Page 29 of Mason Wilder
“Can’t we just serve chips and pretzels? You don’t need to make anything.” Mason closed the lid on the grill. It’s only Lucas and Sindy.”
Tessa rushed onto the balcony, several strands of her dark hair flying free from the pony tail tied at the back of her neck. She looked frazzled, totally opposite of her usual take-charge, I-got-everything-under-control composure. They were going to surprise Lucas and Sindy with the news of their relationship, and, at the last minute, Tessa decided to whip up some awesome little croquettes, because homemade croquettes was something a person made on the spur of the moment, along with freshly made tortilla chips and a corn and cotija cheese dip.
She stood with her hands on her hips. “Did you just suggest that I serve pretzels and chips? When have I ever served something out of a snack bag?” Her lips spread into a what-am-I-going-to-do-with-you smile and she wiped her hands on the apron tied around her waist. This one said, “This is How I Roll” above a photo of a rolling pin. She was so damn cute. He cupped her face in his hands and gave her a small kiss.
She pushed him away and waggled her finger at him. “No fooling around. Lucas and Sindy are on their way up. My croquetas de jamón are ready, and I just pulled the tortilla chips out of the fryer. I need the corn for my queso dip.” She lifted the lid to the barbecue and her jaw dropped when she saw the barely seared vegetables. “You just put them on? What were you doing?”
“Watching my hot girlfriend in the kitchen.”
She smiled. “I might let you off the hook for that remark. This time.” She turned up the flame. “No wonder they’re not done. The flame was too low. You’re a dude. You’re supposed to know how to use the grill.”
She had a smart mouth, and he loved her attitude. As he grabbed her around the waist to pull her in for a kiss, he hit her tickle spot and she shrieked. She jumped and hit the tray of utensils, causing the spatula to fall to the concrete floor with a clank. When she bent down to pick it up, he couldn’t resist pinching her cute little bottom.
Mason!” She shot straight up, a happy smile on her face, and swiped at him playfully with the spatula.
He pulled it out of her hand, grinned, and dropped it again. “Oops.”
She let out a beautiful light laugh. “Very funny.”
This time, when she bent over he grabbed her by her hips, jutted his pelvis forward and rubbed against her.
“Stop it.” She smacked him on the leg with the spatula and chuckled. When she turned around to check on the barbecue, he slid his hands over the globes of her adorable little ass. “Behave,” she warned, or I’m gonna hit you with the spatula again.
“Hey! What the fuck are you doing to my sister?” Lucas yelled from inside the living room. “Get your fucking hands off her!”
Mason barely had a chance to turn his head before Lucas sprinted to the balcony and had him by the front of his shirt. The cold hard stare and hot fire behind Lucas’ deep blue eyes took Mason by complete surprise and unnerved him. “Calm down.”
“Don’t fucking tell me to calm down.” He spun Mason around and pushed him against the concrete wall. “You’re outta line. How dare you disrespect my little sister like that? Apologize. Right fucking now.”
“Whoa, man.” This is the exact reaction Mason had feared, but he needed to explain to his best friend that he wasn’t groping his little sister. They were in love. “It’s not what you think. Give me a chance to explain.”
Tessa huffed, rolled her eyes and pawed at Lucas’ arms. “Let go of him. What’s wrong with you?”
Lucas turned to his sister, eyes bulging. “What’s wrong withme? He has no right to touch you like that!”
She yanked Lucas’ hands free and pulled Mason to her side. “We have something to tell you. Just don’t be a dumb ass about it.” She calmly slipped her hand into Mason’s. “We’re together.”
“We weren’t hiding it, man,” Mason quickly clarified. “Or sneaking around. This is brand new. We invited you guys over to tell you about it.”
Lucas jerked his head back, brows furrowed. “Is this a joke?”
“No,” Mason and Tessa replied at the same time, then looked at each other and shared a smile.
Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head to clear it. “You two are together, like a couple?”
Mason put his arm around Tessa’s shoulder. “Yup. I’m in love with her, man.”
“Love?” Lucas’ jaw fell open, then he slowly turned his head toward Tessa. “And you’re in love with him, too?”
She smiled and nodded. “Since I was five years old.”
Lucas had a bewildered look on his face, still trying to comprehend what they’d just told him. He looked from Tessa to Mason and back again, then looked into the living room through the sliding glass doors. “Sindy! Get out here.” There was an uneasy quiet for a few seconds before Lucas called into the living room again. “Sindy!”
“I’ll be right there,” she called from inside the apartment. “I’m looking for wine glasses.”
“Forget about the wine glasses. Did you know about this?”
Mason and Tessa exchanged uneasy glances, worried about Lucas’ reaction, while they continued to receive a questioning glare. The sound of Sindy’s footsteps grew steadily louder in the awkward silence that surrounded them, until she finally joined them on the balcony.
