Page 27 of The Young & the Sinner

Olivia

Lorenzoand I went on a total of three dates before I decided to tell Max.

There was just something unnerving about it. Mostly because I didn’t know how Max would react.

There would always be a part of me that sought his approval. A part of me that was willing to do almost anything as long as Max was happy. And if he didn’t approve of Lorenzo? There was a huge chance that I would break things off with him.

I didn’t like Lorenzo that much.

Not since Mason, anyway.

I fidgeted around the kitchen when I heard the garage door and looked around to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything. I spent most of the day cooking. Neither Max nor I were big on cooking. In fact, there were more takeout leftovers in the fridge than anything else. But I hoped this would soften him.

I didn’t even know why I was so nervous. It wasn’t like Max didn’t let me date. The door to the attached garage opened, and I heard male voices. Max wasn’t alone, and from the sound of it, Mason was with him.

Great.

Just great.

When I couldn’t wait to see Mason, he had to work, but times when I needed it to just be Max, Mason couldn’t seem to stay away.

I controlled my expression and braced myself for the feeling of having a three-ton object press in on my heart, like it always did whenever I saw Mason. Having a crush on any man was bad enough—having an unrequited crush on a man like Mason literally hurt. No matter what I did or thought, Mason was still at the forefront of my mind every day.

When the brothers finally came into view, my heart stuttered so frantically that I was surprised I hadn’t passed out.

Mason was in one of his work suits again, a dark gray jacket and a light blue button-up shirt. The sight of his broad shoulders encased in what was sure to be a custom-made suit was doing funny things to my insides.

Lorenzo didn’t look like this in a suit.

Lorenzo looked like a boy trying to play a man in a suit. I wondered if the same could be said about me in a dress. Did I look like a girl trying to play a woman whenever I put on a nice dress to go on fancy dates with him?

I shook my head. It didn’t matter. I was with Lorenzo now, so I needed to stop comparing him to Mason.

Mason noticed me first. He smiled, albeit reservedly, and my cheeks felt warm. Max spotted me then, and he smiled widely, his eyes brightening like they always did whenever he saw me. It was hard not to notice the difference between their smiles. There was always something about Mason that told me he was holding back—unlike Max, who was so free in his affection for me.

“Hey, kiddo. How was your day off today?”

“Oh, it was good. I cooked.” I pointed awkwardly to the food I had prepared and placed on the kitchen island to cool.

“Well, it smells delicious. Mason’s having dinner with us, by the way.” I tried not to smile too eagerly at that. “I can’t wait for dinner. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I must have sounded as awkward as I felt, because Max stopped his perusal of the food and turned to me. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah? Why wouldn’t it be?”

Max continued to stare me down, and I resisted the urge to squirm. “Nothing. Why don’t you and Mason set the table while I get out of these clothes. I’ll be right back.”

And then he left to his room and it was just Mason and me. Awkward didn’t begin to cover what was happening. I was an awkward kid, and now I was an awkward teenager. Would I be an awkward adult as well?

“Why don’t we set the table?” Mason suggested after I stayed silent for a few seconds too long.

“Yeah, that sounds great?” Why did I say that like a question?

His eyes lit up in amusement, and I got the distinct feeling that he thought I was cute… like a little kid. “Grab the plates, Olivia. I’ll carry the food.”

Mason unbuttoned his jacket and threw it casually across the back of the couch before he loosened his tie. I watched him for a beat too long as he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. He caught my eyes, and I looked away quickly.

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