Page 66 of Word to the Wise

If I have to let this girl go, it’s going to ruin me for good. So I guess I’ll have to figure out how to keep her instead.

21

Reed

I'm still buzzing whenI make my way downstairs to Twisted Roses. Stepping inside, I find Lyla sitting behind the counter in the lobby, burning incense and flipping through a magazine.

It's a soothing scent that seeps to my nerves the moment I breathe it in.

I'm still trying to process what happened last night with Mason. The way he treated me like I mattered when I'm so used to feeling like I don't. How he took his time getting to know what makes me feel good. What makes me come.

I've never been held the way that he held me in his arms. And even if he was rough in all the ways that felt good, there was care behind it. It was the perfect balance of what I needed to feel safe and to let go. It was as if he knew exactly when to unleash and when to hold back.

Just thinking about it has my insides buzzing.

And if last night didn’t already have my heart in a constant state of suspension, this morning had me floating up to the clouds. Something changed when I found out he learned to cook for me. He’s already done somuch by letting me stay with him, but he had to take it a step further.

I’m still reconciling his nurturing nature with his dark past, but every time I come to the same conclusion: Mason is a good man who has done bad things.

And I fail to find it in me to hold it against him.

“Hey, didn't expect to see you here today.” Lyla smiles from behind the counter.

I walk over to her. “It feels like I've been working nonstop lately, and I just needed a break.”

“Well, you picked a busy day to drop in. All of them are busy right now. I think Echo’s finishing up, but she has another client right after. So, you’re stuck with me.” Lyla leans forward on the display case, smiling, even if she looks a little tired.

“Good thing you’re one of my favorite people then.” I reach for her hand and squeeze it. “How have you been feeling? Any better?”

“I wish.” She sighs. “When they say the first trimester kicks your ass, they aren’t joking. But at least I’m twelve weeks tomorrow, so hopefully, things will start to get better. And I made it out of the house today. That’s a win, and I’m claiming it.”

“As you should.”

“Tell your brother that.” Lyla rolls her eyes. “I swear I’m going to lose my mind if Sage insists that I spend another weekend in bed.”

“He’s just looking out for you.”

“I know, and he’s good at it.” She smirks.

“Not what I meant by that...” I scrunch my nose.

“Just stating facts.” She shrugs, unapologetically. “Speaking oflooking outfor people, why are you and Mason so cheery this morning?”

“I’m not cheery.” The moment I say it, I know it’s a lie.

I haven’t stopped smiling since getting out of the shower after breakfast. I guess that's what happens when you get multiple orgasms first thing in the morning.

“You are such a liar, Reed.” She shakes her head. “And so is he. If you think I'm going to believe for a second that you guys haven't done anything, you're mistaken. It's written all over both of your faces, and the second you talk to your brother, he’s going to say the exact same thing.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Except that my legs are boneless, and I’m pretty sure I’m still floating.

“Mm-hmm,” she hums.

When I propositioned Mason last night, I planned on it being a one-time thing to get it out of both of our systems. I don’t think I’m ready to jump from one relationship to another, so I hoped he’d understand that. But waking up this morning, I can’t deny what’s growing between us.

One press of his lips to mine and there might not be any going back. No matter how slowly I water my feelings for him, they’re bursting at the first hint of sunlight.