Page 28 of Anchored Love
Everly
Make It Real – Or Try To
Water splashedup into my face, but it felt good after standing in the glaring and unforgiving sun for the wedding ceremony. It was official—Drake and Kelsey were husband and wife.
Our poor mother hemmed and hawed over us all getting our clothes wet, but it was worth it to see the expression on her face. Most of the time our mother seemed like the sweetest, but on occasion she could give one hell of a resting bitch face. She mean-mugged each and every single one of us from the shore.
“Can’t take the lot of you anywhere,” she complained, a hand planted firmly on her hip. The sight only made me laugh harder as I played in the gorgeous blue water with Mason. Even Casey had ditched his photographer duty to join in on the fun.
A few minutes later, though, she managed to corral us back to the beach to dry off, so we could go to lunch. The wedding planner had reserved a private dining room at a nearby restaurant. The cake and lunch awaited us. I sat next to Mason with my delicious Cajun chicken and veggies. Spicy potatoes, peppers, and onions filled my mouth. The meat was tender and juicy.
Everyone was quiet and stuffing their faces with big smiles.
Kelsey traded her wine for juice. We were all shocked at her pregnancy announcement, but thrilled at the same time. Mom had been dying for a grandbaby to spoil, and now she’d have the chance, so you’d think she’d been over the moon with the news. She kept glancing between Mason and me, and an uneasy sensation settled in the pit of my stomach like a brick ready to sink me to the bottom of the deep blue sea.
“Casey, when are you and Jess going to make things official?”
“Mom, don’t. You know we don’t think a piece of paper—no offense, Kelsey and Drake— changes the way we feel about one another. If, and when, we decide that we want, then we’ll let you know. Casey and I already live as though we’re married. We even have a joint checking account.”
“It’d still be nice if you made it legal. Though, I guess the two of you living in sin is better than Everly paying Mason to pretend to be her boyfriend.”
My stomach lurched at her words. My chicken threatened to make a reappearance on the table.
“Jane Lynn,” Herbert hissed, tossing a napkin on the table.
I sat stunned. Everyone was quiet and staring at us. You could hear a pin drop it was so quiet. I didn’t know how she knew we were faking it, but I should’ve known better than to try to pull one over on her. She could always smell my lies.
I glanced at Mason. Time seemed to stand still. His big hands caressed my cheeks, holding me where he wanted me. His gaze pierced through me as he leaned forward and crashed his lips down on mine, tasting of wine and sunshine. Closing my eyes, the world and my family melted away for a brief moment. The only thing that existed was the feel of Mason pressing his soft lips against mine. Warmth flowed through me from my toes to my head.
I didn’t know which of us ended the kiss first, but when I opened my eyes he smiled. Whispering low enough only for me, he swore, “I’ll make it real, Ev.” My heart leapt to my throat. My pulse jackhammered in my ears. I wanted to ask him real for whose benefit, theirs or mine.
Drake cleared his throat. “Who wants cake?” Just like that my mother’s cruel words were forgotten, and everyone returned to murmuring about the ceremony and the baby.
Jess swore they’d have a girl.
Herbert thought a boy. I had no words; I didn’t know what to do or say. My mind was still stunned by that kiss. I’d waited my whole life for Mason Jones to kiss me. I just never expected it would happen in front of my whole immediate family.
I didn’t even realize the cake had been cut until Mason slid a plate in front of me. I cut into the buttercream and strawberry-filled goodness with my fork and shoveled a bite in my mouth, since I’d lost my appetite earlier. I drank more wine, and Mason kept being attentive with light touches and holding my hand through the rest of the day.
My brother and Kelsey went off to celebrate alone; it was after all their honeymoon night. We had a couple hours ’til we were due back at the ship, and I wanted as far away from everyone as possible, but I knew if I pulled another disappearing act my mom would make a big deal out of it. She had already thrown such a fit the day before because we went on the ATV tour. The Magic Ice attraction she wanted to drag us to did sound interesting.
Mason linked his fingers with mine and pulled me aside as we were leaving the restaurant. “Hope I didn’t catch you too off guard back there. I knew you were embarrassed, and I didn’t know what else to do, so I thought if I kissed you then maybe they’d lay off, you know. You aren’t mad, are you?”
I offered him a weak attempt at a smile. There it was, Mason kissed me to save face; not because he wanted to. I guessed when it happened, part of me had hoped he meant that he’d make it real for me. I shook my head. “No. That was really sweet of you to try. Thank you. I’m not sure it worked, but it’s whatever. I never should have lied to my mother. I should have told her that I didn’t want her trying to fix me up with another bad date and Mr. Wrong, but anyway, I’m glad it’s you who’s here experiencing this with me.”
“I’m an okay date, right? Pretty to look at too.” He grinned and flexed a bicep at me, earning him an eye roll, but I did manage to crack a smile for him.
At the Magic Ice exhibit we all were given proper attire to enter the subzero temperature. I pulled my faux fur-lined hood up over my head, snuggling closer into Mason as we started our tour of the pirate ships sculpted from clear ice. I’d never seen anything like it. Music played overhead, the displays light by candlelight giving a surreal experience. In the center was the pirate ship-inspired bar complete with a skull and crossbones made entirely of ice on the bar. I snapped a picture of Mason sitting on the ice throne. Mom and Herbert had wondered off on their own, and we had lost Jess and Casey somewhere in the bar.
It was only the two of us, so I wasn’t sure why Mason insisted on holding my hand and doting on me like a boyfriend would. No one was watching us. I wanted to ask him why he was still pretending, but I froze up like a chicken shit and couldn’t get the words out.
Time moved quickly, and it wasn’t long before we had to get back to the ship.
My mother didn’t mention anything more on the subject of Mason and me not really being together, and I wasn’t about to bring it up. Back in the cabin all I wanted to do was get out of my dress and into the shower. Exhaustion from the sun and my emotions running high was wearing me down.
Mason was feeling it too. Collapsing face-first onto the bed, he mumbled, “I’m just going to rest my eyes for a minute.
I left him to it and gathered my stuff for the shower.
