Page 47 of Please Hate Me

“Do you have any cravings?” I asked.

She eyed me, shocked, like I had just asked what color underwear she had on.

“Ain’t asking for any reason other than curiosity,” I explained.

“Curiosity killed the cat.”

“But satisfaction brought it back.” I finished the saying for her.

Her inharmonious gaze bore into mine. Mason had the type of face that didn’t feel real—like a painting, or an overly-edited picture of a model. But she was real, living and breathing right in front of me.

“From the pictures you showed me, your daughter is gonna be the spittin’ image of her mama.”Thankfully.“I’m just curious if she’s got any of my traits.”

“Like what? Your accent?” She laughed like I’d said something dumb, but I let her weak attempt at venom roll off me. I was used to dealing with Lucian’s mouth, and Mason was a saint compared to him.

“Well, I once read that it’s not uncommon for mothers to crave foods that their… sperm donors—”Was that a good way to say that?“—like to eat. I got one hell of a sweet tooth.”

A look of embarrassment twisted her features before she buried her nose in her book. “That’s not true.”

I shrugged. I’d pulled that fact out of my ass, so I wasn’t bothered if she didn’t believe it. “Thought you’d be a good way to test that.”

Mason ignored me as she tried and failed to turn the page in her book. She then licked her finger before flipping the page. What a gross habit.

My mouth went dry as I tried to search for a topic that would help her open up instead of shutting me down. I studied the cover of her book,I Think My Neighbor is a Vampire!, and I realized it was the same one Sophia had bought on our last trip to the bookstore. I thought it sounded dumb, but to each their own. I didn’t really take Mason for someone who would read romance novels, so I wondered if she was settling for whatever books we had on hand.

“If ya want, we can make a trip to–”

“Do you like ice cream?” she interrupted, putting her book down to look at me.

“I uh… yeah, but only soft serve.” The regular stuff gave me heartburn, but I wasn’t keen to tell her that.

“... Doyoulike ice cream?”

Mason looked at me like that was a trick question, and I remembered Luce saying something about her dad making her starve herself. Usually, I took everything Lucian said with a grain of salt; his heart was good, he was just dramatic. But, as she shifted uncomfortably under the weight of my question, I wondered if there was any merit to his comment.

“Can I be honest with ya?” I asked.

“Preferably.”

I took a deep breath as I prepared myself for what I was fixing to say. Going out in public with Mason was a bad idea, but my congregation usually only gathered in Hartwood. It wasn’t like I was gonna ask her on a date or anything, either. I was just taking care of my baby mama.

It was the right thing to do.

“Soph’s been really gettin’ on me about my eatin’ habits, but there’s an ice cream stand about forty-five minutes out… it’s seriously the best soft serve you’ll ever have.” I tried to emphasize the truth of my statement, rather than the lie that preceded it. “I’ve been wantin’ a vanilla cone from there for the last three months.”

“... Then go get one? You’re an adult.” Mason lifted her book, and while I knew she was tired, the nagging voice in my head was begging me not to leave tonight at this.

“If I go by myself, I’m gonna get a real stern talkin’ to when I get back…. But ifwego, it’ll look like I’m just takin’ care of you.”

Part of me thought she’d tell me to fuck off, but there was a small sparkle in her eyes.

“So, you’re asking for my help?”

That idea seemed to excite her, and I wondered if this was an uncommon experience for her. Still, I didn’t mind letting her think she was being helpful. I nodded, and a fleeting smile took over Mason’s lips. It wasn’t big, but it gave me the chance to appreciate the small gap in her teeth.

“Let me get dressed. I’ll pay, so don’t even think about bringing your wallet.”

We made it to the shoreside ice cream shop just before sunset. Mason asked for a hot fudge sundae, and I ordered the same. Then, we rested at a nearby picnic table and watched thesky fade from salmon to violet. Stars began to appear, poking through the impending darkness.

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