Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
My eyes snapped open, and I took a step back to give myself some distance from Mason’s heat.
Our eyes met, and for a moment, I swore he felt it too. The pull between us. The undeniable attraction that was there.
Stop this, Palmer! You were the one who told him you only wanted to be friends.
Friends.
Friends.
Friends.
“Thank you for letting me spend the holiday with you and your family.”
Mason cleared his throat. “Of course. Charlie loved having you here.”
I smiled, but I had to admit it hurt a little that he hadn’t included himself in that statement. What did I expect though? I had told him nothing could happen between us. Right now, I was seriously asking myself why I’d made that stupid rule.
“We all loved having you here,” Jen added with a warm smile.
“Yes!” Mason said. “All of us.”
I felt my cheeks heat, and I turned away from Mason to focus on his mother and father. “Thank you so much, Jen, for all the amazing food. And to both of you for making this such a great day. I haven’t had this much fun in a long time.”
Dan walked up and gave me a hug. “The same goes for me, kiddo. I hope we’ll see you again soon.”
Jen nodded. “Yes, please say you’ll come over for dinner at least a few more times before we head back to Boston.”
Smiling, I replied, “I would love that, thank you.”
The four of us stood in the kitchen and looked around at one another before I said, “Well, I should get home and check on my parents and brother. Thank you again, I had a lovely time.”
Mason stepped forward. “I’ll walk you to your place since it’s gotten dark out.”
“You don’t have to do that, Mason. Honestly, I’ll be fine.”
Jen moved to give me a hug. “Nonsense. Let the boy walk you home.”
Before I could argue with her, the doorbell rang. Everyone stood there, clearly confused.
“Who in the world would that be on Christmas at nearly eight at night?” Jen asked.
Mason headed to the front door as he added, “And with a blizzard outside.”
For a moment, I panicked. “You don’t think it has to do with one of my parents, do you?”
Jen shook her head. “No, darling, I’m sure they’re fine.”
I turned and followed Mason, with Jen and Dan in tow.
When Mason opened the door, I heard Jen gasp and Dan curse.
A beautiful woman stood in the doorway with her black coat covered in white snow. She certainly wasn’t dressed for the blizzard that was happening outside.
No one said anything while Mason stared at her. Pieces of her brown hair peeked out from her hat, and then she smiled up at Mason…and I caught sight of her blue eyes. I instantly knew who she was.
Charlie’s mother.
Her eyes flicked past Mason to take in Jan and Dan, and then me. She frowned slightly before plastering another smile on her face as she focused back on Mason. “Are you going to make the mother of your child stand outside in the freezing cold, or may I come in?”
Mason
I couldn’t believe my eyes. There was no fucking way that Ashley was standing there. An instant rush of anger swept over me, and the only thing I could think was thank God Charlie had already fallen asleep.
When Ashley spoke, she pulled me out of my shocked stupor.
“What in the hell are you doing here?” I asked.
She sighed and rolled her eyes. “Mason, I’m freezing, and it’s taken me forever to find where you live. The least you can do is invite me in.”
“Like hell I will. You can take your ass back to whatever rock you crawled out from under. Or better yet, go back to Nick.”
Mom cleared her throat, and I glanced back over my shoulder. That’s when I remembered Palmer was still here.
Shit.
Facing Ashley again, I said, “If you have something to talk about you can call my lawyer; otherwise, you need to leave.”
Ashley drew in a long, deep breath and then exhaled. “It’s dark, and I’m tired, cold, and hungry. Stop being such a jerk and let me in. It’s Christmas, after all.”
I wanted to strangle her.
“I don’t care what day it is; you’re not coming into the house.”
“Where am I supposed to go then, Mason?”
I let out a harsh laugh. “Not my problem, Ash.”
She started to look alarmed. “Where am I supposed to find a place to stay on Christmas?”
“Again, not my problem,” I said. “You should have thought of that before you decided to come to Seaside.”
I felt Palmer step closer to me. She placed her hand on my arm. “Maybe you should let her come in before someone sees you arguing out here.”
Shaking my head, I looked at Palmer. “She’s not coming anywhere near Charlie.”
Palmer glanced at Ashley and back to me. “My house then?”