CHAPTER EIGHT
Jenna
Istare at the bathroom door, shocked at Mason’s sudden departure. But when I get downstairs after I’m dressed and find him and Jack in the kitchen, it all makes sense.
Jack’s home, and we wouldn’t want him to find us like that now, would we? Why do I sound bitter? I’m clearly out of sorts.
I’d turned in the shower to mess with Mason.
I love my body. I’ve never been afraid to flaunt it.
It was supposed to be a fun way to tease him.
But the joke was on me. Because no one has ever looked at me the way he did.
The fire in his eyes lit a spark inside me and, arousal aside, he made me feel desired unlike any other.
I don’t know how to describe it. I felt it from my chest, right down to my toes. My entire body came to life.
From one look. One fervent gaze.
On top of that, there was his reaction to me liking both men and women.
Most guys I tell stare at me in disbelief, or smirk, asking for a threesome.
But Mason’s inquisitive gaze gave me a buzz.
And his response. “I like it.” My God. He’s a whole different species from his brother.
I told Jack I thought one of his friends was beautiful last night by the pool, and he laughed as though I was joking, changing the subject.
It wasn’t a negative response, per se, but he didn’t consider it long enough to ask questions. I like that Mason did.
But he’s Mason.
I shouldn’t be thinking about him like that. Like nothing. I’m not thinking about him like anything.
Jack announces our dinner has arrived, telling me he hopes I’m happy with pizza. And of course, I am. Who doesn’t love pizza?
He sets up the food on the dining room table, and when I take my seat opposite Mason, I suppress a laugh. “Is that pasta?”
He glances down at his bowl. “Ah, yep.” He eyes my pizza, his face contorting. Guess that answers my question. I snort to myself.
Jack sits down, and an uncomfortable tension hovers around the table as we eat. Though, I’m ninety percent sure I’m the only one that feels it. I’m more convinced when Jack casually asks Mason about his day, a brotherly smile on his face.
“I forgot to ask, how were the waves this morning? Kai said they’re up and down this week. I don’t want to wake up early if they’re not worth it.”
A tingle shoots through me. Mason surfs? Why does that make him at least twenty percent hotter? I picture him gliding across the waves while Jack mentions something about his board, and I almost choke on my food. Jack said he surfs too and yet… my mind did not go there.
I feel nothing.
Which is a good thing, right? It’s the best thing for our friendship. I need to push his letter out of my mind. He hasn’t mentioned it at all, and he hasn’t made a move. This is the best possible outcome. I’m not attracted to him. He’s not attracted to me. It’s perfect.
I can relax and enjoy myself without the pressure of what’s to come. I could even find an Aussie to hook up with without feeling guilty.
Mason growls and my heart jolts as my eyes flash to his. Is he reading my mind?
I smile when I find him looking at Jack, until I realize they’re in some kind of standoff. What the hell did I miss?
“Can we talk about this later?” Jack subtly nods my way, and Mason’s eyes dart to mine.
“Yep. Later.” His chair scrapes on the floor as he jumps up, stalking from the room and Jack smiles my way.
“Sorry about that. Big brothers, hey.” He shrugs as longing tugs at my middle. He has no idea how lucky he is.
Jack heads off for a shower after dinner and I take that as my cue to head to my room.
My eyes drift to the bathroom as I walk past and I almost wish Mason had given me the floral body wash, so I could find out if he’s right. If Jack would use it without thought. I smile, imagining Jack smelling like roses.
Though, it could have been Mason’s way of delaying his departure.
And something about that excites me even more.
He’s been grumpy for a majority of the two days I’ve known him, but I’ve seen glimpses of something else, something real.
It’s obvious his asshole persona is a front. A mask to hide behind.
And I’m dying to know why.
Grabbing my book, I jump into bed, preparing for a quiet night. It may only be eight, but you’d think I’d been awake for days with how tired I feel.
I’m halfway through the first page when my phone buzzes and Blair’s name pops up on my screen.
Speaking of being awake, it’s two a.m. there.
Blair: How’s Australia? We haven’t heard from you since your “he’s not a psycho” text. And while I’m grateful you confirmed that, I need details. You’re usually the queen of details
And she usually avoids them. She must miss me.
Me: Why are you awake?
Blair: I was worried
My chest warms and a smile pulls at my lips. If soulmates exist, I’ve already found mine in Blair. She’s my polar opposite, and yet, I couldn’t imagine life without her. It’s nice having someone who cares.
Me: Australia is wonderful. I think I might move here
I’m joking, but I’m not going to pretend the thought hasn’t crossed my mind.
Blair: What? For real?
Me: No. But I want all the hotness to come with me when I go home
Blair: Hotness, huh? How’s Jack?
Me: He’s adorable and sweet and fun
Hayley: Uh-oh
Jeez, Hayley’s awake too?
Blair: What’s uh-oh? What did I miss?
Hayley: He’s adorable and sweet. Both great qualities… What’s missing is what she didn’t say
I smile at Hayley’s message. She gets me too. Sometimes more than Blair does. Maybe I have two soulmates. Soulmates can be friends, right?
Speaking of friends…
Me: I think we’re destined to remain platonic and I’m okay with that
Blair: You are? Was he not the man his letter suggested? All talk?
Me: Nothing’s happened between us
Hayley: Did you talk about it?
Me: Nope. It hasn’t felt right
My mind drifts back to the fire in Mason’s eyes when he saw me naked. If it was him I was friends with, instead of Jack, I would have mentioned it. Demanded he tell me what the hell it all meant. I can’t explain why it’s different for the two of them. It’s just a feeling I get.
Blair: Does that mean you’re coming home?
I type out a message mentioning Mason but think better of it. I wouldn’t know what to say. I don’t understand it myself.
All I know is that I’m not ready to leave. Not yet.
Me: I’m going to stay for a few more days and take a Christmas Day flight home
Blair: Christmas Day! No. Can’t you come on Christmas Eve? You can spend Christmas with us
Me: Thanks, but I’m okay. I’ll come to San Francisco and annoy you both when you’re home next week
Blair: You better
Hayley: Can’t wait
Blair: I’m sorry Jack wasn’t your soulmate
I laugh out loud, pulling the comforter over my head.
Me: I’m not
A soft knock penetrates my hiding place, and I sit up to listen out for it again. “Jenna, it’s me.”
Jack.
Disappointment runs through me, but I cough as though that’ll fix it, refusing to acknowledge what it means. “Come in.”
Jack opens the door and smiles when he finds me in bed. “If you’re not jet-lagged, I’m going to make popcorn and watch a movie. Want to join me?”
“I’d love to. I’ll be down in a minute.”
“Great.” His smile widens and yep…it’s adorable. He has golden retriever energy but doesn’t come across as loyal and caring as that. After exchanging letters for eight years, I’m still trying to work him out.
By the time I drag myself out of bed and make it downstairs, Jack has Love Actually paused on the opening airport scene, and my stomach knots.
I’m really not feeling Christmas this year, and while it’s not something I can easily ignore, I wasn’t expecting to be constantly hit in the face with it.
The beach was perfect. There were no signs of Christmas.
Just an open space full of gorgeous people.
“Christmas, huh?” I force a happiness I don’t feel, and Jack instantly believes it.
“Hell, yeah. Gotta get into the spirit.”
“What about Die Hard?” That I can do.
“Die Hard? That’s not a Christmas movie.”
“What?” My jaw drops as my question echoes from behind me.
“Sometimes I worry about you, bro.” Mason’s deep voice filters through the air, and my head involuntarily twists toward the sound. “Die Hard is definitely a Christmas movie,” he agrees with me.
“Maybe.” Jack shrugs, clearly still annoyed at Mason from whatever was said earlier.
“So…”
“I’m not feeling it.” He shrugs again.
Mason opens his mouth to speak but I cut in. “What about something different then? Something non-Christmassy.”
“Something non-Christmassy at Christmas time?”
“Yep.”
Jack frowns in confusion, and I’d laugh if I wasn’t about to give in and watch Love Actually. “It’s—”
“Two against one, little bro. We’re watching Die Hard.” Mason jumps over the arm of the couch opposite us and lands on the cushion, making himself comfortable.
“I thought you were going out?” Jack snaps, his gaze briefly flashing my way as his eyes widen toward his brother. If he’s trying to signal something to Mason, he doesn’t get it, because he simply shrugs, pointing to the TV.
“My plans changed and I want some Bruce Willis.”
Without another word, Jack goes back to their movie home page and sure enough, Die Hard is listed under Christmas movies.
He scoffs as he presses play, but I don’t watch the screen.
Instead, my curious gaze lands on Mason.
Was that for me? Or did he do it to piss off his brother?
He’s not even watching; he’s got his face buried in his phone.
A few seconds pass and I’m about to force myself to pay attention when his head lifts and our eyes lock. He shoots me a wink, and my breath catches as he turns to face the TV, the smallest of smiles playing on his lips.
He did it for me. And I’m not sure I like how good that makes me feel.