Page 141 of Stolen Moments

“Oh, yeah. That guy definitely wants to rip my head off.” Graham hides his smile with his glass.

“Oh, stop. He does not.”

“He does. I don’t blame him. You’re a catch. It’s a shame we’ve got no spark. But I think having you as my friend is even better. I haven’t had one in a very long time.”

My heart softens at his vulnerability. I hope the woman Graham falls for treats him right. He’s one of the good ones.

It would have been easy if there was a spark between us, but there is only one man my body calls for, and it’s the broody one glaring holes into the back of my head.

“Me too, Graham.”

“So… What are you going to do about him?”

I groan. “Why does everyone keep asking me that?”

Not counting the rapid-fire questions Rylann threw at me earlier, I spent an hour on the phone with Chris last night, lying through my teeth about being over Mason. My brother did not believe one word of my bullshit. To be honest, neither did I.

“What do you think I should do?”

“Nope. Only you have the answer to that question.”

“Why is this so hard?”

“Because it’s love. Love is a complicated emotion. It’s not easy to find or to hold onto. You have to work at that part, and all that hard work makes the love you find so much more special when it’s with the person you’re supposed to spend the rest of your life with.”

“Thanks, old wise one.” I playfully roll my eyes at him.

He’s right, though. It is special when you find the right person.

“Funny,” my friend huffs, self-consciously running a hand over the sprinkle of gray at his temple. “I’m going to give you some space.”

“No, don’t go.”

“I’m not leaving. I’m just afraid your man will murder me before the night ends if I don’t walk away now.”

“What?”

Graham pops his chin, and I feel it. Goosebumps spread across my skin like wildfire as the air grows thicker and sparks crackle.

“That’s my cue. Good luck. You’re going to need it because that man is clearly still in love with you. Stop denying you’re in love with him too. Talk to him. Figure your shit out.” He taps the bar, grabs his drink, and disappears into the crowd.

Seconds pass before Mason presses his chest to my back and whispers in my ear, “Hey, baby doll.”

“Mason.” His name is my next breath, a prayer on my lips.

“One look at you in this dress, and you took my breath away. You’re gorgeous, Emery. The most beautiful woman in the room.” His fingertips skim over my shoulder, spreading flames of heat across the back of my neck.

The world dissolves around me as his spicy cologne envelops me. My heart stutters in my chest, and my knees wobble. His breath fans across my face as he places a soft kiss on the apple of my cheek. His large hands grip my shoulders as he turns me around, bringing us face to face.

Now, it’s my turn for my breath to get taken away. Mason looks different tonight. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still hot as hell wearing a black tuxedo that fits perfectly to his broad shoulders and chest. His shaggy hair is swept back from his face but still manages to curl at the ends the way I like. His green eyes sparkle as his lips turn up at the edge, fighting a smirk.

The music changes, and the band’s lead singer calls out for everyone to turn their attention to the door as the bride and groom make their way into the banquet room.

Everyone cheers as the two take the dance floor for their first dance. The opening chords of a slowed-down R&B version of Barry White’sI Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babebegin as Jace and Rylann sway back and forth. You can see the hearts in their eyes as they stare at each other. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

Mason wipes his thumb under my eye, catching the tear I didn’t feel roll down my cheek.

“Take a walk with me?” He holds out his hand.

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