“I used to play tennis you know.” He gestures out the window. “I was quite good.”
“I’m sure you were.”
“My father thought I wasted too much time on the sport, time I could use to better myself in other ways. I suppose, deep down, I’m a little resentful Mason didn’t listen to me like I listened to my father.”
I catch my expression of astonishment just in time. But not quick enough.
“I’m not the monster they think I am.”
“No,” I say, pressing his arm. “I don’t think you are at all.”
“And you, my dear, might be exactly what Mason needs.”
I wink. I wink at Gordon Stirling and he smiles widely, looking younger than his years. “Oh, I definitely am.”
Mase
ItakeFionatothe private airport outside the city as the sun is setting.
Carter—on Grandfather’s orders—made some calls and found a private jet heading to Toronto.
I guess, once in a while, it’s nice to have friends with money.
It’s nice to have a wife who can charm the pants off my grandfather. “He’s never taken to someone like that,” I marvel for the tenth time. “Amazing. You’re amazing.”
Fiona smirks. “I know.”
“You do, do you?”
“I do.” She leans her curly head against my shoulder. “Mase?”
“Fiona.”
“What if I don’t want to go home?”
“Well, I’m sure not leaving you here! He’ll end up giving you the company, and Carter will kill you. Literally kill you. It’s all she’s ever wanted.”
“I like her,” Fiona says. “I love Riese.”
“Riese is very lovable,” I agree. “As are you.”
“I know,” she says again. “I’m amazing and lovable and I don’t want to be without you.”
I huff out a sigh. “I know. God, do I know.” Even the thought of putting her on a plane without me is pure torture.
How did everything happen so fast? How did my life turn so completely around? Not only do I have a wife, but my family—my family spent the afternoontogether, without a fight, without any harsh words. It was like they were all on their best behaviour in front of Fiona, which they never are.
And I saw a different side of my grandfather, a side I don’t half mind.
“But babe—” I grab her hand that is softly stroking my arm and bring it to my lips. “You’ve got to go. You’ve got to get back to your life and I’ve got to be a spring training tomorrow. After that…we’ll figure it out.”
“Are you sure?” Fiona lifts her head and studies me. “This is what you want?”
I chuckle and kiss her hand again. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
“I wish we had more time,” she frets.
“We had those couple of minutes when I was showing you my old room, but hey, I had to be quick because Riese was following us everywhere,” I protest, and Fiona gives one of her big belly laughs that I love.