Chapter 10 #2
“Good. Tired but good. I swear work never slows down.” She sighs.
“Your boss is a dick for working you so hard,” I say, poking fun at myself.
“He really is. I would think he was doing it to get back at me for something, but I know he works just as hard as I do,” she quips, making me chuckle.
“I guess it’s a good thing that you are taking a few days and staying here. You’ll have some time for yourself,” I tell her, knowing I would love to stay, but that she also deserves some time alone.
Something I can’t name flashes across her face, but she quickly masks it. It has me curious, but I don’t push. I never push when it comes to her.
“True. Thank you for that.” She smiles, but it doesn’t feel real.
“Have anything fun planned?” I keep my tone light.
“Eh, shopping mainly. I just need a little break to do my own thing without having to set alarms or anything. A minute to enjoy life without anything else bringing me down.”
I feel guilty for a moment. I know her dedication to The Williamson Group is why she feels she needs this break. I would never fault her for taking more time off, but she won’t. No matter how hard I try.
Maybe I need to take more time and force her to come with me. Maybe explore a different country together. Or simply going home to see our friends.
“I get it.”
I really do. I can’t even remember the last time I truly took a vacation. Every trip I take is always linked to business. I need to start leading by example.
I don’t know how Mason did this all these years. He never complained once. Never seemed tired or drained. All I feel is drained. I always thought it was related to my aversion to people and having a short social battery, but looking at Iris, I wonder if Mason isn’t really a superhero.
Yeah, he had Eli, but they didn’t split the load nearly as much as she and I do. Maybe I should ask him.
I never will, though. He would feel guilty and try to come back. Mason is a selfless person. He would give up everything for those he loves, me included.
“I am surprised you didn’t pencil in a few days in Boston too. I know how much you love it there as much as you do here.”
She smiles. “Boston is home, but I can get there much more than I do here. London is my favorite city. I want to really enjoy it.”
“You could take more time off. Spend an extra week here, then take a week back home. I can handle the office,” I offer.
“I know you can, but you know I couldn’t take that much time off. I would go stir-crazy within a few days. Really, the extra couple days are enough.”
“I could stay with you. I know you hate being alone.”
She looks panicked for a moment, making me wonder if she has someone else she is planning to do these things with. It has my jealousy flaring to life.
“No. I know you hate the tourist shit I like to do. You go home and I’ll meet you there. I’ll be fine, honestly.”
Part of me wants to ask her who he is. If she thinks she can really make a relationship work when the man lives here and she lives in New York. Then again, maybe he travels too. Maybe they would meet up every time we travel for work.
My thoughts spiral.
“Are you okay?” she asks, pulling me from the black hole.
I clear my throat. “Yeah, of course.”
The server comes over and takes our drink and food order.
“Did you get the photo last night from Olivia?” she asks as the server walks away, changing the topic to something safer.
“I did.” I feel the genuine smile fill my face.
“Ari was so cute, and never in a million years would I have thought Mason Williamson would fall asleep with a tiara on his head.” She smiles, which I can’t help but return.
My brother has the perfect little family. I wish I had it too. With Iris.
“Right? I would have never pictured him as a girl dad. It feels right, though,” I tell her, pulling my mind from those thoughts.
When Mason found out about Ari, it flipped not only his world but mine. I love my niece more than I thought was possible. I’ll always spend time with her if given the chance. She is the joy of my life. All of our lives, really. Even Iris loves her.
“Speaking of Ari, did you pick up her gift, or do you need me to?” she asks, slightly changing the subject.
“I planned on grabbing her some of those chocolates she likes at the airport,” I tell her.
Iris rolls her eyes. “You should get her something other than candy.”
“But she likes it. Why would I change what works?”
“You really are trying to win the favorite uncle award, aren’t you?” she teases.
When we found out about Ari, Brantley, Eli, and I all joked that we were going to compete for the position of favorite uncle. To say Ari uses it to her advantage would be an understatement.
The girl is tiny, but she’s already a mastermind and knows exactly what to do to get what she wants. She plays all of us like a fiddle, and we fucking love it.
“I’m not trying to win anything. I’m already winning it,” I snort.
The conversation flows, and we talk about our friends and family. It’s so easy between us. When I’m with her, I enjoy our conversations. I’m not constantly looking for a way to escape.
The server brings over our food and sets it down in front of us. Wordlessly, we begin placing food on the other’s plate from our own. When we’re done, we share a smile, and I can’t help but wish it was always like this.
“Hey Max, thank you for this,” she says as she takes a bite.
“Anytime.”
I mean the words. I would do this anytime for the rest of our lives.
I only wish she could see the truth. Yet the words refuse to fall from my lips.
I know it’s my fault she doesn’t know how I feel, but I can’t push myself past that barrier. If I don’t figure out how to do it soon, I’m afraid I will lose her for good.