The question sits on the tip of my tongue, and a lump tries to form in my throat.
“Can I come with you?” The words rush out before I lose my nerve.
I’ve been cooped up here almost a week now, sitting on the couch with nothing to do other than watch mindless television or stare at Shadow. All this stagnant time isn’t doing any good for my state of mind. Sure, I can go out on the balcony for fresh air, but I really need out of this penthouse, even if it’s only for five or ten minutes.
“Sure,” Mason says without hesitating.
I let out the breath I was holding. He might think it’s strange that I’m asking to leave the penthouse, but I didn’t want to encroach on his work break.
Mason grabs the lead from the entry table, and we enter the lift, Shadow in tow. The doors open by a concierge-like desk, and I take in the main lobby. With high ceilings, tiled marble flooring, and a small seating area, the lobby looks like it belongs in a luxury hotel rather than an apartment building.
My apartment building certainly didn’t have anything like this or a working lift. Nor did it have any kind of security. Although, I don’t even want to know what an apartment in a building like this costs.
Exchanging a quick greeting with the concierge, Mason leads us out of the building, clipping Shadow’s lead to his collar before we leave. As soon as we exit the lobby, I’m on high alert. Being in the heart of the city, the street in front of the building is quite busy. We take Shadow to the grassed nature strip in front of the building, and I stick close to Mason.
I feel more on edge now than I did whenever I left my small apartment to walk the city alone. Maybe it’s because I’ve been cooped up inside all week, or maybe it’s because Sebastian and Easton were able to find me when they didn’t even know who I was. Let alone someone who knows exactly who they’re looking for.
A shiver sneaks down my spine.
If they could find me…
So canhe.
Mason glances at me as we wait for Shadow, and I try to keep my expression neutral.
Am I standing too close?
I take a step away and offer a smile, but it’s half-hearted. And based on the slight crease of his brow, I suspect he sees straight through it.
Mason leads us to a café a few doors down from the building, and I take it in as we approach. A few people line up by a take-away window, waiting to order coffees, while others sit down for breakfast in the indoor and outdoor seating areas. Couples sit together, stealing loving glances when the other isn’t looking. Friends laugh with each other. And a mother breastfeeds her baby while her toddler gets more food on her face and table than in her mouth.
We join the line for takeaway coffee so we can stay outside with Shadow. There are a few people before us, but it seems to be moving quickly.
“Mason, how’s our handsome boy today?” A voice calls out, and I spin around from my perusing of the café’s customers to see a woman leaning out of the takeaway window, a bright grin on her face. Shadow pipes up at the extra attention now that we’ve reached the front of the line.
Instead of placing his order, Mason studies me for a moment. “Why don’t we sit down and grab a quick breakfast?”
The question takes me off guard, and my mouth opens to politely decline.
“It’s on me,” he assures.
The woman glances at me and says, “Just take a seat anywhere, and someone will be right out!”
This isn’t a good idea, but Mason’s already moving.
“What about work?” I ask, following after him.
“They’ll be fine. I’m due a longer break at some point today. Why not now?”
We take a seat at one of the outdoor tables, and Shadow lies down beside us. I fidget with my hands in my lap. I can’t remember the last time I sat down at a café or in a restaurant.
My gaze again scans the tables around us.
Did we ever go out as a family before Mum got sick?
The question plants itself in my mind, but I’ll never know the answer.
I’ve never gone for brunch with my girlfriends, where we laugh and drink mimosas. Hell, who am I kidding? I’ve never had girlfriends.