Did he love me then? God, that seems completely senseless.
“Is this like, it for you? Is he the one?”
“Jesus, Juls.” I sit up and hold my phone out. “Would you get out of wedding planner mode please? I told you I loved him. I didn’t ask your opinion on venues or centerpieces.”
Now I know she’s taking notes. I’m sure she has her planner open and is looking at potential dates. So typical.
“Did I ask about venues and centerpieces? No, I asked if you thought Mason was the one. A completely logical question considering your feelings for him.”
“Crazy about Dylan being on bed rest, huh? Can you believe it?”
“Brooke,” Juls snaps. “Don’t change the subject.”
I exhale a slow breath, leaning on my knees and running my thumb over my toenail polish. “The one,” I repeat quietly, contemplating this foreign idea of forever with the same person. A concept I’ve never considered.
But I also never gave a second thought to loving someone. I never imagined any of this happening.
Mason is my wild card. He’s that unexpected storm that hits when you’re outside on a beautiful day, and at first you don’t want it. You were enjoying the sun and the heat on your skin. That’s what makes you happy. Then the sky darkens and the temperature drops a little, and you think ‘okay, this breeze is nice’. You wait it out, thinking it’ll pass, but the rain starts to fall. The first drop hits your shoulder. Another soaks into your hair. It startles you, but it feels good. You were too hot anyway. Then before you know it, it’s pouring, saturating your clothes and pooling on the earth. A giggle bubbles in your throat. Where is this coming from? It’s so sudden and surprising, and in a matter of seconds, you’re drenched from head to toe. Your beautiful day is ruined, and you can’t stop laughing.
You can’t stop laughing.
The sun is overrated anyway. Give me a sweet storm when I least expect it.
Juls hums impatiently in my ear as I smile against my fingers.
“I . . .”
A knock on the door interrupts me. My heart thumps against my ribs.
Mason.
I leap off the bed and breeze through the condo. “Juls, hey, I gotta go. Mason is here.”
“What? No! Yes or no. Yes or no. Give me something.”
“I have to go,” I laugh, stepping up to the door and peering through the peep-hole, grinning at the gorgeous sight of the man on the other side.
Mason looks so damn good in a gray dress shirt, the button undone at the collar, revealing his tanned neck and the thick protuberance of his Adam’s apple.
Fuck, I want to lick him there.
He stares straight ahead, straight at me, as if he knows I’m looking at him. Admiring. A smirk playing on his lips and his blue eyes bright.
“Brooke,” Juls says in my ear, her voice insistent.
I feel a surge of heat blossom in my chest. My toes curl on the carpet.
“Yes.” I disconnect the call, cutting off her exuberant reply. I wrench the door open and hurl myself into Mason’s arms.
I cling to him, kissing his jaw and inhaling his warm skin.
Jesus. Do all Australians smell this good? Like sunshine and impending orgasms. Mercy.
“Hey.” He squeezes me back, wrapping his arms around my waist and lifting me off the ground. The pressure of his hold is paramount.
Did he hear me through the door? Does he know I just chose him as my forever?
I press my face against his neck, concealing my burning cheeks. “Hi,” I whisper.
He laughs quietly, then leans back to kiss my temple. “Little devil. Ready to go?”
“Change of plans.” I wiggle out of his arms and grab his hand, tugging him inside. I kick the door closed. “My nephew has the chicken pox. Juls just called. I’ve never had them so I can’t go over there. God, can you imagine if I got them now? With Dylan laid up? Joey would be in charge of the bakery.” I make a face. “Everything would be cream filled.”