Page 115 of Grand Love

“So you make him let you in.”

I snicker, giving her a look. “You don’t make a man like Mason Lowell do anything.”

“You can. I’ve seen it. You bring that man to his knees.”

“Yeah and look how that ended.”

“Stop being such a negative ninny! Do you want him? You, Ellis, and Mason, as a family one day.”

More than anything. “Yes.”

“You made decisions that in hindsight were rash and maybe wrong, but I get it. I understood when it happened, and I still do now—you did nothing wrong, so don’t beat yourself up over it for another second. But Mason doesn’t understand it, he just thinks you ran because it was easier than staying.”

“So, the plan is to make him understand why I ran?”

“No, you said it yourself… you don’t make a man like Mason Lowell do anything. You.”

She points. “Make him want you so bad, he has no other option but to let you in. Make him want you so bad he can’t tell you no. Then in time, he will see that you aren’t going anywhere.”

“That sounds terrible. I’m not desperate.”

“No? Then let him go.” She shrugs as if it’s that simple.

I glare at her, knowing that the only way to show Mason I’m serious is to build the foundations again.

And that’s what I will do.

* * *

Luce: Operation bring him to his MF knees is ON!!! You got this girl!!! Look hot today xo

I smileup at my phone, and Lucy’s obvious attempt to hype me.

Do I want to pursue Mason? I know I told him I’d wait for him, which was utterly mortifying for me, and I doubted the words the minute they left my mouth. But to actively pursue him… it seems… kind of exciting.

Rolling over, I instantly panic, remembering that Ellis was in my bed last night. He isn’t in my bed right now. I rip the covers off and run out of my open doorway, catching my toe on the frame and hurling myself into the bathroom door opposite my room.

Pain radiates through my head and neck, and I reach for my pinkie as I rock back and forth on the floor. “Ow, ow, ow, ow!”

“What the fuck, dude?” Megan appears in the hallway, shaking her head as she watches me, then she turns to walk away.

“Ellis?” I gasp. “Where is he?”

“Having his Weetabix!” she yells over her shoulder.

“Holy shit.” I check my pinkie is still facing forward and not hanging off and then fall back to the floorboard. “My heart. I think you broke my heart.”

“We’re on a mission or something. Lucy woke me up last night and filled me in.” Her head comes into my line of sight, Ellis on her hip and a steaming cup of coffee in her other hand. “Go shower and change into something tight.”

“I don’t know if I’m going in today.” I pull myself up and take the cup of coffee after giving Ellis a kiss. “She actually sent you over here to get me out of bed?” I question.

“No. She sent me over here to get Ellis up and out of bed. You need to go wash and do your hair and then you’re going to work. Stop throwing yourself a pity party and crack on.”

She disappears into the kitchen, and I follow, placing my mug down and taking Ellis from her.

“I need some time with Ellis today.”

“You have tomorrow off, don’t you? And the weekend.”

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