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20

MASON

Mason was glad he’d taken a cab to the show. The night had been a whirlwind and he’d gone too long without sleep, leaving him in zombie mode. Still processing, he barely remembered the ride to Tristan’s apartment, where Rain gathered Mouse and his things.

“No pets,” the driver barked as Rain tried to get into the car with the carrier but Mason pulled a few bills out of his wallet and thrust it in the man’s face. The cash was quickly snatched out of his hand and a half hour later they were dropped off in Gran’s driveway.

It sounded silly but the minute Rain set foot in the house, it felt like a home again. While Mouse had behaved throughout the car ride, she began mewing loudly once she hit familiar territory, sticking her paws through the holes in the carrier. Putting it down, Rain unlocked it and she squeezed out as soon as the door cracked open, immediately running to Mason and climbing him.

“Hi, Mo- Ow. Ow! Wait.” He pulled her free before she got to his shirt, placing her on his shoulders; she’d gotten so big that Mason could wear her like a stole. Her purr vibrated against him, warm and comforting, and she knocked her small skull into his temple as he reached up and scritched her ears. “Yes, I know. I missed you too.”

The last few hours had been wonderful for both his career and his heart, and this sweet girl was the cherry on top. Her pure love had joy bubbling up inside him and before he knew it, he let out a laugh.

“That is my favorite sound,” Rain declared, his gaze holding a few clouds which wasn’t surprising after the encounter with his mother. At least she wouldn’t be living in the same town anymore, that was one point in Rain’s favor, and the other was that Mason had sworn to protect him.

Still grinning, Mason’s second laugh got swallowed up by a yawn.

“I hate to say it, but you look like you’ve been awake for a year.” Drifting over to him, Rain stood on his toes, running fingers through Mason’s hair and giving him a full-body shiver. How had he become so addicted to someone’s touch? It was definitely witchcraft but he had no complaints.

“I can’t remember the last time I slept,” he admitted through another yawn.

“Then we should go to bed.” Snatching Mouse from his shoulders, Rain held her in his arms like a baby.

Holding back another yawn, Mason nodded and Rain bumped his arm affectionately, putting Mouse down. She strolled into the bedroom, the two of them right behind her, and as Rain quickly unpacked a few things, Mason got ready for bed, the two of them falling into their routine as if there’d been no interruption at all, their companionable silence filling the room with comfort once again.

Sliding under the quilt, Mason held his arm out and Rain snuggled up against him, fitting perfectly, his head right under Mason’s chin, and a strange sort of happiness washed over Mason; it took a moment for him to recognize it as contentment. He’d felt it before, during the first few years he’d lived with Gran, and it would soon become a familiar feeling because Rain had chosen to stay by his side.

“I love this room.” Rain let out a satisfied sigh, his voice soft, and that was the last thing Mason heard as his exhaustion caught up to him and he slipped under. When he finally woke up alone, it was close to noon.

Rubbing a hand through his hair, he looked around, wondering if Rain moving back in had been a dream, but before he could panic Mouse stuck her foot in the air and licked herself loudly on the end of the bed, bringing him back to reality.

The door cracked open and Rain peered in.

“Great, you’re awake! Stay right there.” And then he vanished.

Getting up, Mason quickly visited the bathroom and brushed his teeth, barely making it back onto the mattress before Rain strolled back with a tray of grapes, cheese, toast with butter and jelly, and a steaming cup of coffee.

“Good morning! You slept for so long I knew you’d be hungry.” Rain climbed onto the bed and Mason wished he could thank Rain; he wished that he could say anything, but his entire existence had narrowed down to the fact that Rain was wearing one of his shirts. It was a simple black cotton T-shirt with the Olympus logo on it, and Rain had bike shorts on underneath, but it kicked Mason’s brain offline anyway. He had to concentrate so he didn’t choke on a grape.

“Good morning.” Mason managed to get out, picking up the coffee. “Thank you very much. For breakfast.” He took a few sips, enjoying the rush of caffeine. “I like your shirt.”

“You’re welcome, and you’re right.” Rain leaned in, kissing him softly. “It’s my shirt now.”

Mason nodded. “You can have anything that’s mine. You already have my heart.”

“I didn’t know you could flirt.” Pink tinted Rain’s cheekbones.

“Is that flirting? I was telling you the truth.” This time, he knew what he was doing and as Rain’s blush deepened to red, Mason’s fingers twitched, wanting to grab a camera, but he kept them locked around the mug.

“Oh. Kay.” Rain flailed his hand, cutely embarrassed. “You uh, you have my heart too.” He said it bashfully, without any of his lascivious bravado, and it was intoxicating.

Gently putting the tray aside, Mason gestured and Rain instantly sat across his lap. Mouse trilled as if she were jealous.

“It’s my turn now, babygirl,” Rain told her, staring into Mason’s eyes. Drawn together, they kissed slowly, their tongues sliding against each other, and Mason’s core rumbled with happiness until Rain slowly pulled away, anxiety on his face.

“So, um…” he rubbed his swollen lips. “When I was at Tristan’s I started working on myself, on what happened to me as a kid, and I want to…can we take it slow? I’m trying to figure out who I am and who I want to be, and now that I’ve been doing this research and pulling everything apart it’s…it’s a lot. Urgh, I wish I could explain this better.” He held up his hands. “It’s not forever. I-”

“Rain.” Mason rarely interrupted people but he had something pressing to say. “Sex is not a condition. We do it if and when you’re ready. I’m not in love with you because of orgasms.”

That gray gaze cleared, showing Mason its expansive beauty. “You just said the perfect thing.”

“No one’s ever told me that before.”

Rain huffed a short laugh but his expression went serious again.

“Thank you for helping me face off against my mother last night.”

“You don’t have to thank me. How do you feel?” This close, Mason could see every nuance on Rain’s face as he went through a host of emotions.

“Weirdly cleansed. I’m sure she’ll still try to find me if things don’t work out with Josh but,” he let out a long breath, “I told her everything. And now I know how she really feels about me. But I don’t want to give her any more of my time, I’d rather focus on how we feel about each other!” He bit his lip, looking away. “And I need to clear the air.”

Apprehension pinched Mason’s brow as Rain turned back, meeting his eyes.

“I’m sorry for the miscommunication on the day of the fire and the week after. I was hurt and I know you were too, but I avoided you. I should’ve been more understanding.”

“Don’t apologize. You needed space and I wanted to give it to you.” With care, Mason placed a hand over Rain’s, keeping their gazes locked. “For the record, I did want to help you in the foyer, I saw how scared you were, but my body just wouldn’t move.”

“It’s not your fault. You were traumatized by Gage.” Face earnest, Rain leaned in a bit more. “And that’s all on him, I don’t hold anything against you.”

“Then it’s not your fault either,” Mason stated simply, wanting to reassure Rain. “He’s out of the picture now, so you don’t have to worry about him anymore.”

Rain squinted, studying him. “Mason, did you have something to do with Gage going back to prison?”

“Yes. After what he did to us, I couldn’t let him go. I found your SD card-”

“The one from my room? I thought I lost it.” Rain’s eyes were like saucers and a shiver rippled through him. “I could never bring myself to watch the footage.”

“Good.” Relief washed over Mason and he rubbed his palms up Rain’s arms, instinctively calming him.

“But you watched it?” Mason nodded, and Rain stared at him in concerned awe. “Mason…”

“It was worth it. He did things on there that he shouldn’t have done, so I brought it to Ms. Chauhan. She contacted his parole officer. According to what I found online, Gage was combative on the way in and had drugs in his system, which means he’ll be in prison for a while.” It wasn’t like Mason had framed Gage; this was cause and effect. If Gage hadn’t been such an abhorrent human being, then this wouldn’t have happened to him.

“Oh my god, Mason.” Rain covered his mouth with both hands. “It was you. Oh my god.”

“I did this for me and you. For us.” Mason swallowed. It still took some effort to let down his walls but it was becoming easier and easier, especially when Rain looked at him with such adoration. “I’m not as brave as you. I can’t face off against my bullies but I still wanted them out of my life, so I got rid of them by using a bigger bully.”

“Ms. Chauhan.” Rain dropped his hands.

“This isn’t high school or my parents’ house anymore. I don’t have to hide and hope for someone to protect me. I can protect myself.” The rumbling inside rose up, giving his words a growl. “And I want to protect you.”

Rain’s eyebrows flew up but a pleased smile graced his face. “How about we protect each other?”

Warmth surrounded Mason’s heart and he leaned in, kissing Rain slowly, their lips making a click as they parted.

“Agreed.” They stared into each other’s eyes, confirming their bond without speaking, and Mason reached out, grabbing the Pentax he always kept beside the bed. Turning it, he framed both of them, and Rain put his head on Mason’s shoulder, a soft smile on his face. While Mason’s lips stayed in a line, he knew his features were at peace, relaxed, and he pressed the shutter, taking the very first picture of them together.

Pecking Mason on the cheek, Rain slid off his lap and replaced it with the tray.

“Eat, please. I know you were living on instant noodles and coffee while I was away.” He winked and stretched out, lounging on the bed next to him.

“Maybe.” Mason didn’t want Rain to know how right he was but the way he inhaled the food told on him. Mouse got up, circled, and settled back down in the same spot, so Rain reached over to scratch her behind the ears and they all sat together in soothing silence, enjoying breakfast as a family.

A buzz sounded from the nightstand and he glanced at his phone. Old habits had him not wanting to pick it up, but if he wanted to springboard off the exhibition and get his career going again, then there was no more room for fear. Toast in one hand, he grabbed the phone with the other.

No, that couldn’t be right. Scrolling, Mason’s mouth fell open.

“Is everything okay?” Rain sat up and Mason showed him the screen.

“Seven calls, four appointment requests, and five texts, all from people who were there last night.” He flipped the phone back, continuing to read.

“What do they want?” Rain shuffled closer, looking over Mason’s shoulder, and that hint of lavender teased his nostrils.

“To book a portrait.” He flicked to the next text. “Asking if I do events.” He could hear the eye-roll in his tone. Pulling up an email, he frowned in contemplation. “This person wants to know if I do corporate work.”

“Mason, that’s amazing!” Rain latched onto him, bouncing in excitement and Mason gave him a secret smile. This was a golden ticket to his dreams but he needed to do everything right.

“Rain.” Turning to face him, he slowed their excitement, taking a deep breath. “Would you like to be my manager? Not to screen my calls but to help me handle all these new clients. I’ll teach you everything I know about photography. I also want your drone. I mean, your drone work. When you get your license. I-”

Rain put a hand over his lips, taking it away and quickly kissing them. “It’s okay, I know what you mean, and yes .”

It doubled Mason’s joy to hear Rain enthusiastically agree and he gave himself over to the sensation, wrapping his arms around Rain and holding him close.

“Thank you,” he murmured into that silky hair.

“Shouldn’t I be thanking you ?” Rain pulled back a bit, his face soft with happiness, his eyes clear and bright. “Okay, let’s do this!”

They spent the next hour responding to calls and Rain proved to be an asset whenever Mason wasn’t sure what to say or if a client had an odd request, and his calendar slowly filled for the next six weeks. If this continued, then by the end of the year he wouldn’t have to book weddings anymore. There wasn’t anything wrong with event photography, it just wasn’t his passion, and now that he’d been given this second chance, he was going to work hard to pursue his passion full time.

By the end, Mason wasn’t drained; in fact, his motivation had started to wake from its long sleep, stirring under his skin. Despite the frenzy as he’d approached opening night, in his time apart from Rain, Mason had started this feedback loop where the more books he read and the more he did, the more capable he felt, and small tasks had slowly become easier to manage which made him want to read and do more.

“Did you like, take your vitamins or something? Because you never liked dealing with people and you’re um…” Still on the bed, Rain slowly parted his hands, clearly searching for the right word. “Much better at it.”

“Thank you.” Mason took that as the highest compliment because Rain no longer saw him as needy and avoidant, but capable. He sat on the mattress, close to Rain. “I’ve been working on myself too. I wanted to be worthy of you.”

“Mason…” Rain’s tender gaze swallowed him whole. “You are worthy of me, okay?” Leaning in, he put a hand on the back of Mason’s neck and pulled him close for another sweet kiss. “I love you.”

He’d never get tired of hearing that. It made every obstacle, every struggle, everything he’d ever been through worth it, because it had brought Rain to him, and the next five words were a pledge that he’d do whatever he could to stay worthy.

“I love you too, Rain.” And he had one last thing to share with his elfin prince. Getting up, he held out his hand. “Come with me?”

“Anywhere.” The way Rain said it had Mason feeling even more elated, and he rode that sensation all the way upstairs, stopping in front of Gran’s bedroom door.

“Is this…?” Rain asked, glancing at Mason.

“Yes, it’s her room.” Reaching up into one of the hallway sconces, he fished out a grimy skeleton key and Rain let out a cross between a scoff and a giggle.

“Are you serious ?”

Mason slipped the key in. “I didn’t start locking it until my family contested the will. But I can leave it open now. And I wanted you to see it.”

“Have you been in there since she passed?” Rain watched him jiggle the handle as it resisted the turn.

“A few times to clean and to sit on the bed.” And cry. But he hadn’t done that in a long time, not since Ollie had moved in. “But while we were apart, I used her library.”

“Her what?” Rain echoed as the key finally twisted and the door opened with a long creak.

Silently, they both stepped inside, and Mason inhaled. The room hadn’t smelled like her in a long time and his heart sank a little, but it bounced back up as Rain stopped in his tracks, letting out a gasp of disbelief.

“Are you kidding me? It is a library.”

“Gran liked self-help books.” He gestured toward the far wall, which was one giant floor-to-ceiling bookcase that had a carved-out nook in its center for the bed, and it was filled past capacity. “She needed them after being married to my grandfather. She said they helped her a lot and she constantly nagged me to read them.” He let out a small huff that held a lot of guilt. “I should’ve listened to her because I picked one up a few weeks ago and she was right, they do help. And I thought they could help you too.”

“That’s the path I’ve been taking, books and online research.” Rain bounced over to the expansive shelves, browsing a few titles. “I know therapy works and I’ll get there eventually but…” he shuddered. “My Mom dated her therapist and he didn’t touch me, but he was super mean.”

“He should be disbarred for that.” Mason was rarely surprised by tales from Rain’s childhood anymore but this one had him quirking an eyebrow.

“He was.” Pulling a book free, Rain read the back cover. “And good because who hates a five-year-old that much? Like, he used to stare at me with this…this rage. It put me off from the whole talk therapy thing.”

“I tried therapists because Gran wanted me to, but…” He echoed Rain’s shudder.

“But you don’t talk.” Rain turned to Mason, book in hand.

“No.” Mason was going to say more but Rain’s jaw dropped open.

“Wait, is that an easel back there? Are those paintings?” He leaned out, peering around Mason. “This room is ridiculous!”

“It was two bedrooms but my grandfather turned it into a master suite. When he died, she threw out all of his things and made that area into her studio.” Mason had long since cleaned it up and the easel stood empty, but the works that lined the walls spoke of her love of painting.

Walking over to the windows, he pushed back the gauzy curtains, letting in more light, and memories washed over him but this time he didn’t push them away. This time he let them in, and while tinged with melancholy they didn’t hurt as much as he’d expected.

“I love hearing things about Joyce, she was such a queen.” Rain squinted at a figurine on the dresser. “Mason…is that a cricket?” He pointed, his cheeks puffing as he held back a giggle.

Mason nodded once, solemnly. “She got it at a yard sale when I was three, said it reminded her of me.”

“Stop being so adorable.” He stroked it once with the tip of his index finger and then straightened up, heading toward Mason, but his foot caught on a stack of circular cans, and one fell over. It opened and a long strip of film unwound, falling out.

“Oh my god, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Kneeling, Rain placed the book next to him, winding the strip back into the canister. “What is this?”

“Eight-millimeter film of my grandmother from the sixties to the eighties. I found it after she died.” Even though he’d known the end was coming, it still hit him hard and after she passed he’d done nothing for months, sandwiched between caregiver burnout and grief until he’d woken up one day with a need to scour the house, to know more about the woman who’d left him. He’d found the film canisters at the bottom of a box that held several of her housecoats and had thought about getting them transferred, but his avoidance hadn’t allowed it.

“That’s so cool. You can see her when she was young!” Carefully picking up another canister, Rain studied the label.

“I haven’t watched them. I know I’d see her but I’d also see my grandfather too. And my dad as a miniature bully.”

“Ah.” He put the canisters down. As he stood, his eye caught something else and Mason watched him loom over Gran’s jewelry display. “Oh wow, that’s pretty.”

“What is?” Mason joined him by the dresser, picking up Rain’s book along the way.

“That silver bracelet, it sparkles.” He stroked it, looking up at Mason, but then his gaze shifted and his eyebrows shot up. “This bedroom has a balcony?” Dashing to the doors, Rain slid them open and walked out despite the December chill. Wrapping his arms around himself, he looked over the yard. “There’s the weeping willow!”

Usually, Mason couldn’t take his eyes off Rain but his attention was divided between him and the bracelet. It gleamed, capturing his attention in the same way Rain did, and Mason rubbed his chin, considering.

Cricket, if you don’t give that to him, I’ll kick your butt.

With the holidays approaching fast, they’d finally gotten snow and Mason woke up that morning almost shaking with enthusiasm. Between the time without Rain and the long days before the exhibition, he’d been sure that he’d drained his creativity for good. But that couldn’t have been further from the truth because now that his elfin prince was back, he’d been blasted by a surge of inspiration so vast that his brain spun at twice the speed.

He needed to offload some ideas and another modeling session sprung out of the dream-fogged swirl in his mind. They hadn’t shot anything together since their autumn tryst under the weeping willow, so this would be a fresh start.

“Let’s do an outdoor shoot.” He leaned over Rain, who was sprawled across the bed, still blinking sleep out of his eyes.

“Good morning to you too.” A drowsy grin spread across his face as Mouse approached, walking between them and begging. “Okay, where?”

“Gran’s balcony.” The winter sky would stretch out perfectly behind Rain, matching his gorgeous eyes.

Sitting up, Rain gathered Mouse close, cuddling her.

“Hell yeah. But first, I have to feed the starving feline and take a shower. Oh! I can bring Mouse out for a few photos. I got her a harness.” He smirked dangerously. “Maybe I should get one too.”

Mason blinked. “Why? You’re not a cat.”

Rain stared at him for a moment before laughing. “Prepare your cameras, I’ll get ready.”

An hour later, Mason was bundled in his jacket and scarf, kneeling on the carpet in Gran’s room and capturing Rain through the open doors as he posed on the balcony. Since snow liked to trick the exposure, Mason had needed a few tester shots but he knew that even if he had it wrong, whatever pictures he took would be nearly perfect since Rain had outdone himself.

Stunning in a long magenta parka and matching earmuffs, Rain looked like a deity against all that white, and he certainly carried himself like one, for he modeled as if it were second nature, languidly twisting and turning his body, letting his hair flow free in the wind, and Mason seized it all, snatching every move, every blink, feeling the tug as he pulled Rain’s soul through the lens.

“Break time!” Rain declared after a while, jumping back into the bedroom and shivering. Mason closed the doors, rubbing hands up and down Rain’s arms, trying to warm him up, and the beaming smile he got in return would feed him for the rest of his life.

A demanding meow rang out on the other side of the door and Rain darted over, letting Mouse in. She was already in her harness, and Rain grabbed the leash he’d brought upstairs with him, attaching it and hefting her in his arms before going back outside.

As if on instinct, Mason started snapping away, taking close-ups as Rain rocked Mouse in his arms, cooing at her. She stared at him suspiciously before blinking slowly, and Rain began to pose with her, gently changing positions until she began to wiggle.

“You want to see snow, Mousey-girl?” Rain placed her at his feet and Mason crouched, framing her.

Mouse just stood there for a few seconds, her golden eyes perplexed, her nose going a mile a minute. Eventually, she lifted a paw, and after much hesitation took a step.

Letting out a warbly cry, she shook the paw violently and looked up at Rain.

“Okay, girl, I gotcha. Not a fan of it, huh?” Picking her up, he booped her nose, his eyes clear and calm. Entranced, Mason could only stare, forgetting about the camera in his hands until Rain shivered again.

“Let’s go inside.” Standing up, he pulled a plastic bag from his coat, putting the camera inside.

“Is that because of the cold?” Rain asked, eyes on it.

“Yes. The bag warms the camera up gradually, preventing condensation.” Mason gestured and they both stepped into the house.

“Ah.” Removing their shoes, they left the bedroom and Rain detached Mouse’s leash once they got downstairs, shrugging off his coat and showing Mason the skintight catsuit he wore underneath.

Freezing in place, Mason studied how the fabric clung to Rain’s body, hugging him in just the right way, and his fingers twitched, not wanting the shutter but wanting to touch, to trace, to claim. He must’ve been staring for too long because Rain smirked.

“You should take a picture, it’ll last longer.” Approaching, he stood on his toes, giving Mason a kiss that started chaste but before Mason could blink Rain was sucking on his tongue, and Mason’s brain short-circuited.

Cock instantly hard, Mason explored the smooth fabric, wishing he could feel the skin underneath. Pushing Rain back, Mason trapped him against the counter, nibbling on his neck and enjoying the soft sounds he made, how he clutched at Mason’s shoulders, his bulge obvious. Aligning their hips, Mason pressed a bit and Rain gasped.

And then he stilled in Mason’s grasp, his eyes filling with fear.

It was like being dunked in ice, and Mason instantly pulled away, holding up his hands as he stepped back, giving Rain space.

Pale and shaky, Rain wrapped his arms around himself, taking deep breaths through his nose.

“S-Sorry I-”

“Nothing to apologize for.” Mason lowered his arms, emoting concern and support at Rain. “I meant it when I said that sex wasn’t necessary. I didn’t mean for it to go that far.”

“No, I liked it.” Walking over to the couch, Rain curled up in the corner and Mason joined him, wanting to put a hand on Rain’s leg or shoulder to comfort him, but he’d wait until Rain initiated touch. “Ever since I accepted that I was sexually abused, I’ve been getting these…flashes. I’ve been remembering things, it’s like I opened the floodgates.”

“That’s understandable. Is that what happened a few minutes ago?”

Rain nodded, turning one of his hands palm up. Relieved, Mason grasped it, trying to radiate comfort through his skin.

“I can’t predict when it’s going to happen, but sex might be a trigger for it.” Rain sighed. “I feel like I’m punishing you when I should be thanking you.”

Mason slightly tilted his head. “Thanking me?”

“Yes. I didn’t even know that I’d been abused. You were the one to point it out.” Tears glittered in Rain’s eyes but he blinked them away. “Thank you for telling me, for helping me see. And thank you for being patient while I sort this out.”

“You don’t have to thank me. You choose when you’re ready and we can always stop. I will never be upset.” All Mason wanted was to have Rain by his side, to be able to look at that stunning face whenever he wanted, to reap the inspiration it brought, and to share his every breath with him.

“I know.” Rain interlaced their fingers, holding on tight. “That’s why I feel safe with you.”

While the photos from the winter shoot had come out divine, Mason kept picking up the picture of them together, the selfie he’d taken the morning after their reunion. He’d used a few simple techniques along with some unusual choices in the darkroom and the results had blown him away.

Turning, Mason studied the blank wall where the shrine had been. Only marks and small pieces of tape were left, showing him the scars of their relationship, but those scars were healing. In fact, they’d been talking more than they ever had.

And Rain was blooming. Aside from handling Mason’s schedule, he’d raided Gran’s library and had torn through three books to Mason’s one, chatting nonstop about meditating under the weeping willow as soon as it got warmer. He still slept a lot and took up a ridiculous amount of the bed, drooling and mumbling, but after those barren and bleak nights alone, Mason was more than happy with his tiny sliver of mattress. He’d sleep on the floor if he had to, as long as they stayed together.

Grabbing some tape, he walked over to the wall, placing their photo in the center. This time, the shrine would be for them.

His pocket buzzed and it was so nice to answer it without hesitation; however, once he saw the caller his mouth went dry and his heart leapt into his throat.

“Hello, Ms. Chauhan.”

“Hello, Mr. Hart. I told you that the next time we spoke I would have good news. It’s handled. The house is yours.”

“…the house is mine?” Mason echoed, letting it sink in. Rain appeared in the doorway, eyes wide, hands clasped against his chest.

Ms. Chauhan chuckled and even that sounded threatening. “Yes. It’s yours. I would say officially but you do need to come in and sign a few things. I’ll have the front desk call you with an appointment.”

“I don’t have to go to court?” Hope bloomed in his chest, matching the excitement in Rain’s eyes.

“Not if I’m your lawyer. It turns out that the will was as solid as I thought.” Mason could practically see the expression on her face. “Congratulations, and I’m looking forward to our portrait session.”

She hung up before he could reply and he stared at his phone, trying to process, barely able to form words. He’d been carrying the burden of losing the house for so long that he hadn’t realized its weight until it vanished. All of a sudden, he felt light as a feather, his heart free. The house was his. No. It was theirs .

Looking at Rain, he smiled.

“We won.”

“ What! ” Rain jumped into his arms with a happy shriek.

“We won!” Mason said louder, just to hear it again, and Rain let out a laugh.

“That’s amazing ! Ohmygod you’re soooo gonna need to send Liam a cookie basket or something for hooking you up like this.”

“I will.” Mason set Rain down and cupped his cheek, heart beating fast as Rain leaned into the touch, his eyes like an endless slate sky. “Thank you for all your help. You found Ms. Chauhan for us, you put the file together, and you saved this house. Our house.”

“Our house?” Rain blinked, tears shimmering in his gaze. “I like the sound of that. You know, even though I never met Joyce, I’m sure she would be really proud of you.”

I am, Cricket. I’ve always been so proud.

Mason’s eyes stung even though he smiled. “Yes, she would.”