I sighed. It wasn’t like I’d asked to be privy to that knowledge. It just seemed to be the result of living above his garage. I was rapidly becoming acutely aware of his life and his family. Like, I knew where his kitchen was based on the activity coming through the sliding door in the back at the barbeque, and I knew just how much his family loved him based on how they’d talked to him when they were here.
I wasn’t spying on him.
Okay, technically, watching someone when they didn’t know it was spying, but I wasn’t doing it on purpose. I’d been caught off guard. And he was the one who’d left his blinds open. He had to take some responsibility for that.
“Mom!” Parker’s voice called down to me, snapping me back to reality.
I needed to get my feet moving. The last thing I needed was Parker coming out and catching me.
But Parker wasn’t going to wait for me. He zoomed past me on the stairs and rushed to Mason’s place. I panicked, still feeling guilty for standing there so long. Not knowing what else to do, and not wanting Parker to barge in on Mason, I set my backpack on the stairs and took off after him.
“Parker!” I called in warning just as he slipped through the sliding door.
Great. Maybe I could get him before Mason knew we were in his house, and then I could convince him to spend a quiet evening at home and forget this football nonsense.
Yeah, and maybe I’d try out for the women’s Olympic soccer team next week.
“Parker,” I whispered as I slipped through the door he’d left open. “Parker?”
Mason’s kitchen was orderly. I would have expected nothing less from a former Army ranger. I ran my hand over the smooth granite countertop and admired the stainless steel appliances. The man had taste.
Mason and Parker appeared in the doorway.
The world around me stilled as I took in Mason’s damp hair and white t-shirt. His cheeks were still pink, no doubt from his workout. And he looked so at ease as he entered the kitchen in his bare feet, dipping his head down and giving Parker his undivided attention.
Parker looked equally at ease as he allowed Mason to guide him. With Mason listening to every word, Parker talked with his hands, so much more animated than he’d been when telling me the same story.
I glared at Mason.
The two walked right past me and headed for the fridge, where Mason loaded Parker up with a carton of eggs.
“And then she tells me that I’m holding my pencil wrong and didn’t I learn better in the second grade.” Parker chucked the eggs onto the counter.
I cringed. Mason didn’t blink.
“What did you say?” He grabbed a skillet out of the drawer under the stove and a small bowl with a flat bottom from the cupboard.
I folded my arms and huffed.
Mason must have heard me because, a moment later, he raised his gaze to meet mine. He didn’t hesitate to wink at me, his eyes full of mischief and a softness for Parker.
I had to grab for something to keep me on my feet for the second time in less than fifteen minutes. I decided to move my focus elsewhere, and squinted at Mason’s hair, noting the way it shined in the light. Just washed. Probably smelling yummy like men’s body wash.
Of course. Military men showered fast. I’d forgotten that about Adam. Unlike him, I could get lost in the steam and the coconut smell of my shampoo and conditioner. I figured it was the closest I was going to get to Hawaii, and I could enjoy it all I wanted.
“I told her to mind her own business and worry more about her spelling test because she’d missed four today.” Parker beamed, so proud of his comeback.
I silently cheered him on.
Mason frowned. “She had it coming…”
“Yeah she did.” Parker nodded.
“But,” Mason’s one word had my eyes locked on him like a laser. “We need to remember that girls are special. They aren’t like us guys who can punch someone and be best friends again.”
Parker’s forehead crinkled with confusion. “I don’t hit girls.”
“Good. Your mama raised you right, then.” He locked eyes with me. “And she’s set a good example of a lady.”
My face lit on fire. A lady? No one had called me that before. A woman, sure. But a lady? That sounded so proper—so respectful. Did he really think of me like that?
“And one day this girl will grow into a lady too, and she’ll know better than to criticize every little thing a man does.”
I rolled my eyes at him, and he smothered his smile. His eyes still twinkled, but I couldn't be that upset with him. He was, after all, teaching my boy to be a gentleman.
“I hope she figures it out soon because it’s going to be a long year if she doesn't.”
I snorted a laugh and then coughed to cover it up. My poor little man, having to deal with a bossy woman all year. What a cutie.
My eyes met Mason’s, and I could see him struggle to keep his composure as well. We weren’t helping one another, and so I dropped my gaze to the eggs. “What are those for?”
“Me and Mason are making French toast. He says I’m old enough to help.”
I glanced at Mason. He lifted a shoulder. “You want some?”
I laid my hand over my stomach. I had ice cream not too long ago, but… “I could eat.” A couple pieces would be great; then I wouldn’t have to come up with something later. “What can I do?”
He shoved the eggs and the bowl at me. “Crack those and beat them. I’ll find the bread.”
Mason bought the expensive high-protein bread that I secretly loved but rarely splurged on. It was filled with nuts and seeds, and my stomach started rumbling just knowing it was in the same room.
Mason continued to ply Parker with questions as they dipped each piece of bread in the egg mixture and dropped it into the skillet.
I rummaged for plates, butter, and jam. When I came up with the strawberry jam, Mason’s eyes lit up. “You like jam on French toast?”
“Doesn’t everyone?” I asked as I set it on the table.
He gave me a lopsided grin. “Only those with high IQs.”
I laughed and then caught myself. For a moment, I’d forgotten that he was Mason and I was Sadie and that there was a river of life and heartache that was supposed to keep us apart. It unsettled me. I stepped into the hallway and took a couple deep breaths, popping back in just as they were setting our full plates on the table.
I managed to keep things surface level for the meal—until Parker had to run to the bathroom.
“It’s the second door on the left.” I pointed down the hallway.
Mason looked at me sideways. “How did you know that?”
I wanted to smack myself. I should have waited for him to give directions. “A guess,” I offered lamely. “The small window outside.” I waved my hand in a general direction.
My answer seemed to satisfy him. He leaned back from his plate and stared down at it. “Are you and Camden…?” He left the question hanging there for me to fill in the rest. It wasn’t difficult.
“We have a class together, and he invited me for coffee.” I stood up and rushed my plate to the sink, where I washed it by hand, scrubbing at the jelly marks.
Parker ran back in. “Can we play football now?” He grabbed Mason’s hand and began tugging.