“What? It’s the truth. She barely exists on paper.”
And if I told my sister why, she would only see it as more evidence that Anna wasn’t to be trusted. “Don’t do this.”
Anna placed a hand on my chest. “No, it’s okay. Why don’t you and your sister go out to dinner so you can have some one-on-one time? I’ll make dinner for Justin and Lyla.”
My back teeth ground together. I didn’t want to leave, but I also didn’t want to force Anna to put up with whatever snit Juliette was in. “We’ll be quick.”
“Take your time,” she urged.
I brushed my lips against hers, and Jules coughed. I didn’t spare my sister a glance. “Save me a waffle?”
“I’ll do my best.”
When Anna disappeared, I turned to my sister. “Seriously, Jules?”
22
Anna
Busy.That was the key. If I kept moving, then I wouldn’t think about Juliette calling me a con artist. I emptied the contents of Mason’s junk drawer onto the island counter. I grouped items. Scissors, glue, and tape. Band-Aids, alcohol swabs, and Neosporin. A Sharpie, pencil, and pen. A pile of keys to who knew what. A lighter and flashlight. I threw away stray paper clips and half-melted birthday candles.
Moving to the cabinet under the sink, I grabbed a container of multi-surface wipes. I went to town making sure I got every speck of dirt in that drawer. But Juliette’s voice still echoed in my mind. “You mean the con artist?”
Wasn’t that exactly what I was? Conning the courts into giving me custody of Justin and Lyla. Conning the world into believing Mason could really be mine.
Music. I needed sound to keep that ugly voice at bay. And all of the other voices that followed. My father’s calling me useless and a slut. Guards at juvie telling me I’d ruined my life and would never have a chance for a fresh start. Derek telling me he’d protect me forever.
I pulled out my phone and grabbed earbuds from my purse in the mudroom. Happy. I needed music that had a beat, and catchy lyrics you could sing along to. I settled on a nineties and early 2000s pop mix with boy bands galore. Then I turned it loud enough to drown out any lingering critics in my head.
I moved from drawer to drawer, pulling everything out, cleaning, and organizing. I wasn’t sure how long I worked. I lost myself in the simple purpose of it all. Anytime my thoughts began to waver from my task, I doubled down on what the best organizational structure might be for the drawer or cabinet in question.
I reached to the very back of a shelf, stretching so I could clean the farthest nooks and crannies. Someone pulled one of my earbuds free, and I let out a scream. It cut short as Mason filled my vision. “God, don’t do that!”
The corner of his mouth kicked up. “Maybe don’t listen to your music at a decibel that will burst your eardrums.”
My chest heaved as the adrenaline slowly left my system. “Just enjoying a little escapism.”
Mason surveyed the kitchen. “You know I have a housekeeper, right?”
“I know.”
His expression sobered. “You okay?”
I nodded. It was a total and complete lie, but I’d get there eventually. “Where’s Juliette?”
“She’s staying at the resort.”
There was a five-star resort on the edge of town that would make the pickiest traveler happy. I tore at the wipe in my hands. “Because of me?”
Mason tugged at the material between my fingers and tossed it into the trash can I’d pulled out for my project. “Because of her.”
“Just tell her what this really is. A favor you’re doing for a…friend.” I struggled to get the wordfriendout of my mouth. That too felt like a lie.
Mason leaned against the counter. “Is that what you still think this is? A favor?”
His tone was deceptively calm, but I could see the anger heating in his eyes. “I don’t know.” The lingering touches and soft kisses were enough to make a smart woman lose some of her brain cells. I knew there would be a line at some point. We would either cross it, or we wouldn’t. Smart Anna would stay firmly on this side of the line. Reckless Anna would hurl herself over it for a chance to lose herself in Mason.
He moved in closer so I could feel the heat pouring off him. Mason lifted a hand, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers trailed down my neck and slipped beneath my hair. “This isn’t a favor, Anna. It’s so much more. I think you know that, but you’re scared to let yourself recognize it.”
