Page 178 of Grand Love

“You did? Was he okay? What happened?”

She sighs through the phone. “I did pop over to yours after but you weren’t home.”

“I went to the office with Ellis. We took Mason coffee. How was Joey?”

“He let me in. Well, not in, but he opened the door, eventually. He’s definitely struggling, but I think he’s okay. I gave him my number and told him I would pop back in the week which he seemed to be okay about.”

“He was?”

“Yeah. Did he sleep much before all this with his brother?” she asks.

Did he sleep? I would say yes, he never looked tired, but he was a workaholic when it came to his photography. “Most of the time.”

“Well, he isn’t sleeping. But I think that’s normal given the circumstances. I didn’t ask about his medication; it isn’t really my place. Is there a neighbour or anyone you know who could check in each day?”

Me. I’m the only one. I know this. “No.”

“Okay, don’t stress over this, Nina. I’ll do my best to go over as much as possible around work.”

“I’m so sorry, Scar. I just wanted to wait a couple days, give Mason time to chill out about Sunday.”

“I get it,” she tells me. “From what you’ve told me, Joey has been through a lot. He probably needs time.”

“Thank you, Scarlet, I appreciate you doing this.”

“You don’t have to thank me. I feel for him, and I want to help.”

She has no idea how much peace of mind it gives me knowing that someone is checking in. “Will you be at Elliot’s on Saturday?” I ask her. “He said he wants us all there.”

“I have work, but I’ll pop in after,” she promises.

“Good, we can catch up properly then.”

“Yes! I’m dying to get the scoop on Lucy and Miller. Things did not sound good at the café on Monday! Have you spoken to her?”

“Not since our coffee date.” Shit! I forgot about Miller. I’m the worst friend.

I hear keys rattling in the door. “I have to go, your brother is here.” I smile as Mason steps into my apartment, he’s still in his suit and looks just as edible as usual.

“Hmmm.”

“Did you just ‘hmmm’ at him,” Scarlet exclaims.

I chuckle down the phone. “Goodbye, Scarlet.”

Mason’s eyes are heavy and locked on me as I hang up the phone. His hands are relaxed at his sides, and he stands and waits, unmoving as he watches me.

“Hello.” I grin, flipping the phone between my fingers.

“Hi.”

I close the distance between us, not being able to help myself. “How was your day?”

His arms wrap around my back, and I stare up at his handsome face. “It was going great… until you showed up, gave me a raging hard-on and left.”

“Umm, I did no such thing. You need to control your urges.”

“You need to take responsibility for your actions.” His boyish grin makes my stomach flip.

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