Page 123 of Grand Love

“He had the best intentions at heart when he brought her home,” Vinny tells us both.

It’s not that I don’t believe what Vinny is saying. It’s the fact that if Mason didn’t have money in this situation, he wouldn’t be able to help Jasmine the way he has and plans to. It’s easy for him, for her even.

And that pisses me off a little, even if I am judging her unfairly.

“This is wild,” Scarlet mutters, her eyes wide as she slowly sits back down at the island.

“Yup. But the answer is still no. I don’t want to go to the office.”

“Yeah, sure. I get that.” Scarlet gives me a look that’s full of understanding.

“Excuse me, ladies.” Vinny stands and leaves the room, pulling out his phone as he closes the door behind him.

“Do you think Vinny is going to invite him instead?” Scarlet whispers.

I lift my shoulders to my ears. “Maybe.”

At least I hope so.

“And he would listen to Vinny, right?”

I doubt Mason would listen to anyone, but I know he respects Vinny. “I suppose.”

A few minutes later my phone lights up with a message and Scarlet, unashamedly leans over to look at the screen.

“You text now?” she squeaks out.

“Barely.” I frown.

“Open it!”

Mason: Would Pixie like to stay for dinner this evening?

“OH MY GOD! He called you Pixie?! Fuck it’s happening!” She slaps my arm then falters. “But what’s happening?” She frowns. “Goddamn it, who cares!” Scarlet buzzes beside me and it makes me giggle, but I also have a lead weight pulling me back down to the ground—hard. Ellis is going to Mason’s this evening. At the penthouse. The only place I haven’t had to face since the night I found out I was pregnant.

“Will you calm down?” I swallow, needing her to chill before she sends me deeper into my anxiety.

“You have to go! You can ask him to the ball!” She claps.

I already know I’m going. This is the next step and something I told him I’d try, and I used Lowerwick to get that.

I go to the penthouse. He comes to Lowerwick.

Vinny slips back into the room and seats himself at the island next to Scarlet.

“Mason just asked Nina to dinner!” Scarlet tells him, not being able to control her mouth.

“He did?” He looks at me with a small smile.

“Yup! She’s going to ask him tonight if he will come to the ball. No! Wait! She is going to tell him tonight that he is coming to the ball.” She grins, excited, and I can’t help but join her in her glee. Scarlet is one of the most infectious people I’ve ever met.

She could get Satan smiling.

“Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together?” Vinny lifts his chin to Scarlet, then turns to give me a wink.

I tilt my head a little, giving him a wary look.

The old fool is up to something.

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