Page 125 of Promise Me Not

Wait.

“Did you sayDisneyland?”

Mason grins wide. “Better soak up these next two days of early morning breeze, Pretty Little, ‘cause the three after that, that breeze will be rolling in on a balcony overlooking downtown Disney.”

I try to rein in my excitement, I really, really do, but I can’t help the squeal that escapes, and I dive into his arms, hugging him tight.

When I pull back, I realize I’m half in his lap, and his hand is running up and down my spine.

I chew my lip, and Mason leans forward.

My lips part, but Mason reaches past me, handing me my mug.

“Here you go,” he rasps, tucking it into my hands.

I take it and face the water, but I don’t move from his lap, and he doesn’t ask me to.

We sit there in the early morning, enjoying each other’s company in complete and utter silence.

It’s the most relaxed I’ve felt in weeks.

But there’s something about Mason that soothes me, isn’t there?

Something that’s always there beneath my skin, hovering. Heating. Reminding me of the man who’s had my back when he didn’t have to.

“I’m happy you’re here,” I admit.

His lips slide along my temple, and he whispers so low, I’m not so sure he intended for me to hear. “Where you are is where I want to be.”

I close my eyes at the thought, basking in the warmth his words bring.

It’s going to be a good week.

“Come on,come on. It starts in five minutes.” I drag Mason by the wrist, literally, and he chuckles all the way, Deaton strappedto his chest in the little carrier he demanded I let him buy on the drive out here.

“You know, for a girl with face paint on, you’re kind of bossy.”

“Because a unicorn horn and glittery rainbow cheeks deem me a sweetheart.” I laugh. “If I miss this, you’re gonna get it.”

“Kind of tempted to make us miss it just to see what that means.”

I don’t have to look back to see if he’s smirking. I know he is.

“Keep it up, Johnson, and I’ll steal all your blankets tonight.”

The chuckle that leaves him is dark, and I don’t dare peek his way, realizing it was not the right thing to say and well aware my chest is on fire right now.

We make it to the gate with two minutes to spare, only for me to learn the lightning passes come with a grace period in case you are, in fact, late. Oh well, I wasn’t about to risk it.

We’re pretty much at the front of the line and stepping into the large bucket-like contraptions faster than I expected.

Mason chuckles suddenly, a soft and airy sound, and I look over to find him staring.

“What?”

His lips are curved to one side, and he shakes his head. “I like how excited you are for this ride, as if there isn’t a Ferris wheel in Oceanside you can go ride anytime you want.”

“Oh, Superstar, you haven’t put it together yet?” I grin, unclipping my travel case and pulling out my camera, pointing my finger at the sky before us.

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