Page 59 of Mason Wilder
The movement of the horse slowed and the revolutions of the carousel tapered, which made them both sigh with remorse that the ride was over. Mason climbed off first, then lifted Tessa’s weightless frame from the horse and set her down on the floor of the carousel. “See, I’m being more romantic already.”
They shared a short joyful laugh before she leaned up and kissed his lips.
“You two are such a sweet couple,” the woman with the three children commented as she passed. “I’ve never seen two people more in love. It really warms my heart.”
Mason pulled Tessa to his chest and kissed her temple and they shared a hug as they both smiled at the woman.
On the walk back to Mason’s apartment, Tessa held his hand and swung his arm playfully. “Thank you, Mase. That was sweet. And fun. But I still want to go for a run when I get back to my place.”
“We could jog in the park, if you want.”
She gave him a skeptical look. “Since when do you jog?”
He didn’t. Ever. But he would for Tessa, although she’d probably leave him in the dust. All of his time in Central Park was spent walking or playing on the swings when he was a kid.
“Running on the concrete isn’t good for the joints,” Tessa continued. “I usually run on the sand. Plus, it’s a lot cooler at the beach. The park is beautiful, though. I never really spent much time in Central Park, which sounds crazy. I’m a Long Island girl. I like that you’re showing me things you love about the City.”
Tessa was rambling, which was the norm for her. But Mason had stopped listening 30 seconds ago. Not because he wasn’t interested. Because he was concentrating on two figures standing in front of his apartment building half a block ahead. That was definitely his dad, and the woman with her back to him looked exactly like Kendall.
Mason never slowed his pace as he approached, nor said anything to Tessa about his dad talking to Kendall. He was scrutinizing their body language. Gone was his father’s carefree stance and permanent smile. Concern covered his dad’s face while he stood rigid, almost annoyed. Mason couldn’t see Kendall’s expression, only that her hand kept going to the back of her neck and smoothing the hairs that were pulled into a tight ponytail. She nodded a few times, then walked down the street in the opposite direction, clearly done with the conversation, and hailed a passing taxicab. Mason’s dad stared at the ground for a few seconds, then leaned against the building and scrubbed his hand over his face.
“Your dad’s here,” Tessa said, when she noticed him. “He looks upset.”
“Yeah. I see him.” He pointed down the street. “He was talking to Kendall. She jumped into that taxi.”
“Oh.” Concern echoed in Tessa’s voice. “Do you know what that was about?”
Mason knew. Just like Tessa knew. But he wanted to hear it from his dad. The crease in his brow disappeared and a smile breached his cheeks as he greeted his father with a one-shoulder hug. “Hey, Dad. What’s up?”
“Mase. I was just about to leave.” His dad’s face lit up with the usual energy, seemingly forgetting the conversation that had him scowling only moments ago.
“Come upstairs.” Mason walked into the building and waved for his dad to follow him. He planned on waiting until they were in his apartment, for privacy, before he asked about what was going on out front, but it was eating away at him and he had to know. “I saw you with Kendall,” he said, as soon as they stopped at the elevator. “What were you talking to her about?”
His dad’s eyes dulled and the curled corners of his lips straightened. The elevator dinged, and he waited for the doors to open. They all stepped inside, but Mason’s dad didn’t answer until the doors sealed them in privacy. “Let’s talk in your apartment. We don’t need people to hear our business.”
Tessa looked between them, apprehension causing her to bite her lip. She took Mason’s hand and squeezed it, and he gave her a reassuring smile to let her know that he was OK. But, was he? Everyone seemed to have an opinion when it came to Kendall, and he was about to hear his father’s. Sadly, he already knew he wasn’t going to like what his dad had to say.
Once inside the apartment, his dad let out a long sigh. “Man, I wish I didn’t have such a bad feeling about this.”
“About what?” Mason demanded.
“About Kendall. I have to admit, I didn’t recognize her. She was standing right next to me talking to the concierge and I didn’t know it was her until I heard her mention your name. She looks totally different. Classy. And she doesn’t sound like she’s from Brooklyn anymore.” A smile broke through his dad’s face, and he looked like the man Mason loved and counted on his entire life, not the one with the pained expression on his face from a moment ago. But it didn’t last long before the accusations and suspicions clouded his father’s eyes again. “Her transformation didn’t give me reassurance, Mase. It did the opposite.”
“What did you say to her?”
“I told her we needed to talk outside. I wasn’t going to broadcast your business in the lobby. I asked her what her intentions were. I asked her if she needed money or if she wanted something else.”
Mason’s brow furrowed. That was rude, and he’d never heard his father be rude to anyone before.
“She laughed and told me she had everything she wanted. Anything money could buy. Except you.”
“But you don’t believe her.”
“I’d like to, buddy. I really would. But I just don’t trust her. Not yet. Maybe in time, but I know her too well.”
“I thought you didn’t know her at all? You always said it was just a fling. A little more than a one-night stand. Now, all of a sudden, you know everything about her?”
“Mason!” Tessa stared at him, eyes wide and mouth agape, clearly disapproving of the sarcastic tone he took with his father.
