Page 62 of Fierce-Matt

“Because I asked.”

Mason rolled his eyes. “So you are trying with her?”

“It’s not really her. It’s someone else,” she said, lifting her chin. There was no use lying at this point.

“You’ve got a guy in mind that you think would mesh with Anya?” Mason asked.

“I do. I was trying to find out if she was single.”

“Who’s the guy?” Mason asked.

“None of your business,” she said, crossing her arms like her son had earlier. “It’s not like you’ll help me.”

“Nope,” Mason said. “Never. We’d rather all watch you spin your wheels.”

“Is Ben here?” she asked. No way she was getting anything out of her son so might as well tackle the next person in the building that might offer some insight.

“No,” Mason said. “He took the day off.”

Dang it. She hadn’t planned this well.

“Hmm, how about Jessica? I wouldn’t mind picking the kids up for her and having some fun or letting them spend the night.”

“Jessica is off with the kids today too, but if you call her, she might gladly hand them over and enjoy the afternoon off. I know I wouldn’t mind a night alone with my wife.”

She grinned and patted her son’s cheek. “Sorry. You don’t help me, I don’t help you.”

Watching his smile drop made her day.

17

ENOUGH FOR ME

“Hello, Jolene,” Grace said.

She had a meeting in ten minutes, but when she noticed who was calling, she had to find out if there were any updates.

Things were moving slowly for Matt, but she expected as much.

It’s not as if Anya was banging down the door to come visit them as she had when she was a child.

Matt didn’t live at home either. She saw her son at work and nothing else unless it was a holiday. Rarely did they talk about anything other than work.

“Grace,” Jolene said. “I wasn’t sure I would catch you.”

“I have to go in a few minutes. Do you have anything to report?”

“I wish I had more. I came in before Anya’s shift started today. I was lucky enough to get a glance at the schedule earlier in the week to know she’d be here. It’s easier to talk to her when she opens than when she comes in for the second shift and then closes.”

“Does she know what you’re doing?”

“I’m pretty sure now thanks to all the meddling.”

Grace laughed. “You know how ironic that sounds, don’t you?”

“I do,” Jolene said. “Between everyone calling me out in front of Anya, then my son blocking me, I didn’t get anywhere. I was on my way to see your son, but he’s off.”

“Ben or Matt?” she asked. “Matt’s here, but he was off yesterday.”