She laughed, but it stopped immediately on a high-pitched tone. “Yeah.”

I groaned. “That makes it worse.”

“He’s not you.”

A hollow laugh came from me. “I’m aware. He’s there and I’m here.”

She stood, a determined glint in her eyes as she approached me. Her chin was set. I had to laugh. Sam was going to make me feel better. She was going to reassure me, whisper how much she loved me, and tell me how great of a guy I was. I already knew these things. I didn’t need her to remind me because in the end, she’d still be leaving. He’d be there and I’d remain here. My stomach was already in knots, but I lifted my head and waited for her to stand in front of me. As she did, my hands went to her hips. Hers cupped my face and she whispered, her eyes so goddamn loving, “No one will ever be you. All roads lead to you, Mason. No one else matters because I’m always going towards you.”

I nodded, feeling the graze from her fingers over my skin. “I know.” I tugged her onto my lap, and as she was going to sit sideways, I lifted her and pulled her legs so she was straddling me instead. I could feel her heart racing and the tension in her body. She was trying to reassure me, but I could tell this was scaring the shit out of her.

Running my hand up her back, slipping it under her shirt, I watched her. This was one of my favorite moments, when I would touch her and could watch her reaction. Her eyelids dropped, and she relaxed. I slid my hand further up her back, slipping it under her bra, and pulling it towards her front, under her arm. Feeling her breast, it was warm and solid. I cupped it, my thumb rubbing over the nipple. As I did, Sam squirmed like she always does. Her legs surged against mine, pushing into me, and she leaned forward into my hand. Her neck tilted to the side, as if granting me access there.

I leaned forward and kissed her neck. We had thirty minutes. I was going to enjoy every minute of it and make sure Jackson Sallaway was a very distant memory for her.

SAMANTHA

“I don’t think Mason likes me.”

We were in the women’s bathroom when Kris shared that with me.

Mason had made love to me before we left for the restaurant. He’d been possessive and a little rough, but I enjoyed it. Even thinking about it brought back a rush of memories. I was growing heated and ducked my head, hoping Kris hadn’t witnessed my red face.

She sighed. “Oh my god. It’s true, isn’t it?”

I looked up. She stopped fixing her hair and turned, biting her lip and wringing her hands together. Her puppy dog-like eyes were fixed on mine, and it was obvious that her feelings were hurt. She added, “I haven’t done anything wrong. I don’t think. And I always say hi to him. I try to talk to him, but he just looks at me and walks away or says something to someone else, like I haven’t even spoken. I have no idea what I’ve done wrong.”

Oh boy. “Um.” I had no idea what to say. Mason was an ass at times. “Have you talked to Logan about it?”

She nodded. “Yeah, but he doesn’t say much. He changes the subject or leaves like Mason does.” A soft groan came from her. “We’ve been having problems. I’m sure you’ve noticed. I mean, everyone has. I don’t even know how to talk to Logan sometimes.”

“The last girlfriend Logan had really hurt him. She came onto Mason one night, and he might be standoffish to you because he doesn’t want the same thing to happen again.”

Her eyes lit up with hope. “You think that’s it?”

No, but I wasn’t going to tell her that. If Mason had one inkling she might come onto him, he would share that tidbit with Logan immediately. The only redeeming fact I could think was that Mason wasn’t being mean. He just wanted nothing to do with her. I smiled at her. “It’s just the four of us tonight, so see how the rest of the evening goes?”

“Yeah, you’re right.” She nodded to herself and turned for the door, squaring her shoulders back like she was going into battle. “Let’s do this.” A determined expression came over her. Her eyebrows furrowed, her lips pressed together, and she raised her chin up. She was on a mission.

As we walked back to the table, I caught a glimpse of Mason and Logan with their heads together. I could see the intensity in their expressions from across the restaurant. When we got closer, they didn’t stop their conversation. Logan was saying, “I don’t agree with you. We should call Nate tonight, go over there, and deal with this. I’m coming to this same school next year. I don’t want to come in the middle of a battle. It’s fucked up that you guys haven’t squashed this.”

Mason flashed him a grin and rubbed my shoulder when I sat next to him. He said to his brother, “We can’t go and bomb their cars. These guys don’t fight like that. The situation isn’t a situation. And I will squash this with Nate, for the Marissa incident.”

“That’s bullshit.”

Mason’s eyes narrowed. “What’s up your ass? You’ve been in a mood since you showed up.”

“Nothing.” Logan’s scowl deepened, and he moved his chair back. “I have to go to the bathroom.”

Kris spoke up, “He’s mad at me. We had a fight on the way here.”

Mason and I shared a look. I had no idea what to say to that.

Mason nodded. “Okay.”

Her forehead wrinkled and her lips were pressed together, like she couldn’t decide something. Then she nodded to herself and rested her hands on the table. She looked right at Mason. “Why don’t you like me?”

Oh, shit.

Mason lounged back in his chair. His hand had been rubbing my shoulder, but stopped. “What?” He looked at me.

I told him, “She’s not talking to me.”

He scowled, but it was gone instantly. “Excuse me?”

Kris’s throat moved up and down as she swallowed. Her hand lifted from her lap, shaking, and she laid it down on the table, spreading her fingers wide as if she could calm herself that way. “I have not done anything to you. I’ve been polite and even friendly, but you act as if I’m not here. I would like to know why you don’t like me.” She paused a beat. “Please. Is this why Logan and I are having problems? Do I need your approval to date your brother?”

“You already are dating.”

“I meant for the next level, where we’re more serious.”