Chapter 30
30
PIA
“I love this place.”
Delaney and I sat with her friend, a woman I’d heard about but never met, at the Grapevine Bistro and Bar. Overlooking the lake, about two miles from the inn, it was a place on the list of recommendations we offered but my first time visiting.
It was awesome and apparently only a few years old. Embodying cozy sophistication with its brick interior, flickering candles and barnwood accent walls showcasing local art, apparently it was also a favorite of Juliette’s. The wine list offered top selections both local and global, perfectly paired by their in-house sommelier. At night, the rustic bar with twinkling string lights filling the terrace created a romantic atmosphere that we couldn’t completely enjoy since it was raining.
“Same,” Jules said. We’d been talking for all of three minutes when she told me to use the nickname, explaining that Juliette felt so formal to her. “How are your scallops?”
“So good,” I said. “I’ll admit curried cauliflower puree scared me a little, but it’s so good.”
“Pia likes to live on the edge,” Delaney said.
“Anyone dating Mason Bennett clearly likes to roll the dice.” Jules took a bite of roasted duck that looked as good as my scallops.
“Well, we’re not actually dating.”
Delaney gave me a pointed look.
“I mean, I guess we are. I have no idea what we’re doing to be honest.”
“Sounds like dating to me.” Jules took a sip of wine. “But I will admit it’s a complicated situation. Boss and all. And with him unsure about staying.”
After introductions, we’d talked about our dating situations, Jules not hiding the fact that she wasn’t a fan of Delaney’s boyfriend. She was currently single but seemed fine with the fact. I had liked her immediately—Jules was the kind of confident woman that I knew would be a new friend.
“I’m trying not to think about that and be like water, just going with the flow.”
“I like that.” Delaney folded her napkin and placed it on the table. “Like water. If it meets a rock, it just flows around it. Adaptable.”
“Exactly,” I said. “That’s easier said than done. At my last job, I was up for a big promotion and, long story short, the good ol’ boys club screwed me. Guy who got the job was way down the ladder, worked there less than a year but… golfed with the boss.”
“Oh gawd,” Jules said. “That sounds about right.”
“So tell me more about your writing,” I said, not wanting to steal the spotlight.
“Basically, I love to murder people.”
My eyes widened.
“In my books, of course. I write mystery fiction, but just for fun. Actual money comes from freelance editing, mostly.”
“And teaching writing classes, and she owns her own business with all sorts of writing services,” Delaney kicked in, supporting her friend.
“And that,” Jules admitted.
“You sound thrilled about it,” I said.
“Yeah, not so much. I’d love to focus on one thing, just writing fiction. But getting published is so freaking hard. I tried for a few years and gave up.”
“Can I get you ladies anything else?” the waiter interjected. “More drinks? Dessert?”
“What do you ladies think? One more, or head back into town?”
I kept quiet. Heading into town meant, likely, running into Mason. He’d texted earlier that he was going out with Parker, so I assumed they were at O’Malleys. But I didn’t want to pressure the girls into going there just for me. And I also wanted to prove to myself I didn’t need to be with Mason all the time. Pretty soon, I might not see him at all, so better get used to the fact.
The thought was like a punch to my gut. Unwelcome and entirely too painful.
“Let’s head into town. I haven’t been in ages,” Jules said.
It was odd for me to think that she lived in Cedar Falls but never went into town. I really needed to get out more and see some of the outlying areas.
“Sounds good.”
We got and paid for the check, and having called for a car to drive us, all three of us a few drinks in, Jules steered me over to one of the brick-exposed walls. Artwork from local artists hung everywhere, but the painting she pointed to of a sunset was particularly pretty.
“Check this out,” she said.
I wasn’t an expert at judging art by any means, but the lakeside sunset perfectly captured Keuka Lake. “It’s beautiful. So realistic, almost like a photograph. But prettier.”
When I noticed Delaney’s expression, I finally put two and two together. Moving closer to it verified that it was, indeed, her painting. “Holy shit. I knew you said you painted, but Delaney, this is so good.”
“Thanks,” she said. “And they actually paid me for it, so even better.”
“Delaney is so talented. Every art teacher we had in school said she was amazing.”
“What can I say.” Delaney shrugged. “We’re just two struggling artists trying to find our way.”
“Well,” I said as we headed outside, “I admire both of you like crazy. I couldn’t paint, or write stories, or do anything creative like that, even if you put a gun to my head.”
“I don’t think I could write with a gun to my head,” Jules admitted. “That would be way too stressful.”
We all laughed as the car pulled up. “Where are we headed?” I asked.
“O’Malley’s,” Delaney answered with a smile on her face. “Figured you wouldn’t mind heading there.”
“Another place I haven’t been in ages,” Jules said. “I really need to get out more.”
She didn’t get it, but I did. Delaney knew full well Mason hung out there, and had probably guessed I wanted to see him. I gave her a smile and my friend winked back.
Hey, I tried. Wasn’t my idea to head there, and I’d tell Mason that. Not that it mattered. I was pretty sure the “playing it cool” ship had long sailed. And most importantly, I was going to see Mason in a matter of minutes.
The butterflies in my stomach worried me. I was very likely setting myself up for a massive heartbreak, but what could I do at this point but ride the wave and hope the crashing down wasn’t too hard.
* * *
“There’s my girl.”
Two things hit me when I saw Mason at the bar. First, he was sloshed. It was the first time I’d seen him drunk, but there was no doubt he’d been here a while. Second, being called “my girl” by a drunk “not my boyfriend” should not be giving me full-body tingles.
Didn’t somebody say that expectations were the thief of joy?
“Hi there,” I said as the three of us walked up to the bar. He’d been talking to someone I didn’t know when we came in, but Mason’s full attention was on me. Hauling me into his side, he wasn’t shy about kissing me, and I wasn’t shy about returning the kiss, though I did end it fairly quickly, not wanting things to be awkward in front of the girls.
“Mason, you know Delaney. And this is Juliette Porter.”
Mason smiled at Delaney. Good to know he was a fun drunk. Mason seemed pretty darn happy.
“Jules,” she said to Mason from behind me as I angled so the girls could get closer to the bar. “My mother knew your dad. I’m very sorry to hear of your loss.”
“Thank you,” Mason replied in a moment of sobriety. “Jules Porter. Hmm. You’re from Cedar Falls?”
“Not originally. I moved here when my parents divorced in seventh grade. I think you were a senior at the time.”
I hadn’t realized Jules was that much younger than Delaney and me.
“Delaney baney,” Beck called from behind the bar. “What can I get my girl and her friends?”
Suddenly the “my girl” steam was taken out of Mason’s words. And now I was just being silly. What the hell was wrong with me? Water, Pia. Be like water .
As they ordered drinks, I gave my attention to Mason.
“You’ve been here a while.”
“Yes, ma’am, I have. Glad you came. How was dinner?”
“Amazing. Did you say you’ve been there before?”
“Once or twice. Food is good. It’s too bad the weather sucks,” he said with a slight slur to his voice. “The lakeside patio is one of their best features.”
“I bet. It was still really good. We’ll have to—” I stopped, realizing we might not get the chance.
“Go there sometime?”
I nodded.
“How’s next weekend?”
Because he might not be here much beyond that. “Sure,” I said, trying to drum up some excitement and take my own advice about going with the flow. But at the same time, I could feel myself getting attached.
Not good.
“Works for me,” I added. “So what else have you been up to tonight?”
Mason pulled me close again. “We started early at the house. There are a few things I want to talk to you about as I finish combing through Dad’s books, but no work talk. Decided to get drunk. Parker’s idea. Or maybe mine, not sure. You probably noticed I’ve had a few drinks. And didn’t text you all night.”
He was making about 50 percent sense. “Where is he now?”
“Parker? Stumbled home. Has an early job.”
“And yes, I’ve noticed you had a few drinks. Guess you’re a happy drunk, huh?”
“Sure am.”
“You said you didn’t text me all night. What did you mean?”
“Mmm, that was a slip.”
A slip? Mason didn’t slip. That was the thing about him. Always under control. Maybe, until tonight?
“A slip, huh?”
“Yeah.” He motioned his fingers like he was sealing his lips closed. “You’re not getting anything more from me tonight.”
“No?” I asked, suggestively.
He groaned. “Okay, maybe. But not about how hard it was not to text you or ask to see you.”
I stifled a smile. “Another slip?”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
I kissed him on the nose. I liked this Mason.
“I don’t want to abandon the girls,” I said, disentangling myself from him but wishing I didn’t have to.
He pushed me gently toward them, slapping me on the ass. “Go ahead. I’ll just be over here eyeing you up while you do.”
Laughing, I brought myself into the conversation with Delaney and Jules. Every once in a while, I turned back to see Mason talking to either the guy next to him or Beck, and mostly, doing exactly as he promised.
Watching me.
I liked this, being with him, and my own friends. I liked this a lot, actually.
Never fall in love .
Seemed like a pretty good rule if you wanted to guard your heart. Unfortunately, I was pretty sure it was too late for me to take that particular brand of advice.