Page 127 of Grand Love

Without paying much attention to my surroundings, I follow him into the kitchen. Everything is the same in here, and Ellis instantly tries to get out of my arms.

“Do you want to put him in his chair?” Mason tips his head to the high chair at the end of the island. I place Ellis into the seat and strap him in. I can’t help but notice that it’s top of the range and branded. I turn and stop short, coming face-to-face with a bouquet of roses.

“I got you these.” He hands me the arrangement awkwardly and I stare at them in surprise. He got me flowers. “Is wine okay?”

“Yeah. Wine’s fine.” The knot in my stomach seems to bound up tighter again. “Thank you so much, Mason. This is so thoughtful.”

He watches me as I place the flowers on the counter and lower myself to the chair at the island. My hands twist in my lap. I wish I suggested we eat out, or maybe even at mine again. The conversation seemed to flow between us better at mine.

I wonder how long it will be before I call Vinny.

“Why are you so nervous?” he asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

“I’m not.” I bring my hand up to pinch along my collarbone, his eyes trailing my movements.

Rounding the counter, he places my wine in front of me letting his chest brush my back. “You have no reason to be nervous, Nina.”

I lift my chin, looking at him over my shoulder. “I don’t?”

His eyes seem to darken, and I can’t help but want him to tell me to be afraid. That I should be nervous. His tongue darts out, wetting his bottom lip. “Can you feel that?”

“What?” I frown, flicking my gaze to Ellis who watches us from his high chair.

Mason follows my line of sight, his chest growing bigger—stronger at my back.

His heart pounds rapidly against me.

My eyes flutter closed, my body going lax. I haven’t felt this man in so long.

“You petrify me, Pix.”

He’s gone before I can reply. Moving around the island again and putting distance between us.

“Dinner will be here soon. I thought we could eat and then maybe you’d like to put Ellis to bed?”

“Sure.” I glance around the kitchen, noticing the baby bottles and other small additions. I wonder what else has changed.

“You want to go have a look around?”

“No,” I answer quickly, puffing out a nervous laugh.

“It wouldn’t be weird if you did, I know you loved it here.” He says it so relaxed that you wouldn’t believe his heart was racing just like mine moments ago. He’s calm, controlled and confident.

“Loved. Past tense,” I murmur.

Our eyes lock.

“Loved, and then a lot of shit happened.” His face softens. “How about we agree to not talk about that whilst Ellis is up?” he suggests.

I nod, my eyes stupidly betraying me and getting prickly.

“Any plans for the weekend?” he asks, clearly unsure what to say and catching me off guard. I can’t tell him about my plans for the weekend. Now isn’t the time to ask him to the ball.

“Are we really at the awkward chitchat stage?” I smile, probably looking like a complete goof as I fight to keep my hands still in my lap.

“Well, I can’t exactly bend you over the kitchen island now, can I,” he deadpans.

“Umm. Oh. I…” I’m pretty sure I am a bright shade of pink because I did not expect that. We’re on completely different pages right now.

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