Page 71 of Making It Burn

Mason

Ipulled up to Beau’s apartment building just as the sky was starting to lighten.

“This is ridiculous,” Beau said from the passenger seat.“We could just go in together.Say we carpooled or something.”

“Beau,” I patted him on the knee.“Let’s play it safe.There’s more than one attorney at the firm gunning for partner.They’d definitely use it against us.’

“Mason, you’re overthinking this.”

I gripped the steering wheel tighter.“I’m being careful.There’s a difference.”

“Is there?”Beau turned to face me fully.“Because it feels like you’re already regretting this.”

“I’m not—” I stopped, forcing myself to take a breath.“I’m not regretting anything.Look, I just...we need to be smart about this.If people find out we’re together, there could be consequences.”

“What kind of consequences?”

“Being ostracized.Losing out on assignments.Getting passed over for partnership.”The words tumbled out, all the fears I’d been holding since we left my apartment.“Carter could decide we’re a liability.Patsy could think we’re unprofessional.The other associates could—”

“Mason.”Beau reached over and took my hand.“Breathe.”

“I am breathing.”

“Barely.”His thumb traced circles on my palm.“Look, I get it.You’re scared.But we can be careful without acting like we’re committing a crime.We work together, Mason.We’re allowed to be in the same building.”

“I know that.I just think it’s better if we arrive separately.Keep our personal and professional lives completely separate.”

Beau studied me for a long moment, and I couldn’t read his expression.“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yeah.If that’s what you need, we’ll do it your way.”He leaned over and kissed me.“But Mason?At some point, we’re going to have to figure out what we’re actually doing here.Because I’m not interested in hiding forever.”

“I know.We will.I just need time to think about how to handle this.”

“Alright.”Beau opened the door and grabbed his bags from the back seat.“I’ll see you at the office.Try not to give yourself an ulcer before eight AM.”

He walked toward his building, and I watched until he disappeared inside.Then I sat there for another five minutes, my head resting against the steering wheel, trying to ignore the voice in my head that said I was being an idiot.

This was the right call.We needed to be careful.Professional.Smart.

So why did it feel like I was already fucking this up?

* * *

Every time I heard footsteps in the hall, my head snapped up, wondering if it was Beau.

This was going to be an endless day.

A knock on my door made me jump.Lisa poked her head in, grinning.“Morning, sunshine.You’re here early.”

“Just catching up on some work.”

“Uh-huh.”She walked in, holding two cups of coffee.“Here.You look like you need it.”

“Thanks.”I took the cup gratefully.“What’s up?”

“Meeting in Conference Room B in five minutes.Carter wants the entire team there.”She leaned against my desk.“Probably to congratulate you and Beau on the MediCorp deal.How was New Orleans, by the way?”