My mouth curved. Mason looked effortlessly perfect. When I looked at my reflection in the mirror, you could tell I wastrying, that this wasn’t my natural state. But Mason in his dark jeans and button-down shirt looked simply at ease. I forced my gaze up to his face. “Where are Justin and Lyla?”
“I left them in the middle of a heated game ofSorryin the family room.”
Games were good, they would keep them distracted until the social worker got here. Unless things got too heated, and one of them ended up throwing the dice at the other.
Mason’s brows pulled together. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh, I’m just imagining some sort of eye injury if one of them gets angry about losing.”
“Neither of them strikes me as the kind of kid to get violent over losing a board game.”
He was right, but I couldn’t seem to rid myself of the panic. “There’s a first time for everything.” I started towards the stairs. “We should get down there, just in case.”
Mason’s hand caught my elbow, stopping me in place. But he dropped it just as quickly. “Take a deep breath. If you’re nervous, they will be, too.”
I closed my eyes and inhaled. The windows were open, letting in the early summer breeze. I focused on the scent of pine in the air, how clean and fresh it was. I imagined that air cleansing me, too, washing away all of the worries and anxiety. When I opened my eyes again, Mason was staring at me. I fought the urge to squirm. “I think I’ve got it together now.”
“Good. And when we’re done, we can all go out for pizza or burgers.”
“Sounds good to me.”
As we headed down the two flights of stairs, I heard Justin moan. “Aw, man.”
Lyla let out a loud giggle. “Sorry!”
When we rounded the corner, Justin looked up. “She’s kicking my butt,” Justin complained.
“That’s what little sisters are for,” Mason said.
I sat down next to Lyla on the couch, tickling her sides. “Take pity on your brother.”
“Never!” she shrieked.
Justin met my gaze. “Is she here yet?”
We’d explained the visit to them over dinner last night, telling them what we could expect, and that the social worker might want to talk to them alone. “Not yet. Just remember, all you have to do is tell the truth.”
He nodded, looking down at the dice in his hands.
Lyla burrowed deeper into my side. “She’s not going to take us, right?”
“No, sweetie. She just wants to make sure you’re safe here.”
“We are. The safest. She’ll see all of Mase’s cameras and his gate and then she’ll know, right?” Lyla asked hopefully.
I brushed her hair back from her face. “I think she’ll know.”
Mason’s phone beeped, and he tapped the screen. Putting it to his ear, he answered it. “Hello?” There was silence for a moment, and then, “Just follow the drive down and park anywhere.”
He tapped another icon on his screen and then slid the device into his pocket. “All right, team. We’re gonna get through this. And when we’re done, pizza and ice cream.”
Lyla shot her fist into the air. “Yes!”
Justin wasn’t as easily put at ease, but he nodded, his expression stoic.
I pushed to my feet and took Lyla’s hand. We made our way to the front door. I stayed back with Justin and Lyla while Mason opened it. A woman climbed out of a small SUV and headed up the front steps. She was younger than I’d expected, likely in her mid-twenties and beautiful. The smile she gave us was meant to put everyone at ease, but I couldn’t relax.
Mason reached out a hand. “Hello, Ms. Jacobson. I’m Mason Decker. Welcome.”
