Page 115 of Please Open Me
She was likely scared, just as I was.
“I… I brought dinner.” I meekly said, shoving my hands in my pockets. “Atticus said she wanted to talk to me. I’m sorry I couldn’t come this morning, I was—“
“Drunk. Choosing alcohol over Mason, like her mom did. Like Lucian did last night with pills. I don’twantyou near her.” Leona’s voice shook.
“I’d like to talk to him, though,” Mason added, finally looking up.
She was sopale.
Leona looked as if Mason had just asked for a shot of vodka. “Mija, you need to be resting. Doctor’s orders.”
“I’ll rest better once I talk to Cam.” Mason forced a watery smile.
Leona’s eyes danced between the two of us as her jaw locked.
“I, uh, I brought her dinner.” I nodded toward the truck as if that would help. “Sushi, all cooked.”
Mason's lips twitched up, but she still looked so sad. That broke my heart a bit.
“See? He’s thoughtful,” she rasped.
Leo’s jaw tightened, as did her grip on Mason. No part of her wanted to let go; that much was clear. But, after a moment, Leo sighed.
“Fine. You get the food, I’ll take her to bed. The second she’s done eating, you go home.” Leona pulled Mason a little closer. “Am I clear?”
“Crystal.”
Leo gave me a nod of approval before opening the garage door and ushering Mason in, and I wasted no time grabbing the food and running after them. I didn’t want to allow Leo to change her mind.
Leo all but tucked Mason into bed as she continued to fuss over her, shoving a pillow under her feet.
“Are you okay? No more pain?” Leo asked, smoothing a blanket over Mason's legs.
Mason ducked her head, cheeks turning rosy.
“Leona, stop,” Mason mumbled, likely embarrassed from all the fussing.
“Don’t tell me to stop,” Leona said firmly before ruffling Mason’s hair.
Mason turned a different shade of red, and I wondered if she’d considered biting Leona to get her to stop.
“I’ve been tucking you in since you were eleven,” Leona stated.
“Yeah, but I’m not a kid anymore,” Mason argued.
“Mmm, you’ll understand when Rosie gets older. You may be an adult, but you’ll always be my little runaway.” Leona leaned in and kissed Mason’s forehead with the type of affection only a mother could muster.
All that warmth vanished the second she looked at me.
I shifted my weight around, brown takeout bags still dangling from my fingers. It felt like I’d intruded on something I wasn’t supposed to see, but I was glad I did. Love was something Mason saw little of, and it was nice knowing she’d be getting it even if I couldn’t get her to come home tonight.
“Make sure she eats,” Leona said briskly, dusting herself off as if that would hide her moment of softness. “And then you go.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I murmured, setting the bags down on the nightstand.
The smell of noodles and soy sauce filled the room, and my mouth watered just a little.
“The door stays open!” Leona called, her voice softening with each step she took away from us.
