Fall by Winter

Brady should be back soon too. I’d sent him to the store to pick up a vacuum and some cleaning supplies.

“She’s gorgeous,” Aurora murmured.

She was. Her mother was Vietnamese, if I wasn’t mistaken, and Katie had definitely taken after her. Tristan ran around the car to be there every step of the way. He was overprotective, I’d learned from Mason. Katie grinned wryly at something Tristan said, and Mason laughed.

Tristan was a younger version of Mason, albeit lankier like William.

I hoped they liked me. Tristan meant the world to Mason, and if he and I were going to try for something serious, I’d never forgive myself for causing problems. On the other hand, my competition had set the bar very low. Tristan didn’t speak to his biological mother anymore, and he’d never been particularly fond of Meghan. According to Mason, who hadn’t exactly disagreed, Tristan found Meghan shallow and somewhat of a drama queen.

Then I winced, remembering how shallow I had been recently.

Fuck, that had to stop. I hated that trait so much.

“Aww, look at that cute bump.” Aurora beamed. “And she’s already seven months along?”

“The baby has some growing left. Remember not to touch unless Katie says yes, and please give her space first.”

She nodded in understanding.

I guess I should go out and say hi. If nothing else, they needed assistance with their luggage.

“Come on. We should help them.” I took the lead and stepped outside as Mason came up the path with two bags.

He smiled and glanced back at the expectant couple. “Tristan, you remember your aunt. Katie, this is Lissa. Lis, Katie.”

“Of course.” Tristan smirked, looking an awful lot like his father there. “You come to me if my old man’s harassing you, Aunt Lis.”

I laughed and hugged him. “It’s good to see you again, hon. Let’s not wait four years till next time.”

“Deal.”

I turned my smile to Katie next, and I shook her hand in both of mine. “Hi, Katie. I’m a hugger, but I remember how much I valued my personal space when I was pregnant. It’s nice to finally meet you, though.”

She smiled back, and I was pretty sure I detected some relief in her beautiful eyes. “You too. Tristan’s talked a lot about your famous birthday cakes.”

“We remember what’s important,” Tristan responded solemnly.

I chuckled.

“That’s my boy,” Mason said from the doorway.

“Here, let me get that for you.” I offered to take the bag Katie was holding, and then I made my way toward the house. “Mason and the others are almost finished in your room upstairs, but I’d like to tidy up a bit before you get settled if that’s okay.”

“Of course,” Katie assured. “We’re not here just to relax. I want to help—”

“But you need to rest first,” Tristan interjected.

“Yes, it was really exhausting to sit on my ass all the way from Vancouver,” Katie deadpanned.

Oh, I liked her already.I could get used to this.

It was crazy how easily I could get used to this.

Mason was like any other man in a store, utterly clueless and disinterested, but he was here, and he was making me feel like I was the only woman in the world.

“What about these?” I held up a set of dish towels.

He stopped kissing my neck to give the towels a fleeting glance. “I’ll dry my hands on them. It’s fabric, right? Good enough.”

I pursed my lips and eyed the towels. No, wrong color. Since he clearly didn’t give a rat’s ass, I had to. Not that I minded. For his kitchen, I considered three people. Katie and me—and Mason since it was his place. But I suspected Katie would use it more, and whenever I was over, I’d do the cooking.

The new fridge and freezer were stainless steel, so I figured all appliances could match those. The cupboards were dark blue…

“You have to tell me if I’m overstepping,” I warned him.

He was funny sometimes. He’d clearly chosen his furniture with great care and consideration, but colors and styles flew right by him. If it had nothing to do with gadgets or woodworking, he shrugged at it.

He did show a bit more enthusiasm about the appliances, and we were in that aisle when my phone buzzed with a message from Brady.

Can you buy apples and cinnamon for tonight?

Which reminded me… “You’re invited to dinner tonight, Mason. Bring Tristan and Katie if you don’t have other plans.” I texted Brady back, saying we had cinnamon but that I would pick up apples. I had a feeling I knew what the boys were planning.

“No plans here,” Mason answered. “You don’t have a kitchen table, though. Where are we going to sit?”

“On the patio.” I smiled up at him. “Aurora’s with William, but Brady and Matt aren’t heading back to the city until tomorrow, and I suggested we could do a barbecue. They’re setting up the heaters as we speak.”