Chapter 33

Instead of getting ready for work, I spent half the morning in bed with Mason.

Not that I was complaining.

But I was late.

My high ponytail bounced with my hurried steps as I approached my office. I pushed myself to move faster, eager to reach my destination and start my busy day.

The heady, lingering scent of Mason's cologne still clung to my skin, even after a shower. It enveloped me in a warm, musky embrace.

Each inhale was like a bittersweet memory of our time together.

"Morning," I uttered to Noah before slamming my bag on my desk with a resounding thud.

"Good—" Noah paused.

I turned to find him staring at me. "What?" I asked him.

"Oh my gosh!" He clapped his hands together. "Someone got laid!"

"What the hell, Noah!" I laughed. "How do you know these things? Please tell me I don't have a hickey."

"No hickeys, but girl, you are glowing!" Noah said. "That must have been some good sex."

"You have no idea," I sighed as I settled into my chair. "I've been having flashbacks ever since he left my apartment this morning."

Noah offered me an amused smirk. "You know, I've never even heard you talk openly about sex."

My cheeks turned fifty shades of red, "And you're not going to."

"No, really, Kenna," Noah laughed. "It's like something changed in you overnight. I can't put my finger on it. But something is different."

"In a good way?" I asked.

"Oh, in the best way," Noah said.

The phone's shrill ring pierced through the quiet office, causing Noah to rush to his desk.

"No problem," he said in a cheery tone. "Just give us a call if you change your mind."

"Your ten o'clock just canceled," Noah informed me. "They're having second thoughts about moving to Charleston."

"Let me guess, they got stuck in rush hour traffic?" I asked.

"Nailed it," he laughed.

"I'm sure they'll be back," I said. "What city doesn't have traffic these days?"

Sure, Charleston wasn't what it used to be, but there was no denying its enduring allure and timeless appeal. Even with congested roads and crowded beaches, it held its charm.

Before Noah could respond, the phone was ringing again.

"One of those days," I said.

"Thank you for calling Pretty Palms Real Estate! Oh, hello, Brett," he said sweetly into the phone with a dramatic eye roll.

I flailed my arms around and mouthed ‘I'm not here' to Noah, but he wouldn't look in my direction. Whatever Brett was saying, it was demanding Noah's attention.

"Oh, she's right here," Noah said before he turned to me and saw my look of desperation.

"Great," I mumbled.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered as he handed me the phone.

"Brett," I said when I pulled the phone up to my ear.

"Ken!" Brett's voice was too chipper for my liking. "It was so good seeing you last night. You looked incredible."

I only wanted to know one thing.

Why was he sucking up to me?

He barely complimented me while we were together.

"How can I help you, Brett?" I asked. I wanted him to get to the point.

He sighed, "This isn't easy for me to tell you, Ken."

My stomach twisted. "What is it?"

"That guy you were with last night, Mason Drury," he paused. "He was charged with a felony a few years ago."

A heavy weight settled in my chest.

What was Brett talking about?

"Okay?" I finally said. "Why are you telling me this?"

"I care about you, Ken," Brett said.

Well, I knew that was a crock of shit. He was just trying to get into my head.

"I emailed you his mugshot," Brett continued.

He had proof.

My heart skipped a beat as I frantically turned to my computer. With trembling hands, I clicked on the attachment and waited anxiously for it to open. I knew that whatever was inside could change everything.

And there it was.

A mugshot of Mason with his beautiful, curly hair and bright blue eyes.

"What was the charge?" I asked. My voice remained steady, without any indication that the information had affected me.

"Marijuana possession with intent to distribute," he said.

Brett's tone was infuriating. He was reveling in the opportunity to dig up dirt on Mason. His motives were purely selfish. He didn't care about me; he just wanted to sabotage any chance of a connection I had with Mason. It was a calculated blow, designed to destroy something good and pure.

"Look at you, being a detective," I said mockingly. "Maybe I was the one he was selling weed to."

Okay, we both knew the chances of that were slim to none.

But Brett needed to fuck off.

Who was he to judge Mason? Brett was certainly no angel.

"My personal life and the personal lives of my friends are none of your business," I told him. "Is there anything I can help you with, business-wise? I have other things I need to tend to."

"You've always been such a bitch," Brett hissed at me.

"And you've always been an egotistical prick who spends each day compensating for his small penis," I replied before I hung up the phone.

Noah stared at me, a look of both admiration and horror. "You go, girl!"

"Well, I guess he won't be sending me any clients," I said, "so selling him a house was all for nothing."

"You got a paycheck," Noah reminded me.

"That I did," I laughed.

"I saw the attachment you opened," Noah admitted. "Do you want to talk about it?"

I sighed, "I don't think it's fair to discuss Mason and his past with anyone other than him. I need to talk to him first."

Noah nodded, "I think that's for the best."

"I knew it was all too good to be true," I mumbled, my shoulders slumping in defeat.

"Don't think like that Kenna," Noah said, pulling me in for a long hug. "I'm here if you need to talk."

"I know," I said. "Thank you."

Once Noah's arms loosened their hold on me, I reached for my phone and texted Mason.

Me:Hey, can we meet up and chat later?

It felt like an eternity had passed while I awaited his reply, but it was only five minutes.

Skater Boy: Sure, just tell me when and where.