Page 37 of Forever Your Touch

“I’m Mason, Jo’s friend. Who are you?”

“Ray’s mother.”

The mother who liked to spy on him through her window. “You here to see Jo?”

“I just wanted to come check on her while Ray’s away.”

“Mrs. Daniels?” Jo came to stand behind him. “Is everything okay?”

“Is it?” Ray’s mother’s eyes glittered with suspicion.

Jo gasped, but before she could say anything, Mason did. “Of course, it is. I’m here as her FIBB to help set up her studio.”

“Her what?”

“Fill-in big brother,” Mason explained. “Since her brother is three thousand miles away, I promised him I’d keep an eye out for his little sister while he can’t.”

“Is there something you need?” Jo asked, her voice very small and quiet. He didn’t like it one little bit. She’d told him Ray’s mother didn’t like her, and from the way the woman stared at Jo, she was absolutely right.

“No, I just wanted to check on you.”

“Goodbye, then.” Mason shut the door in her face.

“Mason!” Jo’s outraged gasp only made him grin at her.

“What?” He shrugged innocently. “I didn’t like the way she was staring at you.”

“She’s probably going to call Ray and tell him I’m over here cheating or something.”

“He should know better than that.”

“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t know what he’s thinking since he hasn’t returned any of my messages.”

Mason had the sudden urge to drive to wherever fuck-face was and beat the living shit out of him. What the hell did she see in Ray?

“He’s an idiot.” Mason walked over and cupped her face in his hands, trying to ignore the way his dick jumped. “Don’t let his stupidity ruin your mood. He can believe what he wants. You and I know the truth. If he doesn’t trust you, that says more about him than it does you.” He leaned in and kissed her forehead before taking a step back.

“Thank you, Mason.” Jo blinked back tears. He always knew exactly what to say to her.

“You’re welcome. Now, we need to get your studio up and running. I have a surprise for you too.”

“What is it?” Today was turning into a piss poor one. She didn’t even know if Ray was coming home tomorrow or not, and now his mother was probably telling tales.

“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, now, would it?”

“You’re one of those people.” She narrowed her eyes.

“Which people?”

“The ones who like to torture a person by not telling them what the surprise is.”

His head tilted, and he gave her a devilish smile. “Then what would be the point of a surprise?”

“The word should be stricken from the English language, in my opinion.”

The doorbell rang, and he went to answer it, this time bringing back several boxes along with a bag she was pretty sure held some kind of soda. “Come on, sugar. Let’s eat. I know for a fact you didn’t even touch your lunch, since I was there.”

She stuck her tongue out at him once his back was turned. He had no plans to tell her about his surprise. Her annoyance only amused him. She went and got plates and glasses out of the cabinet while he set all his goodies out on the table. When she returned, her eyes widened. He’d ordered three boxes of pizza, wings, and cheese bread.

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