Fall by Winter

What? My smile faltered a little, and I fidgeted with one of the drawstrings of my hoodie. “What have I waved off?”

He shook his head, mirth gleaming in his eyes. “You know deep down, Lis.”

Fuck. No. I…I didn’t. I didn’t!

He opened the door for me and kissed my temple. “I can only guess why you’ve got your heart on lockdown, but I’m coming for it.”

I sucked in a breath and flashed my eyes to his.

He wasn’t serious.

Except, something in his gaze told me he was.On Friday afternoon, I came home from work and was fully prepared to drop off Aurora at William’s place. Instead, I found both William and Kelly on the sidewalk outside my house. Aurora was there, and so was Mason.

It was slightly possible I’d avoided him a little. I’d dropped off breakfast on his porch before work, before he’d arrived at the house, and I’d sent Aurora over with snacks and more baked goods a couple times, but I hadn’t ventured over myself.

“Hey. What’re you all doing out here? It’s freezing.” I locked up my car and left my driveway.

“I was wondering if you’d put the group chat on mute.” William smiled wryly. “We’re here to work. Mason’s furniture has started to arrive.”

Oh.

I flicked Mason a glance. He was watching me contemplatively. Then I had to look away because he made my brain spin and my heart ache. I couldn’t handle it right now.

“Yeah, sorry.” I cleared my throat and shifted my purse and laptop case from one hand to the other. “I was in a meeting when the kids blew up my phone with their reconnecting. It was sweet and all, but I couldn’t focus on Brady’s new crush on Tristan and budget reports at the same time.”

Kelly smirked. “About the same time I silenced the chat too.”

“Which I figured out too,” William said. “You didn’t bitch when the boys requested lasagna for dinner.”

Who didn’t like lasagna? Weird, weird man.

“Anyway.” Kelly held up a grocery bag. There were two more on the ground. “I bought fixings for tacos. Since Mason’s kitchen isn’t ready yet, mind if we borrow yours, Lissa? Matt will be here to help his old man in a bit.”

Aurora perked up at that.

“Of course, hon.” I stifled a smile and gestured for the door. “Have at it. Is Brady coming up with Matt?”

Both Kelly and William confirmed that he was. Okay, good. Brady could do the heaviest lifting.

“I’m gonna change into better clothes, and then I’ll be around to help out,” I said. “Just…keep William away from my kitchen.”

Mason and Kelly laughed at that, and the sound of Mason’s voice reached my ears too fast, too easily. My senses had become so fixed on him.

“I’ve gotten better,” William defended.

Aurora patted his arm. “You try, Dad.”

I mustered a grin, but it felt forced. I aimed for the door instead and fled to safety in my room on the second floor, where I shrugged out of my coat that didn’t belong up here. I just needed a minute. Or several.

Okay, so Kelly and Matt would cook for everyone, and then we’d help Mason get settled in his house. It would be impossible to avoid him. Hell, I’d get the opposite all weekend. He’d be right there.

I sat down on my bed, dumped my glasses on the nightstand, and rubbed at my temples.

I should’ve confided in Sharon, but to be honest, I already knew what she would say. Last night at spin class, she’d jokingly asked when the wedding was, and my throat had closed up.

Part of me was unwilling to accept that Mason might want something serious with me, but the other part was forcing me to realize it just so I could somehow find a way to derail him. Because I couldn’t. I couldn’t go there. I didn’t have the strength.

Which sucked, because my heart didn’t give two shits about what I wanted or not.

It terrified me to admit how easily I could fall for Mason.

In one short week, he’d invaded my thoughts, my dreams…

At the sound of two knocks on my door, I drew a deep breath and said I’d be out in a minute.

Evidently, that wasn’t good enough for whoev—Mason. Mason opened the door and snuck in, then closed it again.

Goddammit. Seeing him, wanting him, longing for him, while simultaneously growing weary at the sight of him was probably not a great combination. Although, it was more myself I grew weary of.

“I’m almost done,” I insisted.

“So am I.” He smiled faintly and sat down next to me on the edge of the bed. “Tell me how I scared you off, darlin’.”

“You didn’t—” I stopped when he lifted a brow, and I deflated with a sigh. So we were really doing this? Now? With our oblivious family downstairs or across the street? Fine. “Are you really interested in a real relationship with me?”