“Nope.” Sky shook his head, staring out the passenger window and reciting the names of new businesses as they drove down Main Street. “But it’s a library, so it’ll be awesome. Libraries are always awesome,” he murmured, then tapped the glass. “When did Mo’s close?” he asked angrily and looked at Mason like he was responsible.
“After Mo died…”
“No! That sucks. Mo was the best and his ice cream was my favorite.” Sky crossed his arms over his chest and pouted at the windshield.
“I’m sorry.” Mason reached over and gave Sky’s arm a squeeze. “His daughter, ‘Tisha, is still around. I’ll see if she has Mo’s vanilla ice cream recipe and try to replicate it for you,” he offered.
Sky’s head swung around and his brows pinched. “Who would do that?” he laughed, then rolled his eyes. “You would. That’s exactly the sort of thing you love doing,” he said but he made it sound like a bad thing.
They had arrived and Mason pulled into a spot by the front door. “I’m sorry?” he attempted but Sky made apfft!sound.
“No, you’re not. Being the most thoughtful jerk on the planet is your thing, Mase. You’d probably fly to Madagascar and pick the vanilla pods yourself, then milk a cow for fresh cream if ‘Tisha told you it was part of Mo’s process. You’ll do whatever it takes to make sure it’s perfect and afterwards, you’ll tell me it wasn’t any trouble.”
“It definitely wouldn’t be that much trouble. I probably have most of the ingredients at home.”
Mason thought that “thoughtful jerk” was perfectly accurate and well-deserved. He couldn’t explain why he was pushing his luck with Sky and setting them both up for heartache. Every bit of his common sense warned that they had gone too far and to turn back at once, but huge chunks of his heart and his soul already belonged to Sky. Everything that wasn’t reserved for Sam, Sina, and his parents was Sky’s and always had been.
Those parts craved more and reveled in every moment with Sky. After years of missing him and wishing for another chance to see him and hear his voice, it was impossible not to stare and want to be closer. It didn’t matter how much it hurthim, Mason would pay any price for more time with Sky. He knew it would cost Sky just as much, if not more, but Mason couldn’t stop himself and he couldn’t hold back.
At least we’d have this.
There was no telling what might happen down the road. They’d always wonder if they should have tried and what it would have been like. Now, they finally knew that they had somethingreal, even if it only lasted for a handful of days, and it wasgood. Neither would waste time worrying if it was all in his head or if he was a coward. And if some wild opportunity arose, they would know if it was worth the risk or worth waiting for.
Mason didn’t want to overwhelm Sky more than he already was by sharing all of his rationalizations. “I have a really nice ice cream maker in the pantry. Sina gave it to me for my birthday a few years ago.”
“Awesome. Maybe you could find a recipe book while we’re here,” Sky said, tilting his head toward the library impatiently. “Don’t forget your sweet tote,” he teased over his shoulder before pushing open the truck’s door and getting out.
“What’s wrong with my tote?” Mason asked as he reached back and grabbed the black and pink bag. It stayed on a hook by the front door and Sam and Sina dropped their library books in it when they were done with them.
“Nothing,” Sky said with a smirk. “You like big books and you cannot lie.”
He also liked big butts and the silly song.
“It’s true.” Mason pulled the straps over his shoulder and joined Sky on the sidewalk. “Most of the time.”
“Hmm.” It was a neutral hum and Sky seemed more interested in the library’s bright new atrium. “This is great!” He gestured overhead at the skylight that ran the length of the building.
As was Sky’s habit when he was out with those he trusted, he walked with his shoulder pressed against Mason’s so he wouldn’t trip or crash into anything while he stared at the sky or anything of interest around him, really. It was why he had such a hard time moving around the city on his own, Sky had confided. Hecouldn’t leave his apartment without noise-canceling headphones and rarely took his eyes off his phone if he was alone. That was another reason why he was so attached to Kayla. She understood and enjoyed being his sidekick in the city.
“Oh, wow! It’s you!” Audrey Campbell bounced excitedly behind the counter and pointed at Sky, but Mason pretended it was aimed at him.
“Calm down, Audrey. I might be the mayor, but I put my pants on one leg at a time. Besides, you saw me last week.” He took the stack of books out of his bag and slid them toward her.
“You know I adore you,” she told Mason, then smiled at Sky, looking a tad starstruck. “We keep ordering more copies of your book, but we can’t keep them on the shelf! It’s our longest hold!”
“Really?” That’s—!” Sky covered his face as he ducked and blushed. “So kind. Thank you. Please, stop.”
Only Sky could hate being famous and make it adorable. I love him even more now.
They looked at Mason and he realized he had sighed out loud.
Stop swooning, dummy.
“Did our holds come in?” he asked Audrey. “I’ve been looking forward to picking them up.”
“And you’re telling me to calm down,” she said with a wink at Sky. “Let me check. I’m pretty sure I stacked a few for the Cartwrights this morning.” Audrey turned to her computer and efficiently typed in their names. “Six books. Be right back!” She dashed into the room to her left and reappeared a moment later, holding up a hockey romance with an illustrated cover. “Tell Sarina she has to come and see me after she reads this.”
“I’ll let her know.” Mason waited as she scanned each book, depositing them into his bag. Then thanked her. “Wanna take a tour?” he asked Sky and waved for him to follow.