Page 108 of Word to the Wise

Still, it’s been silent.

Too silent.

There hasn’t even been an email in a few days. It should be comforting, but I know Carter well enough that it isn’t.

“Just be safe.” Mason grabs the back of my head and pulls me in for a kiss. “Nothing’s allowed to happen to you.”

“Okay, Mr. Overprotective.” I smile at him.

Mason’s hands slide down to my ass as he leans to whisper in my ear. “Yep. And I’m not going to apologize for it.”

He smacks me on the ass and catches me when I squeal.

“Have fun with Lyla.”

Tipping up onto my toes, I brush his jaw with my hand and give him a kiss. “Will do, big guy. See you tonight.”

He winks, handing me the keys and watching me walk around the car.

“Love you.” I smile, climbing in.

He leans down against the open window. “Love you too.”

I’m still healing old wounds, and although I’d like to take him saying that at face value, sometimes I can’t help waiting for the fallout. For the day he starts smiling less and gets irritated more.

Logically, I know Mason isn’t Carter. But the battle wounds on my heart are a little more convincing.

It’s a resistance I’m trying to not give into. Handing my trust to a man was easier at twenty when I didn’t know what to expect. Mason continually has to prove himself, and part of me feels guilty for that, even if he doesn’t complain.

He’s been patient. Neither of us walked into this unscathed. We’re both trying to put our past traumas to the side so we can be right for ourselves and each other.

Turning the key in the car, the engine takes a moment to come to life. Mason is still smiling at me from the curb because he knows nothing about cars. But something doesn’t sound right.

Leaning back, I listen to the gurgling hum of the engine, and my eyes drop to the steadily climbing temperature gauge.

Something is definitely wrong.

Reaching for the key, I shut the car off before it dies.

“Miss me already.” Mason smiles, walking up to the car to lean through the passenger window.

But as he takes in my tense expression, his smile slowly falls.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure.” Popping open my car door, I step out. “Something’s not right.”

I really hate knowing what I do about cars. Because I know enough to know this isn’t going to be an easy fix. Which means I’m probably not making it to see Lyla today unless I want to inconvenience my brother and have him come pick me up.

I circle the car and pop the hood. The moment I do, a cloud of white smoke billows up at me as Mason comes to a stop at my side.

It’s almost cute how he eyes the engine with complete confusion. One of these days, I need to take him up on hisoffer to teach him a thing or two about cars. Because him not servicing it might be what got us into this situation.

“Find the problem yet?” I smile up at him when his eyebrows pinch.

“Of course.” He grins, crossing his arms over his chest. “It’s one of those things.”

“Those things?” I tease.