Page 59 of Finding Us
“Thanks,” Mason says, taking them from me and slinging them over his arm. “And thanks again for dinner, and getting Blake this afternoon. I owe you.”
“You might not be thanking me once you receive my invoice,” I reply teasingly.
“You just said it was free babysitting.”
“I’ve changed my mind; it’s going to cost you.”
Leaning in slightly, with a sly grin curving his mouth, he murmurs, “I’ll reimburse you with ‘O’s.”
I was joking, of course, but now I’m considering sending him an invoice.
Chapter17
Mason
Ilean back in my chair and run my fingers through my hair. It’s been a long fucking day. I love my job, but being second-in-charge of a large and constantly expanding company can be stressful at times. There are days I wish I was still busting my arse down on the factory floor, but I’ve worked hard to get to where I am now.
I was only fourteen when I first started working here. Betty helped get me this job, and I’ve slowly worked my way up to the top during that time. We build, distribute, and export high performance motors, which is very labour intensive, but the corporate side—which I’m now in charge of—although less physical, can be equally taxing. Most nights when I leave here, I’m mentally exhausted. I guess that’s why I get paid the big bucks, which I can’t complain about. It allows me to afford my current lifestyle.
Rob, the CEO and owner of this company, is in the process of semiretirement, so I’m practically running the place now. He trusts me to make all the decisions when he’s not here. I’ve been with him for almost fifteen years, and starting at the bottom has afforded me a wealth of knowledge. I know the ins and outs of every department.
When my phone dings on my desk, I sit forward and turn it over to look at the screen. I smile when I see Red’s name.
Red: Just got back to your place. All good here. I bought Blake a packet of jellybeans on the way home. He’s currently sitting at the table taking out all the red ones and putting them in his shirt pocket. When I asked him what he was doing, he said, “They are dad’s favourite … I’m saving them for him.” This little cutie-pie melts my damn heart.
The smile on my face grows when I read her message.
We’ve been living in the apartment for almost a month now and have settled into somewhat of a routine. Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons, Blake spends here with me at the office. Mondays and Wednesdays—Jacinta’s days off—is his time with her. It’s like this weird sort of shared custody, but I’m okay with it, I trust her with him. She’s good for him, the soft to my hard, and Blake adores her.
She watches him at my place. At first it was because of Connor and his bad attitude, but even he seems to be okay with her spending time with us now. He’d soon put a stop to it if he knew the improper thoughts I’m having of his little sister.
On the days Blake’s with her, I head straight to Bridge from here. By the time I get home, he’s bathed, fed, and ready for bed. I even have a hot meal waiting for me. Seeing Red in my space, and doting on my son the way she does, only draws me in further. It’s getting harder and harder to keep my hands to myself … she’s like forbidden fruit and I want to gobble her up.
Wolf: He gets his cuteness from his dad.
Red: Hah!
Wolf: You don’t fool me, Red. I see those long lingering looks you give me when you think I’m preoccupied.
Red: They’re not long lingering looks, I’m actually plotting your murder.
I chuckle as I write my reply. She may act indifferent, but I’m not blind. She feels the sexual tension between us. This constant back-and-forth banter we have going on is like never-ending foreplay, and it’s only a matter of time before one of us snaps.
Wolf: Liar!
Red: True story. I have a list.
Wolf: I need to see this list.
Red: Not happening. I prefer the element of surprise.
Wolf: Come on, you show me yours and I’ll show you mine.
Red: I believe we’ve already done that.
Wolf: I’m talking about our lists, Red. Get your mind out of the gutter.
Red: You have a list too?
