Page 48 of I Heart Mason Cartwright
“How many siblings do you have, Mason?” Jonathan asks.
“None. I’m an only child to a single parent.”
“Oh, that’s sad.” Cassandra puts her hand over her heart and frowns. At least I think it’s a frown. Her face doesn’t move much regardless of the expression.
“AshLynn,” Zach says. “You’re okay with six kids?”
“Whatever Mason wants,” she says.
“Do we know anyone with children to be a flower girl in the wedding?” Cassandra asks.
AshLynn and Cassandra begin suggesting names. I sit back in my chair with a huff.
“You okay?” Willow leans over and asks softly.
“As well as anyone having six kids can be,” I mumble.
“Do you really want six?” Willow asks with a smile, her voice low enough so only I can hear.
Not with AshLynn.
Maybe with you.
I look at her. Her big green eyes peek over the rim of the champagne flute as she takes another drink. Hers is almost empty, so I refill it with the pitcher once she returns it to the table. I can’t quite read the expression in her eyes.
I try to be as honest as I can. “I wasn’t aware AshLynn would say I wanted six kids.”
“Does that mean you do or don’t?” Willow presses on.
“I don’t think AshLynn or I are ready for six kids.”
“Pfft,” Willow says. “Ain’t that the truth.”
I raise my flute and cheers the air in agreement.
Zach leans toward me behind Willow. “What are we cheering to?”
“Not having six kids,” Willow says out of the corner of her mouth.
“I second that motion.” Zach raises his own glass and we cheers again.
Willow stands. “I don’t know about you all, but I’m getting breakfast before all this champagne goes to my head.”
“Oh my goodness,” Cassandra says. “I almost forgot why we were here.”
“Not me.” Jonathan pulls out her chair for her and helps her to stand. “I’ve been eyeing that buffet table since we arrived.”
We file toward the food; I hang back a bit to be last in line. The spread they have is incredible. Fresh fruit, bagels with cream cheese and lox, omelets, ham, bacon, crepes, waffles, as many toppings as you can possibly imagine for all the above. I return to the table with my plate piled high.
AshLynn looks at it. “You know you can go back for more, right?”
“Just getting started, dear,” I tell her.
“You’ll want to watch that in later years,” Cassandra leans to AshLynn and says, as though I’m not sitting across the table from her. “His metabolism will slow down and he’ll get a paunch.” She looks pointedly at Jonathan. Who does not have a paunch. And who is starting his day with oatmeal.
Forty-five dollars apiece for a champagne brunch and he chooses oatmeal.
Cassandra has fruit, as does AshLynn, but both Willow’s and Zach’s plates are similar to mine with Willow’s at maybe half the size.
AshLynn touches my arm. I look at her. She sets her fork down and clears her throat. “I guess if we’re to be staying with Willow, I’m going to need to get a bedroom set for Mason and me to sleep on. Then we can get started on those six grandkids for you, Mommy.”
Fuck me.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?
