19. Bridget

NINETEEN

Bridget

Back at Mason's, I know that he has a busy day scheduled, and he texted that it would likely be a late night. To prepare, I ran over to the craft store and got something for Mia and me to do that'll take up time and be fun.

As I step inside the house, Mason is scrambling around like a chicken with his head cut off, trying to get his things together. I can't help but smile, and I drop my bag on the table by the door.

It's a bit adorable to see Mason so in a rush, and I fight back a giggle as I walk past him to the kitchen. Mia isn't up yet, I don't think, so I head to the coffee maker to pour myself a cup.

"Morning, Mason."

I can't help myself from poking just a bit of fun, happily humming to myself as I go about getting ready for the day.

Glancing over at the clock, I can guess that Mia will be up soon, and I turn on the monitor app that I've installed on my phone now.

As I set my phone down and go for the creamer in the fridge, Mason swings back through the kitchen and snags his coffee mug, which he forgot on the counter.

"Hi, sorry. Bye!"

I just laugh as he quickly turns around and rushes back to the door.

"Someone overslept," I joke to myself. "But that's probably my fault."

I pour some of the hazelnut creamer into my coffee, an item that I requested since I'm here most mornings, and then turn around to put it back in the refrigerator.

When I shut the door and reach out for my coffee, I stab my hand into Mason's stomach.

"Oof," he groans.

"What are you?—"

He looks down at me with a frazzled smile. "I forgot something."

I raise my brows at him, leaning forward a bit since he hasn't moved. "What?"

"This."

With that, he takes my face in his hands and crashes his lips down on mine for a heated kiss.

I chuckle against his skin, but it's quickly smoothed away as Mason pulls me closer, and I melt into the embrace.

His tongue glides over the seam of my lips. I happily let him inside, tangling us together as Mason's hand scoops around to my ass, the tips of his fingers brushing over my skin past the hem of my shorts.

Heat suffuses every inch of my body, and I moan lightly against Mason's lips as he squeezes my ass, the other hand holding me firmly to his lips.

Like I'm going anywhere, buddy. Oh, no. This is way too good.

Giddy joy bubbles up through me, and I feel like a damn high schooler.

Just then, Mason pulls back, smiling down at me.

"Fuck, I don't want to go to work right now."

Laughing, I step back, pushing him away gently before we get going again.

"I understand the feeling, but we both need your paycheck, so."

Mason laughs, but then he's right back against me, plying me with kisses that I futilely try to dodge.

Abruptly, he stops, holding my face again as he stares at me.

"I'm not fighting this anymore, Bridget. I can't. I can't stay away from you."

My cheeks heat, and I flick my stare down just for a moment because this is all very unbelievable.

I really didn't think I was lucky enough for this.

And I remember when I almost ruined this future forever.

"Mason, you can't look at me like that. I didn't do anything wrong."

He glares as Jai walks back over toward the makeshift bar that's been set up in Kendra's apartment. The party is loud and raucous and very much not where I want to be.

"Jai? Are you serious? That guy is trouble."

"He's not, Mason. Come on. You just don't like him because his parents have money. Besides, I'm an adult. I can make my own decisions."

Alcohol burns in my throat, and I know that it's making me meaner than I would usually be.

"It has nothing to do with that. I've seen what he's like, Bridget. Jai flirts with anything that moves. He's leading you on."

I scoff, an itch of truth crawling on my skin that makes me feel defensive and hurt.

"At least he's trying to lead me at all. I…Mason, I've been here. After winter break, I thought that maybe…you never said anything to me, though. If you're not interested, I'm going to be with someone who is."

Mason steps forward, glaring so hard that I can see the tension in his jaw despite the crappy lighting.

"I never said that, Bridget. I…I…"

"You what, Mason?"

I raise my brows at him, challenging him to actually say something this time. We fucking kissed between semesters, and then he ghosted me.

I don't know what he expected.

"I'm here, Bridget. Right now."

That's as close as it's going to get from him. And it's not bad, but…

"It's too late, Mason. It's just…it's too late."

Sorrow floods his eyes, and my chest fucking cracks in half. But it's done.

Spinning on my heel, I leave to find Jai at the bar. I'm going to need at least two more drinks to get through this night.

Blinking back the memory and sting of hurt that's years past, I shake myself. I'm not doing that again.

This is what I should have fought harder for back then, and I know—I know—that if I don't step up to the plate this time, we'll never have this chance again.

And I don't want that.

Despite the past and my ex and the complications, there is nothing I want more in this world than to be with Mason.

Putting my hands over his where Mason cradles my face, I smile up at him.

"Then don't." He grins back at me, beaming and all-consuming and so fucking beautiful. "Don't stay away, and don't fight it. Stay. Be with me. Because all I want is to be with you."

"Done."

Mason yanks me against him, crashing his lips against me even harder this time. I give myself over to it, not caring in the slightest about the coffee on the counter waiting for me, the lives we have waiting for us outside the kitchen, or anything else for that matter.

Because I've got Mason in my arms, truly with me—finally.