Page 116 of Finding Us
The heat in his eyes when he says that has a blush rising to my cheeks. “Thank you.” I move my gaze away from his face, because he’s far too handsome for his own good, and the intensity of his stare sometimes overwhelms me.
I use this time to take him in. He’s wearing a light-blue, linen, button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He’s left his shirt untucked over his white straight-legged jeans, and there’s a pair of camel-coloured loafers on his feet. “You … umm … look nice too.”
He chuckles at my statement because I think he relishes in making me feel uncomfortable.
“Do I look nice, Jazzie?” Blake asks.
I squat down in front of him. “Yes, you do. You’re going to be the handsomest boy on the entire plane.” The little smile that lights up his face warms my heart, and as I’m standing to full height, I see his father roll his eyes. “Are we ready?”
“Just waiting on you,” Mason says. I wheel my suitcase into the hallway and close the door behind me. “Are you moving back home?”
“What?”
“I’m just wondering since the suitcase you’re bringing is nearly as tall as you. You do realise we’re only going for a few days, right?”
I narrow my eyes. “I don’t know if you’ve ever been to Melbourne before, but it’s not uncommon to get four seasons in one day. A girl needs to be prepared.”
That gains me another eye roll. “Chicks,” he mumbles under his breath as he reaches for the handle of my suitcase.
“I can wheel my own luggage.”
He just ignores me, moving forward with his in one hand and mine in the other.
“I have my own luggage, Jazzie,” Blake says proudly as he drags his little suitcase along beside him. I smile down at him when his free hand reaches for mine.
Since it was Blake’s first time on the plane, we gave him the window seat. That meant I was seated in the middle, surrounded by Wolf’s intoxicating scent for the entire flight, with his arm constantly rubbing up against me. Occasionally his pinkie finger would brush mine, and the one time I needed to get up to use the bathroom, his hand skimmed over my arse … upon the exit and return to my seat. Of course, he claimed it was an accident both times, but the cheeky smile he gave me when he apologised told me it most definitely wasn’t.
Needless to say, by the time we land I’m a horny, hot mess.
Blake seemed to enjoy the flight, especially the takeoff and landing. He spent the majority of the time looking out the window and eating the abundance of snacks I packed for him. When we first got to the airport, he was a little overwhelmed by the amount of people and clung to Mason and I.
I’m sure he’s still traumatised by the incident with his mother, although he never talks about it. His father and I have both told him he’s safe now. Annalise is still locked up, awaiting trial. Connor told the judge she was a flight risk, and a danger to Blake, and thankfully, he agreed.
I told Mason not to organise a transfer from Melbourne to their hotel, because I know my parents would want to collect us. He’s still adamant about staying somewhere else, but I know my mother, she won’t stand for that. Hence why I talked him into meeting them before him and Blake leave the airport.
My parents are already waiting for us by the time we reach the baggage claim area. As we approach them, my mum lets go of my father’s hand and rushes towards me. I release my hold on Blake, who is walking in the middle of his father and I, his little hands clutched in ours, and run into her open arms.
“I’ve missed you, sweetie,” she says, wrapping me up tight.
“I’ve missed you too, Mumma.”
“Oh, my gosh, my heart when the three of you were walking towards us hand in hand.” She draws back and cups my face, “Love looks good on you, baby girl.” Don’t ask me why, but her words have tears rising to my eyes.
Love?
That’s a word I’ve been fighting with for a while now, but she’s right,I do love him… I love them both,so much.My brain may have been toying with the idea, but my heart already knew the truth. That’s why this decision has been so hard. If it was anyone else, I would’ve walked away and never looked back, but this is Mason Bradley we’re talking about. His swoony—yet sometimes infuriating—arse is impossible not to love.
When the boys reach us, my mum wraps Mason in her arms and mouths to me, “Oh, gosh, he’s gorgeous.” I smile at that, because he most definitely is. She lets him go and takes a step back. “I’m Grace, Jacinta’s mother, it’s so lovely to meet you.”
“Mason,” he says, holding out his hand to her. “It’s lovely to meet you too.”
“So well mannered,” she replies, “And handsome.” Her attention moves to me. “You’ve done well, sweetie.”
Well, this is awkward.
I catch Mason’s side-eye, but ignore it. He obviously now realises I haven’t told my mum what happened between us.
My father joins us, so I introduce him to Mason first. While they shake hands, my mum squats down in front of Blake. “And you must be Blake,” she says. “I’m Jacinta’s mum, my name is Grace, but you can call me Grandma if you like.”
