Page 44 of Mason Wilder
Lucas came to his sister’s side, also ready to defend his family. “She’s right. I really don’t know why you think my fathers don’t love my mother, but you couldn’t be more wrong.”
Mason watched the woman he loved and his best friend, ready to square off against his birth mother, and he began to think that introducing them was a bad idea. There was bad blood between Kendall and Tommy, Jessi, and Angel. He’d known that.
Kendall’s eyes softened and she broke into a warm smile. “I’m so sorry. I think my big mouth got me into trouble again. I didn’t mean anything by it. I came here to meet my son’s girlfriend and his best friends. I have no business making assumptions.” She waved a hand in front of her, as if to wipe away the tension. “Let’s start over.”
“That’s a good idea.” Mason squeezed Tessa’s shoulder, and she nodded at him.
“Why don’t we sit down to dinner?” Tessa suggested. “I cooked a beautiful meal.”
Kendall’s face brightened. “I told Mason that you shouldn’t have gone to the trouble. I would have been happy to take everyone out to dinner.”
“No trouble at all,” Tessa replied, sincerely. “I love to cook.”
On their way to the table, Mason ran his hand across his forehead and let out a breath. Tessa never let anyone judge her parents’ unconventional relationship, and had a hot temper when it came to family. And Lucas had an over-protective streak when it came to his sister. Five minutes in his apartment, and Kendall almost had it out with his girlfriend and his best friend.
Sindy grabbed onto Mason’s arm and whispered, “Don’t sweat it. My family makes this look like a Hallmark Christmas Special.”
“Such a beautiful table,” Kendall complimented. She offered to help in the kitchen, but Tessa wouldn’t hear of it. Usually, when Tessa cooked, the kitchen was her domain and no one else, with the exception of Angel, could set foot in there. Tonight she made an exception for Sindy, and Mason wondered if they were discussing Kendall’s comments about Angel, Tommy and Jessi.
“I hope you like Cuban cuisine,” Tessa said as she and Sindy presented dish after dish, absent the usual rundown of ingredients.
Kendall stared at everything, an impressed yet bewildered look on her face. “This is incredible.”
“My papi taught me how to cook. I guess you know he’s a chef?”
“Of course.” Kendall smiled and her eyes glazed over. “Papi? Is that what you call Angel?”
Tessa nodded.
“That’s adorable.” Kendall shook out her napkin and draped it across her lap. “Everything looks lovely, Tessa. What was this called again?” She pointed to a bowl. “It looks delicious.”
“That’s picadillo,” Mason answered. “It’s beef with potatoes. Olives. Tomatoes.” He looked into the bowl to see what other ingredients he was missing and tried to remember the way Tessa described it in the past. “It’s flavored with sofrito.” Mason’s knowledge of Tessa’s culinary skills, garnered adoring eyes from the woman he loved.
“My sister’s an amazing cook,” Lucas bragged.
Kendall tasted the picadillo. “Mmm. It’s positively divine. Do you have any other brothers or sisters?” she asked Tessa.
“No. It’s just me and Lucas.”
“That’s splendid. You seem close. What about you, Sindy? Are you in the band, as well?”
Sindy nodded. “I play guitar. Not nearly as good as Lucas, but I can hold my own.”
Lucas wrapped an arm around Sindy. “Don’t be modest. You’re one of the best guitar players I know.” He planted a kiss on the side of her bright red hair and smiled. “And pretty damn cute, too.”
Sindy smiled and nudged him with her shoulder.”
“Young love,” Kendall said wistfully. “Tell me more about this band of yours, Mason. What’s the name of it?”
“Prodigy.”
Kendall rested her fork in her plate and sat back. “Prodigy. It’s perfect.”
“Our first single went platinum, and our first album just went gold.”
Kendall listened with her chin on her hand. “That’s an amazing story. Do you have a manager?”
Mason put his arm around Tessa’s shoulder. “She’s our manager. She runs the show. She makes sure everyone brings their A-game. Keeps us in line. Writes all the lyrics. Scrutinizes—”
