Page 19 of Bourbon & Bonfires

Mason and I are settling into our new life in Lexington. Dr. Burning is a great boss and keeps life interesting at the office, even if his sense of humor is slightly silly and corny. I’ve been attending yoga classes regularly, and breakfast after our Saturday class has become a regular thing for Dakota, Minnie, and me. Mason started a new job and as much as it kills me, I’m not asking him two dozen questions about what he’s doing. I know he’s working with a friend of Taylor’s and learning a skill. He promised me he’d make me something and surprise me with it. He and my brother indulged me with a few guarantees: one, it is not illegal and two, he enjoys it. That’s good enough for me. For now.

But today is the day I finally get to see where Mason works. He sent me a text earlier, asking if I could pick him up this evening. To my surprise, the address he gave me for his work is not a business; it’s a house. I’m not quite sure what he could be doing at someone’s home, but from the last time I dared look in his room, he’s not a housekeeper.

Pulling up to the house, I glance around the neighborhood. The homes sit on lots larger than my rental, which I envy. A few of the homes remind me of shows I watched as a kid, very 1970s. I park in the driveway behind a truck and tap out a quick text to Mason letting him know I’m here. When he doesn’t respond right away, I hit the phone icon and listen to the phone ring until the voicemail picks up. This kid. I swear he’s going to drive me to an early grave.

I guess I’m going to not only see where my son works, but with whom. As I exit my car and begin walking toward the front door, I hear loud music behind the house. That would probably explain why he didn’t answer my text or call. Diverting my destination from the front of the house to the back, I walk down the driveway to the garage. The large door is closed, but I spot the side door ajar, and as I approach the door and peek my head in, I’m hit with the smell of wood and the sounds of loud rock music and my son’s laughter. I’ve missed that sound. What I didn’t expect to be greeted with were the green eyes of Landon Montgomery.

“Mom!” Mason shouts as he runs up to me. It isn’t until he’s snapping his fingers in my face, laughing, that I pull my gaze from a now smiling Landon.

“I tried texting and calling you when I got here.”

“Sorry, I didn’t hear it,” he says, looking at his feet. When Landon clears his throat behind him, Mason looks up wide-eyed. “Oh crap, sorry. Hey Mom, this is Landon. My boss.”

“I’d say co-worker is more like it. How are you, Addison?” Landon smiles at me and dammit if I don’t smile back.

“Do you know my mom?”

“We’ve met,” I say quickly. “Are you ready to go? It’s getting late, and we need to figure out something for dinner.”

“Yeah, sure. But first, I want to show you what we’re doing. It’s so cool.” I begrudgingly follow Mason around the garage, or what he callsthe shop, as he points out various pieces of furniture and large art pieces hanging on the wall. I’m in awe of the craftsmanship, but more importantly I’m floored by the way Mason beams as he explains everything to me. Who knew my kiddo was into woodworking?

“This is really great, buddy.” I turn to Landon and plaster on a fake smile. “Thank you for showing him all of this,” I say, waving my arm around the room.

“Mason is a natural, and I’m lucky to have him. Don’t forget to show your mom your special project.”

I turn to Mason whose eyes go wide as he claps his hands and turns and walks to the far end of the room. I realize after he’s stepped away that Landon has actually moved closer to me; I can feel his breath on the back of my neck. Shivers run up my spine as I attempt to move away from him, but he places his hand on my shoulder.

“Addison, I think you have the wrong idea about something.”

Turning to face him, I take a step to the side and raise an accusing brow at him. “I think I understand perfectly. Mason, let’s go.”

“Here, this is what I’m working on,” Mason says as he holds a small box out to me. I take the box from him and run my fingers across the top.

“Mason, did you make this?” I ask, wonderment filling my voice.

“I did. It’s cool, right? Landon said the best way to learn is to just build. So I thought maybe a late Christmas present for you would be the best thing to start with. Do you like it?”

“Sweetie, I love it. It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

“Cool. I’m ready now. Can we get pizza?”

I groan. This kid and his pizza. I get it; he’s a teenager and burns calories by being awake. But what he forgets is I am not a teenager and pizza is my weakness. And my nemesis.

“How about something else? Maybe somewhere with salad?”

“I know the perfect place,” Landon says.

“That’s fine, we’ll figure it out. Let’s go, Mason.”

I don’t bother waiting for a response and walk out of the garage and down the driveway to my car. I tap the fob once to unlock the door and climb in behind the wheel. My heart is racing, and I’m so pissed at myself for reacting this way. I’m not sure what I’m feeling at this point. Excitement at seeing him again, which is stupid because he’s a jerk, and frustration that my body reacts to him at all. I’m also grateful to him for working with Mason and obviously being part of the reason he’s laughing and smiling more these days.

A tap on the window startles me and I look over as Mason points at the door, and I realize I didn’t unlock his door. I tap the unlock button and start the car while he climbs in. As I pull out of the driveway, I look up to find Landon standing in the driveway with his hands in his pockets as he watches us leave. When he smiles and offers a little wave, I have to remind myself I’m not interested in anything that man has to offer.

“Mason, just order a pizza, I’m too tired for anything else.” I sigh.

“Yes,” he shouts as he taps on his phone, and the minute I hear him add on a salad to the order I laugh. Damn kid.

I’m running late to class and only have a minute to get my mat out and my heartrate down before Sierra dims the lights. I offer a quick smile to my friends and notice two new faces among them—a beautiful redhead who waves hello to me and the beautiful pregnant brunette from the office.Ashton.Great. I’m going to have to bow out of breakfast if she’s coming. I can’t trust myself to not tell her about her cheating boyfriend, or baby daddy as she referred to him.

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