’s hand as he drives.
I want this little bit of him. Any bit. Because now that I’ve had that fleeting thought, I don’t want to let go of him. Even if I’ll be heading home when we get back to Mason’s, I’ll take any seconds I can with him.
By the time we get back, I’m dozing in the front seat.
“Let me get Willow to bed before you leave?” Mason asks, taking the still sleeping Willow into his arms.
“Sure.”
I open the door for him and head into the living room while he goes to her room.
The living room is a mess. Willow and I didn’t get a chance to clean up before we left. Evidence of our day—painting, building bricks, dress-up clothes—you name it, it’s on the floor. All the photos we’ve taken together this summer clutter the kitchen counter.
It has emotion clogging my throat.
This is what I missed out on growing up. For as long as I can remember, my parents were always at each other’s throats. I spent most days in my room or at Gemma’s. I never had this.
Playing. Making messes. Exploring.
No matter how much Mason says he feels like Willow is missing out, she isn’t.
That little girl is so loved by everyone she knows, she’ll never feel like I am now.
“You okay?” Mason’s voice startles me from behind.
“I’m good.” I pad quietly over to him, wrapping my arms around him. Breathing him in.
I love that fresh laundry scent. It’s all Mason. He can’t be bothered with cologne.
“I wish you could stay the night.” He squeezes me to him.
“I know. But tonight was pretty perfect already.”
“Yeah?” He drops his forehead to mine, his mouth a breath from mine. “Did you have fun?”
I smile against his lips, mimicking Willow’s words.
“Best night ever.”
ChapterNineteen
MASON
“Why are you still here?” Peter yells at me from across the office.
“Because the wrong artwork was sent to the canning distributor and it needs to be fixed.”
