Page 14 of Sensual Nights

"I didn't want to make a fuss."

Margo squeezed her hand again, and she squeezed back. Jace nodded. "As soon as I get back to the Sandbar, I'll look at the security footage."

Her cheeks felt hot, and her throat was dry. "Thank you."

Margo moved the conversation on to talk of the town council vote coming up soon, and Carley was grateful the attention wasn't focused on her anymore.

Mason resumed eating, but he was quiet. Quinn changed the topic once more. "The director of the hospital in Tampa called me to ask if we'd consider starting a counseling center on site."

Jace stopped eating and asked. "For who?"

"Veterans."

She saw Mason stiffen as his eyes focused on his plate. She got the feeling this wasn't a subject he was interested in. Maybe it brought up bad memories. She'd seen him have a panic attack at the bar one day. Jace coached him through it. Everyone else who worked at the Sandbar picked up as though nothing was happening as Jace helped Mason through his attack. There were probably many others who could use that help. She was afraid to say it though. Mason didn't seem to be comfortable with the discussion and she searched her brain to come up with a change of subject that wouldn't seem so contrived. Luckily Margo gave her the opening.

"Carley is selling these condos almost faster than you can build them, Quinn."

Quinn laughed. "I know. I've told Jared he may have to work longer hours to stay ahead of Carley."

The mood lightened, and Mason finished eating his lasagna. Carley stood and began clearing the plates. Margo helped her.Once they were in the kitchen loading the dishwasher, Margo whispered to her, "Are you alright?"

"Yes. Why would you ask?"

"It seemed tense there for a minute."

"I noticed Mason was tense about the conversation surrounding the counseling."

"Why would that make you tense?"

She looked into her sister's eyes and softly said, "I like him."

"Of course, he's very ni..." Margo's eyes rounded, and her brows shot up behind her bangs. "Ohh."

"Anyway. It doesn't really matter. I don't think he feels the same way."

"I think he does."

"Why do you think that?"

Margo took a breath to start to explain, but Mason stepped into the kitchen with more dirty plates. "The lasagna was great, Carley. Thank you for feeding all of us. But I should be the one feeding all of you."

Carley's chest heated as she turned to take the plates from Mason. "You can do it next time."

He shook his head. "I'm not moving any time soon."

She laughed. "Okay. Then, you can host a party or something once we get everything organized."

Margo turned to stare at her, and she realized what she'd said.Once WE get everything organized.As if she were living here too. As if she was part of this.

Mason chuckled. "That sounds good. We'll do that."

He saidwe'll. But before she could say anything, he turned and left the kitchen. Margo had a sassy grin on her face as she put the plates in the dishwasher, and Carley felt...how did she feel? Happy. Flustered. Yes, the word was flustered. She wasn't sure she was even ready for a relationship. She started to tellMargo that, but her sister, ever so astute, whispered, "I think he does feel the same way as you do. Good for you."

Carley swallowed a lump in her throat. "I don't know if I'm ready for something like a relationship again."

Margo laughed out loud, and Carley glanced into the dining room to see if anyone looked their way. None of them did. Margo then replied. "When I met Jace, no one was less ready for a relationship than I was. No one. Look at us now."

"Yeah."

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