Mason’s pancakes were good. He added extra sugar and cinnamon to them because Sky ate his “dry” to avoid getting his hands sticky. But Nadine was the only person Skyknew that put the syrupinsideher pancakes. They were the best and Sky’s favorite breakfast in the world because he could enjoy the taste of the syrup without the aggravating stickiness.
“Sausage, please. Everything’s great,” he answered, telling himself that he wasn’t lying because it was great, spending time with his sister, Sam, and Mason without any of the animosity or guilt. He didn’t even feel ashamed or embarrassed whenever Sarina hinted that she knew and approved of what they were doing as soon as she and Sam left the house. “It’s been a lot to adjust to but it’s great.”
“Great!” Nadine squeezed his cheek. “Now you can come back!”
“What?”
“You can move back to Roseview,” she continued once she found the proper measuring cup. “Now that you three have worked things out, there’s no reason for you to stay away.”
Sky nodded. “None, if you don’t count my career, my Kayla, my apartment, and my responsibilities back in the real world,” he said but she made a dismissive sound as she worked.
“You're a writer, not a soldier or a scientist. You can work wherever you want, and you have a whole house here. Bring Kayla with you.”
“Why the hell would Kayla want to live in a town full of privileged white people? I’ve spent most of my life trying to get out and recover.”
“It’s not half as bad as you make it out to be. Maybe you should let Kayla decide for herself.”
“Good point. But I don’t want to live here. Not now, at least,” he told her, his mind drifting as she worked at the stove.
It would be like living in an emotional minefield, and it wouldonly be a matter of time before Sky blew himself up. He wouldn’t be able to hear someone mention the mayor without breaking into a sweat orhe’dsay something and give himself away around his mother or Nadine. But mostly, Sky was afraid that it would eat him alive, watching Mason continue his role as the world’s best husband and father and wondering why all of that couldn’t behis.
He didn’t want to resent his sister or Sam when they deserved the world and loved Mason, too. They needed him more, and it wouldn’t be fair to ask Mason to choose, although it was obvious who he’d pick. That hurt too, but that was the way it was supposed to be. Mason had made a commitment to Sarina and Sam, and the three of them had a happy life together.
“What if you moved to the city and lived with me and Kayla?” he asked, changing the subject when Nadine set a plate of pancakes and sausage in front of him.
“In that shoebox in Brooklyn? I’ll pass.” Nadine sat beside him. “How about you find a man and then come back when you’re ready to settle down and start your own family? I’ll move in with you and help you look after them.”
Sky didn’t think he wanted that kind of thing until she said it. “I’ll add it to my list of things to do after I learn how to fly and lay golden eggs.” There was no point in getting either of their hopes up when the only man Sky would ever love was already taken. By his sister. “That reminds me, I’m gonna need a ride to the station on Sunday.”
“Do you have to go so soon? I just got back, and we have so much catching up to do,” she said but Sky nodded, his mind made up.
He was leaving on Sunday, and he wasn’t giving Mason another chance to talk him out of it. “I have to, but let’s keep it between us for now. I don’t want anyone to make a fuss.”
“If you say so,” she said with a sigh. “I’m still cooking you a proper dinner before you go. What was that you said about a pot roast?”
“No… I don’t think I said anything about a pot roast...” He tapped his chin thoughtfully, scrambling for a new topic. “Maybe you misunderstood? I think I asked about how your sister was doing.”
“She’s a spring chicken, now that her heart’s all patched up. Which is a good thing because that sneaky son of hers is never going to get a legitimate job. Did I tell you about his latest scheme?”
“No, you did not!” Sky was glad to let Nadine tell him all about it until her phone buzzed.
“That’s Adele. She’s awake and ready for a martini.”
“Yikes! I’d better go.” Sky kissed her cheek, then made his exit.
The jog back to Sarina and Mason’s was short, but Sky had an evacuation plan in place by the time he arrived. As always, Nadine knew what Sky needed better than he did and had managed to scold him about his affair with Mason without knowing it. The only way Sky could recover and move on was if hemovedand found his own life away from Roseview.
Chapter Twenty
Mason’s plan to sweep Sky off his feet for an extra weekend had been a complete success. He was feeling optimistic about a much longer extension as he snuck back into his bedroom with an opened bottle of chilled champagne and two glasses. He had raced down in his robe as soon as Sky stepped into the shower. The bottle and the glasses were ready and waiting in the refrigerator because Sky didn’t waste time when he was bathing and was usually in and out in less than two minutes.
“What kind of soap do you use?” Sky asked when he came out and headed for the bed with a towel around his waist. “I love it.”
“Really?” Mason asked cluelessly. “It’s just Dial. I use it when I’m out of my usual body wash.” Sky could have water boarded Mason and he’d never admit that he bought it because it smelled the most like the cheap 3-in-1 cleanser the school provided in the locker room’s shower. “It’s not great for my skin, so I don’t use it that often.” The fact that he only used it when Sky was around was another secret he’d take to the grave. He gestured atthe bottle and glasses on the dresser. “How about a drink?”
“Okay… Are we celebrating something?” Sky looked on in concern as Mason poured.
“Maybe. The night is young.” Mason passed Sky his glass. They saluted each other before taking a sip, and Mason wound an arm around Sky’s waist. “But if I was celebrating…” He wiggled his brows at Sky and guided him back toward the bed. “I wish you had come for better reasons, but a lot of wonderful things came out of this visit. The last two weeks have been heaven.”