Page 84 of Obsessed

“All the time.” Tristan’s expression indicated that it wasn’t tasty. “You’re so hungry by the time you hit the northern states that you barely want to stop for water. You want to make miles and calories.”

“Did you like the thru-hike?” Mason followed up, cutely invested.

“Asking the important questions!” Tristan smiled, but it had an edge. “It was hard as hell but I had the time of my life. I think coming back to the regular world and working behind four walls every day is harder than doing the trail.”

“Howisthe hosting going?” Rain asked, taking the opportunity to steer the conversation because he had a surprise gift for Tristan, if he wanted it.

Tristan smiled fully, with teeth. “I hate it. It’s toxic and stifling.”

Putting down his knife and fork, Rain steepled his fingers, looking at Tristan over them.

“Would you consider working in weddings and events?”

Tristan chuckled. “As what? The ring bearer?”

“As maître d’” Rain stated simply, flattening his hands on the table.

“Maître d’? For a wedding hall?” Tristan frowned in thought, stroking his beard as he stared at the table. “Why are you asking? Does The Pointe need someone?”

“Yes, and I think you’d be perfect for the job. You’d get Tuesdays and Wednesdays off, so it’s great for midweek hiking, the place gives you these crazy benefits, and I can vouch that it’s not boring.”

“I’m aware. It was like wedding hall gossip hour when you stayed with me.” He gave Rain a loaded half-grin. “But would it be okay with the higher-ups if we worked together?”

“It’s fine,” Rain snorted and Mason huffed, echoing him. “There are at least fifteen couples on staff if you include the servers, and Finn just got his brother a job as sous chef. You and I being related is no big deal.”

“Okay. I’ll look into it.” A glimmer of hope flashed in Tristan’s eyes and Rain couldn’t be more pleased with himself.

“Yay!” he clapped his hands, dancing in his chair before picking up his phone and typing. “Here’s Owen’s number. Call him after the holidays. I’m serious, Tristan. He’ll want to talk to you immediately.”

“Again, you’re spoiling me, kid.” Tristan reached out, chucking him under the chin and they resumed eating. The rest of the dinner went wonderfully; in fact, Tristan ended up staying longer than any of them had expected and once the door closed behind him, Mason looked truly sad to see him go.

“I like him,” he stated, watching Mouse bat around the large catnip fish that Tristan had gotten her.

“I knew you would.” Sobering, Rain took a deep breath; now was the perfect time. Since they were still upstairs, he gestured toward the living room, trying to look like he had no ulterior motive. “Can we sit down in there? I um…I have something to give you.”

“Yes.” Mason paused for a few heartbeats. “I have a present too.” And in full Mason style, he vanished around the corner, making Rain giggle, which eased his nerves a bit.

“Do you have to take more pictures?” he called out, grabbing the box he’d hidden under the couch, and when Mason came back with a large red and green shopping bag, he wore a slight smirk.

“You will remind me of that moment for the rest of my life,” he grunted as both of them sat down, facing each other.

For once, the silence between them was awkward and Mason tilted his head, picking up on Rain’s hesitation and thankfully taking over. Thrusting the bag forward in both hands, he dropped it in Rain’s lap.

“I hope you like it.” Somehow, Mason’s expression didn’t match what he was saying. He seemed on edge about this gift, as if he were nervous too, but he had nothing to worry about. Rain would take anything he had to give.

“I’m sure I will.” Sifting through the shiny silver tissue paper, Rain pulled out a stunning new backpack. Smaller than his old one, it was updated with more pockets and stylish zippers. Spinning it in his hands, Rain checked it out from all angles.

“I know you’ve had your bag for a while but one of the straps is falling off,” Mason stated, and Rain’s eyebrows rose as he studied the gift further. “And this one has a place to put your pepper spray.” Mason pointed out a loop on the outside and Rain touched it, grinning.

“That’s great. I still carry it but I haven’theldit in a long time.” He hadn’t used a lot of things in a while, including his old pack. In a way, that bag was sentimental to him; it had seen him through a lot. But maybe it was time for a change. He didn’t need an emergency bag anymore because he didn’t need to flee at a moment’s notice, and to be honest, it was an awesome backpack. The more Rain explored it the happier he was.

“I love it,” he grinned, fishing through an inside pocket to check its depth when he realized that there was something in there. Grasping at the slippery steel, he pulled it out, the bag falling sideways to the floor as his eyes went wide and his heart practically thumped out of his chest.

This was the bracelet he’d been admiring a few weeks ago, in Joyce’s bedroom.

“Mason…” Rain stroked it for a moment before his head snapped up and he held it out. “I can’t accept this. It was your grandmother’s.”

“She’d want you to have it. It’s just sitting on her dresser. It will look much better on your wrist.” Reaching up, Mason closed Rain’s fingers around the bracelet and Rain lowered his hand, looking at the piece again.

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