“Thank God,” Mason said under his breath before taking another big bite of his salad.
Sky lowered onto his usual chair, looking slightly dazed. “I’m going to need a nap after this too,” he said as he poured himself a glass of champagne.
“Well…?” Nadine prodded from the stove. “When did this happen?”
“You’re still up,” Mason said when Sky looked at him.
His lip pushed out and he crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ve always been in love with Mason. Although, I’m not so sure about that at the moment.”
“Yes, you are.” Mason winked at him, earning another adorable scowl. “I love you, and I’m so glad you’re here,” he whispered, but Nadine groaned and hugged her big wooden spoon against her heart.
“Why didn’t I see it before? You were always so sweet together, and I knew you had a crush on Mason, Sky. I just didn’t realize he felt the same.”
Mason ducked his head apologetically. “I was very good at hiding it. I’ve been a coward for a long time.”
Sky shrugged. “I didn’t know until Dad’s—Stewart’s—funeral. Wealmost…” He cleared his throat suggestively. “It was the night before they announced that Sina was pregnant and they were getting married.”
“Oh no!” Nadine covered her mouth. “Were you and Sina…?” she asked Mason and he shook his head.
“No, never. Sam Jr. isn’tbiologicallymy son.”
“Who’s his father?” she asked but Mason held up a hand.
“That’s Sina’s business. He’s never been in the picture and never wanted to be,” he said simply, then laughed. “Why did we think that would be so hard to say? We got married to protect Sina, and because I was too scared to tell my parents and the rest of Roseview that I’m gay. Sky discovered the truth, but Sina and I handled the whole situation poorly.”
“That’s why you wouldn’t talk about them,” Nadine said to Sky sadly. “That had to be a shock, poor thing.” She shook her head at Mason. “I understand why you did it, but to live like that for so long… We wouldn’t have cared that you and Sarina were queer. You’re both loved here and an important part of Roseview. But if anyone has a problem with it, they can take it up with me,” she said with a threatening wave of her spoon.
“I told you, she’s an angel,” Mason said out of the side of his mouth.
Sky nodded, smiling warmly at Nadine. “She’s always been too good for this family.”
“Watch your mouth,” she said to Sky. “You and your sister have been the greatest joy of my life, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. I just wish you were here more,” she said as she turned back to the stove.
“I will be,” Sky promised, casting a shy smile at Mason.
He gave her a summarized account of all that had happened after Lance’s funeral, up to the press conference. Neither wanted to speculate about what came next, and Nadine knew better than to push Sky too far when he was already overwhelmed. She served him plain noodles with just a little butter and Parmesan. Nadine and Mason had a hearty bolognese with roasted broccolini on the side. They were too full for dessert, so she packed up one-third of the cake for them to take to Mason’s for later.
“You’re exactly what he needs,” Nadine said to Mason while Sky was upstairs, getting his things. “I think he’s always known, and it’s why he’s been so frustrated and restless for so long.”
Mason nodded. “I’ve known it for a long time too, and that I needed him. I just didn’t know what to do about it because I love Sina and Sam so damn much. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for the three of them, but my hands were tied until today.”
She hooked her arm around his and hugged it. “This will all work out. People will be shocked about Sarina and Lexie, but you and Sky will make perfect sense once they think about it. Makes perfect sense to me, and I can’t believe I didn’t see it a long time ago.”
“He was always the one, Nadine. I hurt us both by panicking after Stewart died, and I’ve put Sky through a lot. From now on, I’m putting him first. I’ll give him whatever he wants.”
“Don’t beat yourself up too much, Mason. I know your heart, and I know you’ll do what’s right.”
Mason was touched by her faith in him and her support of his and Sky’s relationship. Coming out to Nadine and telling her the truth mattered almost as much as telling his parents. Now that she knew and Mason had her blessing, he wouldn’t let her down.
“I’ll try my best. All I know is, I have another chance with Sky and I’m not letting him slip through my fingers again.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The past four hours had been surreal for Sky but in a good way for once. The people he was most afraid of disgusting and disappointing knew and had given them their blessings. And then, Sky and Mason had gone off and had sex in the middle of the afternoon without anyone disturbing them. Not only that, but a cheese pizza from Gino’s, a bottle of fruit punch, and a case of Mason’s beer were waiting on the doorstep after the doorbell rang unexpectedly.
It had to have been Sarina.
They ate pizza and chocolate cake in the kitchen, in their underwear, giggling like teenagers.