10. Bridget

TEN

Bridget

I tried everything to get out of coming to this party. But Meredith, Hudson's wife, was having none of it.

She told me that I need a break, to feel like a human being and not just a nanny, and as much as I know that's true, there's just one problem.

This is a party at Mason's.

There will be drinking and crowded rooms and way too much going on for me to keep track of my surroundings.

Aside from the fact that it'll be that much harder to keep some space between Mason and me—which is entirely necessary if we want to avoid another kitchen incident—I won't be able to keep an eye out for Jai.

I hate that fact, and as much as I'm probably being paranoid, I can't help but feel like this is the perfect opportunity for him to make a move.

"Come on, Bridget. Cheer up. You look like you're going to a funeral."

Meredith's kind voice interrupts my thoughts, and I try my best to shake them away and give her a smile.

She really is the nicest person, and it's so wonderful to finally have met her after all these years of video chats and phone calls.

It's like coming home to a friend already waiting.

Over the years, she's been an ear to listen to my vague stories, and there's something about a neutral third party.

I don't feel like I'm burdening her with my baggage.

"Sorry." I shake my head again, releasing a long exhale. "You're right. I need to take a minute to enjoy myself. Even if it's at the boss's house."

Rolling her eyes, Meredith knocks me with her shoulder.

"Dude, he's hardly your ‘boss.' I mean, sure, he's paying you to watch Mia. But you make it sound like he's got you on the payroll."

Narrowing my eyes, I give Meredith a hard smirk. "You're only saying that because you're as bad as my mother about this whole Mason thing. It's in the past, and you both need to let it go."

As we walk up the steps to Mason's house, which I already know is an impressive sight, I can't help but notice the decorations and strings of lights that have been hung up across the backyard.

"Damn, I'll hand it to Hudson. He really made this place look amazing in such a short time."

Meredith laughs. "Well, he went with the old classic."

I regard her, giving her a questioning glance.

"Throw money at the problem until it's solved."

We both giggle and then Hudson is in front of us, having left the car with the valet he hired for the evening. The entire road leading up to the house is stuffed with cars, and I can imagine how grateful the guests are to not have to walk all that way.

"Sorry, sorry. Okay, let's go. I have some serious mingling to do."

With a sweeping gesture, Hudson opens the door, and Meredith and I step inside Mason's.

My mouth falls open.

The place is absolutely packed with guests. I knew that there were like eighty people in the entire region. Still, I didn't think Hudson actually worked regularly with that many people.

And I did not think they were all going to show up. And then some .

My pulse stutters, and I seriously consider backing the hell up and getting out of here.

It's too much. This is way too many people for me to remain vigilant, and at this rate, anyone could walk in off the street and be let in.

Jai could get in.

A chorus of happy greetings meets us as we enter, all directed at Hudson, of course. I trail along after him, unsure what to do with myself now that we're here.

Meredith looks as relaxed as ever, a natural grace accompanying her as she walks forward with her husband. Hudson, you knocked it out of the park with her, damn .

"Hey, Easton. Glad you made it." I look over from studying the room as Hudson pulls me over. "This is my sister, Bridget."

I try to manage a nonchalant smile, reaching out to shake the guy's hand. "Hi."

"Hey there, I'm Easton. I work with your brother."

I cock a brow. The guy is gorgeous and way more fit than any of Hudson's other colleagues.

"Doing what exactly?"

They both laugh and then Easton puts his hand to his chest with a nod. "That's fair. I'm the head of security. We met a while back."

"Oh." My brows shoot up, and the layers of muscle make more sense now. "Got it. Well, thanks for keeping my dumb brother safe then."

Easton smiles; it's megawatt bright and panty-dropping for sure. But not only does the guy not flaunt himself like that, but I can also see him put physical distance between himself and any interested onlookers.

I wonder how he got into private security. He looks like he could take on anyone that's for sure.

Still, I know I'm using Easton's obvious good looks as a way to distract myself from looking for the one guy I'm actually interested in seeing.

Right on cue, Mason walks out from another room to my left, and my heart skips around in my chest.

Dammit. Why does he have to look so good?

I admire his suit as Mason comes over with an easy smile, even if I can tell it's not hitting his eyes. This party was a huge source of stress the past few days, and I'm sure he's just looking forward to when it's over.

"Hudson," Mason grabs his hand, and they lean together in a quick hug, "finally here."

Putting his hand to the back of his head, Hudson shrugs. His expression is all guilt, and he sighs.

"I know. I know. Sorry. There was traffic, and I got stuck later at the office than I wanted to be."

Mason raises his brows, gesturing in a broad sweep toward the rest of the room. "Well, you're here. Start entertaining your guests so I don't have to."

My brother takes the hint, hurrying with Meredith to start making the rounds and mingling with his business associates.

That leaves Mason and I standing there—alone.

I smile, fiddling with the strap of my clutch.

"So, where's Mia for the evening?"

Sucking in an inhale, Mason finishes taking a sip of his drink.

"Next door. Juniper and Mia are both there with their kid, Daisy. They all get along well, so…"

"Oh, that's great. I'm glad Mia could be with a friend."

An awkward silence fills the space around us, and even in a room crowded with people, I can feel Mason's presence press down on me.

The past few days have been tense, to say the least, and I'm really regretting this stupid dress now.

I know it's nothing too outlandish, but the deep v-neck created by its halter top reaches quite far between my breasts, and I can practically feel Mason trying to keep his eyes level with mine.

Feeling exposed despite the full skirt of soft, flowy fabric, I stare down at the floor. I need a fucking drink.

"Umm, is there…" I gesture at Mason's glass. "You know, a bar or something?"

He refocuses, nodding and pointing over at the door that leads to the backyard.

"Yes, out there. It's open, so get whatever you want. Your brother's paying."

A half-hearted chuckle leaves me, and I nod back at Mason.

"Well, if it's on Hudson's tab, maybe I'll go for another scotch."

I point at Mason's glass, and he smirks. We used to sneak the stuff when we were younger, and it was only ever Mason and I who could actually drink the stuff.

Hudson hated it, and to this day, I still think he prefers a Cosmo.

Turning toward the door, I hold my tiny bag in front of my chest and point at the back.

"Well, I'm going to…"

"Yeah. I'll see you around, I guess." Mason's voice sounds so fucking tight.

"Yeah."

We both stand there like idiots for a moment, but then I manage to get my feet moving and head to the bar to get a very large drink.

As I wait in the long line, however, I know that it'll likely be the only one I have. I can't keep an eye out for him if I'm trashed.

About an hour and a half later, and I'm really starting to feel that alcohol. I haven't ordered another drink, and I don't intend to.

Tension clings to me as I watch the numerous guests around the room, steering clear of Mason.

All I want to do when I see the guy is kiss him, and there is absolutely no way I can allow that to happen.

Jai is out there, and it's only a matter of time before he shows up. He's done it too many times for me to even think I'm safe for a moment.

My skin feels hot as I sit outside on a ledge near the unused pool, and my ass is starting to go numb.

I need to get up and stretch my legs.

As I do, dizziness hits me for a moment, and I wonder if I've lost my tolerance after months of going without a drink.

Shit, Bridget. Are you drunk on one fucking whiskey? Jeez.

Standing up has moved everything around, and now I need to use the bathroom. So, I make my way toward the house, my steps sloppier than I'd like.

When the sound of my steps changes as I hit the grass again, I notice a taller man near the backdoor.

The guy is wearing an impeccable suit, and his darker blonde hair is coifed into a slick, combed-back style.

My stomach churns as my pulse kicks up into high gear.

I know that style. I recognize that color.

Jai?

The man is turning in my direction, and I stare, frozen in place. What color are his eyes? Is it him?

But before I can confirm my suspicions, someone yells from inside the house, drawing his attention.

Blondie turns away from me, and I can't see his face.

"No."

I'm rushing across the yard toward the house before I can think better of it.

He can't be here. He can't be in Mason's house. Fuck, what do I do? Mia is right next door. He wouldn't try anything in a place this crowded, would he?

Or is that precisely what he would do?

I'm acting without thinking, nearing sprinting through the grass to get to the house. I get to the door just a few seconds after the guy goes inside.

"Dammit."

I follow, ducking and weaving through people as the man makes his way toward the kitchen.

A group of laughing people shifts into my path, and I have to stop short.

"Excuse me." I try to circle around them. "Ex-excuse me."

Eventually, I make it through, but when I get to the kitchen, there's no sign of the tall, blonde man I've been tracking.

"Shit. No, no, no. I need?—"

As I frantically eye the space around me, someone steps out from the pantry. It's him. What the hell was he doing in there?

My heart is in my throat, and I feel sick to my stomach. Every inch of my skin is crawling as I tremble, and I shoot out an arm as the guy goes to leave again.

Snagging his shoulder, I stop him, and he spins around toward me with a confused scowl.

"Can I help you?"

Blue. This man's eyes are blue. And then I notice the nametag secured to his vest and the bottle of wine in his hand.

I've been chasing down a server. Great .

"No, I…I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else."

"Oh," the guy, Brenden, going by the name tag, raises his brows at me and offers a smile. "Got it. Did you need a refill, miss?"

I shake my head. "No. Thank you."

The server leaves, going back to his job pouring and refilling glasses of wine like a worker bee flitting from flower to flower.

My cheeks are on fire, and I can't be in here anymore. I need…I'm not sure what I need, but it's definitely not to stay in this crowded house.

The yard wasn't any better though, so with little other choice, I go upstairs to find the bathroom up there.

Tripping slightly on the stairs, I'm not looking where I'm going and just hang the first right at the top of the stairs.

There's a door right in front of me, and my panic demands that I get inside and close the door behind me so that I can have a breakdown in private.

I rush forward, getting inside and closing the door swiftly behind me. My heartbeat is too loud in my ears as I turn around and lean back against the wood.

"Bridget?"

I jump, my eyes flying open. Mason is sitting on a bed in front of me, a glass of scotch in his hands.

Oh, shit. Is this ? —

"Is there a reason you barged into my room?"

My heart sinks. It is Mason's room, and I just closed myself up inside like I owned the place. Shit .

What the hell am I supposed to tell him? I can't exactly say that I was running away from a panic attack because I thought I saw my stalker ex-boyfriend downstairs.

"Umm," I decide to offer the little bit of truth that I can, "I needed some air. Sorry."

He narrows his eyes on me, and I can see that he's pulled his tie loose, and his hair is a bit ruffled, likely from running his hand through it over and over.

"That makes two of us."

I swallow hard, shaking as I try to hold his intense gaze. I've never seen Mason look like this, his brows down over his eyes as he practically glares at me.

There's something beneath it all too. Something I can't let myself think about.

"I'll…I'll go. I'm sorry."

I turn to leave, but right as I get the door open, I feel Mason's presence right behind me.

"Close the door, Bridget."