I didn’t know if Mason was so quiet I couldn’t hear his reply, or if Renee had stunned him into silence. Finally, I heard the low drawl of his words.
“Renee, I appreciate you telling me this, but it doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t fit with the man who didn’t raise me. It’s not the same story my mother told me.”
“Honey, it’s true. Maybe one day, when you’re a father yourself, you’ll see how complicated it is to raise children. And I’m not saying Mitchell didn’t get himself in a mess having an affair, but it didn’t mean he didn’t love you. He wanted you to know it; he just wasn’t big on words. And the man was a little stubborn. I think that runs in the Lachlan genes.”
“But he left the Palm Palace to Grey. It was the only thing he had in this life, and he left it to him.”
“Now, Mason, I’ve heard a little something about you. You’ve done real well for yourself. Real well.” Renee paused. “Aren’t you a successful businessman, driving a fancy car, traveling all around, money in your bank account?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Mason was quiet. I had never heard him decline an opportunity to talk about his successes.
“It might not be how you wanted it, and it might have hurt, but Mitchell wasn’t stupid man. I think your father knew who needed help and who didn’t.”
I hadn’t looked at my phone in a few minutes and I was completely focused on the exchange, if anyone saw me now I would be busted. I was stunned by Renee’s confession about Pops. Did Mason’s mother give him bad information all of those years? Did her relationship go sour and she pinned it all on Pops? It was like listening to a soap opera unfold.
“Renee, it was a pleasure to meet you. I’ve got a beautiful girl waiting on me.” He kissed her on the cheek and weaved through the crowd back to Taylor.
I held my breath, waiting for Renee to rejoin the party. I didn’t know if what she told Mason would make a difference, if he even cared about it, but if I were him, I would need a stiff drink and a walk on the beach to figure it all out.
Grey was able to slow dance as long as he didn’t put too much pressure on his recovering leg. We swayed to the music, my head resting against his chest. I loved being close to him like this. The lights started to flicker, and I could see the country club staff closing in from all the doors, flanking us like a military surge. It was after midnight, and they were ready for us to go. I couldn’t blame them. It was late.
Reluctantly, the guests filed out of the main entrance of the ballroom and into the circular drive of the club. A few seconds later, Marin came bounding down the steps in a short cocktail dress, her hair pulled back in a ponytail. Pick scooped her in his arms and lowered her over the side of the car into the passenger seat.
“Y’all behave tonight!” someone hollered over the laughter.
“I don’t think so,” Pick called back from the steering wheel, revving the engine a few times. Marin slapped him on the chest, but she was clearly happy. Her cheeks were pink, and she hadn’t stopped smiling all night.
I saw Marin’s mother dab at her eyes a few times while her father held her next to him. Watching their first daughter drive off into married life must have been a bittersweet moment for them.
Grey and I waved as the car pulled out of the drive. Marin and Pick would be on their way to their St. Croix honeymoon tomorrow. Tonight, they had the bridal suite at the Sun Resort, a gift from Marin’s boss.
Everyone milled around for a few seconds, drinking bottled water. No one was ready to go home. Nights like that were hard to leave.
“Hey, I think we should light up the bonfire.” Connor came up behind us. He had had a few beers. “A little after party is in order.” His wedding date was a few paces behind him. I met her during the reception.
It seemed late to start one, and I wasn’t sure about taking my blue dress on the beach, but your friends didn’t get married every day.
Grey’s hand slid along my back. “You up for it?”
“Yes, I think it’s a good idea,” I answered. “It’ll be fun.”
Taylor bounced over. “Are we going to the beach?”
I wished I could read Grey’s mind. Would he be ok if Taylor and Mason tagged along?
Grey answered, “Yep. Come on.”
And just like that, Grey had invited Mason to the local bonfire. I didn’t know what to say. It was possible there was an impending apocalypse. I checked the sky, but all I saw was a brilliant October Texas sky littered with stars.
I was impressed with how quickly the guys pitched in to stack the wood. Mason carried an armful of wood from Connor’s truck. I doubted he did much manual labor growing up, unlike Grey, but he was helping.
I had managed to avoid Laura throughout the reception. Grey and I sat on the opposite side of the ballroom from her and her date, but here at the bonfire, the crowd was much more intimate. She was only ten feet away.