Page 51 of Mason Wilder
Tessa had vast knowledge of Cuban and American cuisine, but really didn’t know much about Brits and their love of tea, so when she had decided to join Mason and Kendall for afternoon tea at his apartment, she made sure to visit a specialty store first. She had no idea what condiments went with tea, but the salesperson had said that orange slices would pick up the flavor. Lemon was traditional. And, well, everything in Cuban cuisine was made with lime, so she added it as a choice. She put the kettle on the table and poured Kendall a steaming mug of tea, alongside a small dish of quartered lemons, limes and oranges. She returned to the kitchen and retrieved the platter with scones, alongside finger sandwiches made with smoked salmon and goat cheese.
“What’s all this?” Kendall asked.
“Just a little something to nibble on.”
Mason slipped his hand under the table and rested it on her thigh as he sent her a swoon-worthy smile that turned her insides to butter. “She was up early this morning baking, after stocking the fridge,” he told Kendall. “I have to remember to go shopping.” He snagged a scone, took a bite and raised his brows to indicate how much he liked it.
It didn’t matter that everyone always raved about her culinary skills. She cooked and baked because it was her passion, not to garner praise. It was the slightest compliment, the smallest indication that Mason enjoyed the things she prepared, that made her spirits soar.
“You made these?” Kendall picked up a scone and took a nibble. “They’re divine. And this tea. It smells positively delicious.” Kendall inhaled the steam while cupping the mug under her nose, closing her eyes as she took in the aroma. “I smell cinnamon and citrus.”
“Thank you. I hope you like the tea,” Tessa said. “We’re coffee drinkers in my house.”
Kendall squeezed a bit of lemon in the tea and stirred some sugar into the cup. She blew on the hot liquid, sending a plume of steam away from her and took a small sip. “Mmm. Orange spice. It’s excellent.” She paused with the cup to her lips and glanced at Mason. “You’re a coffee drinker as well, isn’t that right?”
Mason nodded, holding up his oversized mug. “Yep. When you put in long hours writing, recording and playing music, coffee is a must.”
Kendall looked back to Tessa. “You mean you purchased this especially for me?” Her hand went to her chest. “That is so kind of you. You’re such a dear girl.”
“It really wasn’t any trouble,” Tessa said, unused to someone having such gratitude for purchasing a simple box of tea leaves.
Mason put his arm around Tessa and gave her a little squeeze. “That’s what my girl does. She loves to cook and be the hostess.” He gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
“You two are such a sweet couple.” Kendall was quiet for a few seconds while she stared at them. “How long have you been dating?”
“Not long,” Mason answered. “Only a few weeks. A little over a month.”
“Really?” Kendall sat back in her chair. “I’m surprised. Shocked, actually. You seem like a couple who’ve been together for years. What took so long for you to get together?”
Tessa exchanged a smile with Mason. “It’s a long story.”
Kendall leaned forward clutching her cup. “I hope it’s a scandalous tale about an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend that one of you needed to chase away in order to claim your one true love.”
Mason laughed heartily. “No. We were just friends for so many years that it took a while for me to see Tessa in a different light. Now I don’t know why I didn’t see it years ago.”
Kendall’s smile faded a little and she looked into her cup, apprehensively. After a moment, she asked, “Did you have a pleasant childhood, Mason?”
He looked surprised. “Yeah. I had a great life.”
Tessa watched Mason’s expression. He didn’t get the connotation, but she got it right away. Mason didn’t have a normal childhood. He’d been a celebrity, in the spotlight since he was 10 years old.
“I’m glad.” Kendall nodded solemnly. She stared at his fingers, tapping against his coffee mug, and smiled. “Just like Jimmy. You really love the drums, don’t you?”
Again, his eyes widened with surprise, as if the question was absurd. “The drums are everything to me. If I couldn’t play the drums, I may as well stop breathing.”
“I would love to hear you play sometime. You wouldn’t happen to be playing any gigs in the next few days, would you?”
“I can play something for you right now. I have a drum set in one of the spare bedrooms. It’s the drum room.”
Tessa saw that coming a mile away, and she didn’t know whether to roll her eyes or smile at his obsession.
“Really?” Kendall asked. “Won’t it be too loud for the other occupants in the building?”
Mason stood up and started for the drum room without waiting for either of them. “It’s soundproof. C’mon.”
Kendall took another sip of tea, blotted the corners of her mouth with the napkin, and placed her cup down on the saucer.
“You can bring it,” Tessa said.
