Resolution (Mason Family 5)

“Can I ask what they named it? I love baby names. I’m a photographer, and I have a fascination with what people name their kids.”

“Kelvin Joseph Mason. Kelvin is after Coy, and Joseph is Bellamy’s father. That’s Coy’s wife.”

Wade groans.

“Kelvin is unique,” I say.

Holt’s chuckle is loud and smooth. “It’s a terrible name. Let’s be honest.”

I shrug, my cheeks heating as I laugh too.

“So you’re a photographer?” Holt asks.

He looks briefly at his brother. I don’t. I can feel Wade’s vibes of displeasure smashing against me, and I’m not sure what my reaction will be if I see his moody face.

“I am,” I say, carrying the conversation along. “I do family portraits and weddings, mostly. I’m trying to move into architectural and landscape photography, but it’s a whole different world.”

“My fiancée found our wedding location from a picture,” Holt admits. “She saw it in a magazine somewhere. She’s not from Savannah, so she doesn’t know all the niche places. You know what I mean?”

“Of course.”

“Anyway, she saw a picture of the Bartholomew Gardens and fell in love.” He shrugs, unable to hide his love for his soon-to-be wife. “So, that’s where we’re getting married.”

“I know that place,” I say. “I’ve never been closer than the road in front of it because it’s so tightly controlled. It’s never open, and when it is, I think it costs a fortune. No offense,” I add quickly.

Holt laughs again. “Hey, speaking of my wedding …” He looks at his brother, his face lighting up and a smile spreading across his cheeks. “Between me, my mother, and Blaire—my fiancée—we’ve invited so many people that we’ve lost count.”

I sense Wade’s movement. My heart starts to race.

“Why don’t you come to the wedding?” Holt asks. “It’s on Saturday, so last minute, I know. But you’d get to see the gardens and have some excellent food and drinks because Siggy Mason does nothing halfway.” He laughs happily. “Maybe you’ll even meet some people who can help you expand your business. Can’t hurt, right?”

My racing heart levels up to a full-blown sprint.

Is he serious?

I look at Wade. As expected, he’s staring at me.

I can’t make out what he’s thinking—both because reading him is like reading tea leaves and because I’m so excited at the possibility that just landed fortuitously in my lap. Not only that, but it would be such a fun thing to get all dressed up and do something different.

“Are you serious?” I ask Holt.

He nods. “We’d love for you to come.”

I fidget in my seat. “I wouldn’t know anyone, so that might be weird.”

“Wade doesn’t have a date and isn’t in the wedding …” Holt says, letting his voice drift off.

My gaze snaps back to Wade’s.

“You aren’t in the wedding?” I ask.

He clenches his jaw and shifts his eyes to Holt.

“Wade,” I say, my voice rising. “That’s perfect. We can go together.”

“I’d be happy to add you as his plus-one,” Holt offers.

I turn back to Holt. “You would? I mean, I don’t want to intrude, but it would be an awesome opportunity, and since Wade doesn’t have a date anyway—it’s kismet.”

“That’s what I was thinking,” Holt says.

“Perfect then. Saturday, you say?” I ask.

Holt smiles. “Yes. The ceremony starts at six. Prepare to dance all night. This is going to be one big party.”

I squeal and get to my feet. “Thank you for the invitation. I would be thrilled to come. And thank you for considering a fabulous networking opportunity too. I’m just … wow.”

“Not a problem.”

I look at Wade. He’s not smiling, but when is he ever?

“You,” I say, pointing at him, “can pick me up at four. I’m going to go find a dress and leave you two alone to … whatever it is that you came here for,” I say, waving goodbye. “Thanks again, Holt.”

He puffs out his chest. “Not a problem at all.”

I stop at the door and turn around. “Wade?”

He’s sitting at his desk with his head in his hands. He looks up at me like a sad puppy.

“Don’t worry. We’re going to have fun,” I say, tossing him a wink.

He nods ever so slightly.

That’s good enough.

I let myself out the door, unsure what Wade even wanted, and nearly skip down the hall.

SIXTEEN

WADE

“What. The fuck. Was that?” I narrow my gaze at my brother. “Please, explain.”

Holt sits back with a smug grin. “What?”

His cheekiness is fuel on a fire that’s erupting into an all-out blaze in my chest. I clench my hands at my sides to keep from smashing them on my desk.

Be calm, Wade.

I uncoil my fingers. Blood rushes to my fingertips.

The past few minutes replay through my mind so quickly that I can’t keep up. And I always keep up.

“Can you please explain to me what the hell you were thinking by inviting Dara to your fucking wedding?” I ask, my voice wavering with the anger I’m trying desperately to hold back.