I can’t believe I didn’t even know him this morning and now his naked body is inches from mine.
Before I overthink it, I blurt out, “Want to help me?”
“Do the list?”
“Yeah? Be my list buddy.”
“I’ll be your list buddy, sure,” he says, nodding.
“We’ll do every single thing that the Neanderthal said no to before the end of the summer.”
I can’t help but smile at his determination.
But then a thought hits me, and my cheeks warm.
“Um, almost everything,” I correct.
“Why not everything?” Mason frowns.
“There are things on the list that we just wouldn’t be able to do,” I say vaguely, sinking into the water up to my eyes to hide my face.
Mason watches me for a moment before his lips curve into a mischievous smirk.
“You mean sex things.”
“Shut up!” I groan, splashing water in his direction. He laughs, splashing me back.
“Anyway,” I mumble, my cheeks still burning.
“Is there anything you want to do?”
Mason hesitates, his green eyes flicking away for a moment before returning to mine.
“I’ve always wanted to jump off that waterfall just out of town.”
“Then add it to the list,” I say, relieved by the shift in conversation.
“I’ll jump with you.”
“Deal,” he says, giving me a penetrating look.
The only sound is the soft lapping of water against the pool’s edge.
Feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of his gaze, I sink into the water.
? ? ?
Two days later, I’m getting ready to meet Mason for a run when I hear a banging on my front door.
I open it to be greeted by an angry-looking Harry and Ava.
My body is instantly overcome with anxiety.
Did they find out I hung out with Mason Cooper? They love me, but sleeping with the enemy is a capital offense at Ridgewood.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Ava demands. I’m frozen, but she continues, “I can’t believe you broke up with Olly.” She steps around me to get inside.
“Yeah, I broke up with Olly,” I say, relaxing my shoulders.
THAT secret I can deal with being out.
My house would be burning to the ground right this moment if they knew about Mason.
That’s how much Harry hates him.
Harry wraps his arms around me in one of his famous bear hugs.
“You okay, babe?” he asks, looking down at me.
“I’m fine. We just had a fight and broke up,” I lie.
I don’t want everyone knowing he cheated on me.
I’ll be the laughingstock of the school, and if I tell Ava everyone will know.
I love her, but she can’t keep a secret to save her life.
“What’d you fight about? He wouldn’t tell us.” She pouts.
“Leah’s taken his side,” she adds.
“It’s none of anyone’s business,” I snap.
“We fought. I broke up with him. End of story,” I state, breaking out of Harry’s hug and grabbing my keys and phone.
“I’m about to go for a run.”
“Lily, we care about you,” Ava says.
“I know. I just don’t want to talk about it.” I sigh, hoping they’ll drop it.
“Talking about it will help,” she says gently as she touches my shoulder.
“I’m here if you need me.”
“Want some company on your run?” Harry offers with a sad smile.
“No, thanks. I just need some alone time,” I lie.
Alone time with Mason…
“Okay, I’ll text you later,” he says softly. He seems to understand.
“And I’ll come around tonight,” Ava adds, not giving me an opening to say no.
I drive the short distance to the trail, get out, and start running.
Mason and I agreed to meet halfway down the trail, so people wouldn’t see us together from the road.
I round a corner and find him waiting where I first saw him, though this time he’s wearing clothes.
Barely. A tiny pair of shorts and no shirt.
Beads of sweat drip down his bare chest.
“Fancy meeting you here, princess,” he smirks. I catch him looking at my legs.
“Surprised you’re not skinny dipping,” I say.
“Surprised you’re not-you seemed to enjoy it the other night,” he says with that damn grin of his.
Just thinking about the other night makes me blush, so I turn away, start walking.
He falls in step with me.
“I was trying to be able to run this whole trail by the start of school,” I say, “but I don’t feel like that’s happening.”
“Another thing for the list!” he declares.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.