Page 71 of Obsessed

“Yes,” Rain nodded, his smile so bright that Mason knew he’d remember it in his next life. “It’s time for me to come home.”

19

RAIN

Raincouldn’thelpbutpreen because the small grin on Mason’s face was due to him, and it matched his own dreamy expression. Like Liam and Ollie, Rain was now stupidly in love and it was wonderful.

Indecision had plagued him all the way to the gallery, so he’d decided to walk in and see what Mason said or did and if he got the sign he was looking for, then he’d risk his heart one last time. But if it was too awkward, he’d leave.

He’d never expected the photos. He had been sure that Mason was going to use a selection from their various modeling sessions, not the candids; however, they couldn’t have been more perfect. Those portraits had spoken for Mason, becoming a blinking neon sign that showed Rain exactly how Mason felt, and Rain’s broken heart had started to mend the moment he’d laid eyes on them. The heartfelt confession under that two-dimensional tree was just icing on the cake, a promise that Rain knew would be kept, and as they walked back into the main room he felt like he was floating.

“Wow.” Mason squeezed Rain’s hand. It had gotten even more crowded but this time the group around Mason’s work was familiar. While Finn and Ollie gawked at the main photo, Liam and Owen studied a portrait of Rain flying the drone, his eyes on the sky. In that one, he looked like a man, not the toddler adult he’d been when Tristan had left, and pride rode shotgun to his joy. It had been a lot of hard work, courage, and heartache, but now he had direction, no toxic mother in his life, friends who were really family, and an actual relationship. While the latter was strange new ground, he and Mason would get it right because there was no alternative. Theyhadto be with each other.

It was kismet.

“Did you remember to take the pill this morning?” Ollie snuck up while Mason thanked Dolores, pitching his voice so only Rain could hear it. “You’ll get pregnant.”

Rain choked, releasing Mason’s hand to give Ollie a faux slap to the shoulder. “Shut up, Ollinator.”

“Welcome to the love club, Rain!” Smirking, Ollie toasted him with his glass. “I never saw it coming but I’m happy for you two. You work.”

Matching Ollie’s energy, Rain pulled out his phone and pretended to scroll through the gallery, winking at Mason.

“Hey, Ollie.” Rain leaned close. “Remember when I said that if I lived with Mason, I’d have a picture of his dick?”

“No.” Ollie shut his eyes, and Rain didn’t select a photo; he just waved his phone in front of Ollie’s face, trolling him and laughing as Ollie continued to protest. “No means no, Drizzle, I don’t want to be scarred for life.”

“Why would you be scarred by a top-tier co- hi, Liam. Owen.” Rain changed tracks flawlessly, pocketing his phone, but by their smiles they’d heard enough. Mason joined their circle and Owen gave him a polite nod.

“Congratulations, Mason.” He cracked a blinding smile. “Your photos are inspired. I have nothingnegativeto say.”

Liam, Ollie, and Rain all rolled their eyes, holding back giggles as Mason returned the nod, not acknowledging the pun.

“Thank you, Owen.”

“I hear there’s a famous model in these parts?” An arm wrapped around Rain’s shoulders and he looked up to find Tommy next to him, teasing approval in his gaze and a hefty serving of food on his plate.

“Tommy!” Rain hugged him so hard that Ollie had to snatch the appetizers away before they hit the floor.

“So, are you going to introduce me to your main squeeze?” Breaking away from the hug, Tommy extended a hand to Mason, who shook it without hesitating.

“I know who you are,” Mason stated, being as on-brand as possible. “You’re Tommy, Ollie’s brother. You helped him move in and you don’t know how to walk quietly.”

Ollie and Rain burst out laughing.

“It’s true though,” Rain agreed. “You stomp!”

Tommy made a silly face at them. “We’re not talking about my lead feet. We’re talking about how Mason is courting my Rain and I need to know his intentions.”

“I know what his intentions are,” Ollie announced. “To bend Rain over andmmmph!”

“That’s the second time today, Sunshine.” Finn’s left palm easily covered Ollie’s mouth and he used it to hold Ollie’s head still, kissing him on the cheek. Suddenly, his eyebrows flew up and he snatched the hand away, wiping it on his jeans. “You slobbered all over it!”

“That’s what you get, Just Finn,” Ollie giggled, returning the kiss to Finn’s lips.

“See, this is what I mean, they aren’t normal.” Rain spoke to Tommy in a stage whisper.

“You’re just as bad.” Not even bothering to whisper, Tommy put his hands on his hips, giving Rain a pointed look.