“Sure,” he says, not believing me for a second. “That's why you sound like you want to punch something.”
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I don't know what it is about her, Mason. She's... different.”
“Different how?”
“She doesn’t look at me like I’m some walking sex fantasy or ranch paycheck. She looks at me like…” I trail off.
“Like she sees the man, not the brand,” Mason finishes for me, his voice unusually soft.
“Yeah. That.”
There’s a beat of silence between us.
“Scary shit,” Mason says with surprising sincerity.
“Terrifying,” I agree, finishing my beer in one long swallow.
“Maybe that's why she ran,” he suggests. “Maybe she's as scared of feeling something, as you are.”
I hadn't considered that. “Maybe.”
There’s a long silence between us.
Another pause, then Mason clears his throat. “So… your mom’s birthday dinner on Wednesday. Still on?”
“Yep.”
“You bringing a date?”
I laugh without humor. “Nope. You?”
“Hell no. I gave up dating after that kindergarten teacher made me do breathwork under the full moon and then cried because I didn’t believe our souls had met in Atlantis.”
“…What?”
“Exactly. I’m safer alone.”
“Sounds like your type.” I chuckle.
“Hey, she had great boobs, but a terrible grip on reality. A man’s gotta learn somehow.”
I chuckle, the first real laugh since Mia ran out the bar like her heels were on fire.
There’s a pause between us when Mason clears his throat.
“All I’m saying is, the dating pool’s more like a dating swamp these days.
So if you find someone who makes your pulse do somethin’ other than flatline—don't let her get away.”
“What do you expect me to do? Lasso her like a calf the next time I see her?”
“Well, you’ve practiced enough at rodeos,” he says with a shrug I can hear. “Rope is kinda your thing right?”
“Pretty sure you’re confusing me with Connor and his weird barn kinks.”
“Hey, I’m not here to judge. I’m just saying, rope’s versatile.” He lets out low a chuckle.
“Shut up.”
