Lila’s heart clenched with memories of another man who promised he would never leave. Mason might think he wanted to be in Half Moon Key, but he was wrong.
Outsiders always left. Mason would be no different.
NINE
MASON
Mason was scrubbing the stainless-steel kitchen counter with a hard brush, whistling along to the song playing over the speaker. He and Lila were taking turns picking songs as they closed down the diner for the night. The last customer was gone, and unless there was a last-minute person coming in, they would soon be officially closing Moony’s for the night in no time at all.
It was strange to think that working in this small town diner was the most fun Mason had ever had in all of his career, but it was the truth. When he said as much to Lila, she rolled her eyes.
“You’re a terrible liar,” she snorted. “There’s no way you think it’s more fun to work here than a fancy Parisian restaurant with a couple of Michelin stars.”
“I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true,” he assured her.
“Well, I totally call bullshit, just so you know.”
“You’re a very stubborn woman.”
“I sure am. It’s not like there’s much to recommend about this place.” She looked around the kitchen. “Most of the appliances should be changed, and the dining room needs a coat of paint or two. In an ideal world, I would also have the moneyandthe time to change the floor.”
“Well, you’re only seeing the flaws of this place because you’re tired and never have a break.”
“Um, I beg to differ!” she gasped. “You made me take a morning off.”
“Yeah, that was almost two weeks ago. You’re still thinking I’m only here on a temporary basis, but I’ll remind you that I’ve been in town for almost two months now. Still no desire to leave.”
“Yet,” she sang. “No desire to leaveyet. It’ll come.”
“I don’t think so. As I said, I liked this place. I like that I need to shred some carrots for Mrs. Francis. I like having regulars and encouraging them to try new things. I like driving you crazy.”
“Oh, that last one, I havenodoubt, is true.” She giggled and quickly placed a hand over her mouth to stifle the sound, but it was too late. He heard it, and it made his heart swell.
She really did have a beautiful laugh.
“Who knew that giving a lady a morning off and helping run her kitchen would make her crazy?”
“You tease, but I’ve been running this place all alone for a long time. I’m not used to having help.”
“Hadn’t noticed,” he deadpanned.
She rolled her eyes at him, and though she once again tried to hide her smile, he saw it. High on that small victory, he picked a romantic song. When it started playing over the speaker, he made sure to look right at Lila. She blushed deeply and suddenly became very interested in the supply list she was making.
“Gimme your hand,” he said, holding out his.
She blinked at him. “What?”
He didn’t answer but took her hand in his. He twirled her, spinning her out only to spin her back into him. He wrapped their fingers together on one hand while his other wrapped around her waist. They started swaying to the music. He could feel her heart beatingveryfast against his. She was almost holding her breath, but she didn’t move away from him. In fact, she even took a step closer, placing their hips nearly an inch apart.
It was bold as hell, but Mason was getting ready tokissLila. Just a quick little one to make it clear he wasn’t going anywhere. He started to lean over her, his blood singing in his veins.
“Lila?” came a panicked voice from the dining room.
It shattered whatever little spell had been cast over the kitchen, and they broke apart. Lila took three big steps backward, and her entire face turned bright red. She rushed out to the dining room, Mason following closely behind her.
“Misty?” she gasped. “What are you doing here? Where is Nana?”
Misty…a short and thin young woman with mousy brown hair in pink scrubs…stood in the empty dining room, wringing her fingers together.