CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
ROWAN
Mason looked like he regretted what he said immediately.
Good.
Because I regretted how much I liked hearing it.
“Wow,” I said. “That sounded jealous.”
“I’m not jealous.”
“That answer came way too fast.”
“I just think Luca’s a fucking menace.”
“You’re friends with him.”
“Unfortunately.”
There it was again.
That stupid almost-smile he got around me now sometimes.
I hated how much it changed his whole face.
“You know,” I said, “you’re way less intimidating when you accidentally act like a person.”
Mason took a sip of his drink. “That’s devastating news.”
“I’m serious. Earlier tonight you looked like you wanted to kill someone.”
“I did.”
“That’s not helping your case.”
His mouth twitched again.
God.
This was getting dangerous.
MASON
She looked more relaxed now.
Still sharp around the edges, but actually talking instead of constantly defending herself.
That felt… nice.
Which was probably the issue.
Jace appeared again like a demon summoned by emotional vulnerability.
“There you are,” he said. “I lost Luca.”
“Try checking any dark corner within a five-mile radius,” I said.
“Already did. Found three different couples. None were him.”
Rowan laughed into her drink.
Jace pointed immediately. “See? That. You made her do that again.”
“She’s laughing, not solving world hunger.”
“Still impressive for you.”
I flipped him off.
“Aw,” Jace said softly. “Growth.”
“Leave.”
“No.”
ROWAN
Jace was absolutely the type of friend every group accidentally adopts.
Loud. Annoying. Somehow impossible not to like.
“You know,” he said to me, “Mason used to be worse.”
Mason groaned instantly. “Don’t.”
“Oh, I absolutely will.”
I looked between them. “Worse how?”
“He once ignored a girl for three straight days because she reorganized his fridge.”
I blinked. “You’re kidding.”
“I wish.”
“It wasn’t my fridge anymore,” Mason defended.
“That is the most insane thing I’ve ever heard.”
“She put ketchup next to the eggs.”
“That’s not a crime!”
“It should be.”
I stared at him for a second.
Then burst out laughing.
Like fully laughing this time.
And Mason—
actually smiled.
Not the tiny almost version.
A real one.
Jace slapped my shoulder dramatically. “Holy shit, she unlocked it.”
“Shut the fuck up,” Mason muttered, already losing the smile again.
Too late.
I saw it.
And honestly?
That might’ve been the hottest thing all night.
MASON
The way she looked at me after laughing should honestly be illegal.
Because now she looked comfortable.
Warm.
And my brain immediately started heading in dangerous directions.
Abort mission.
Immediately.
“You’re drunk,” I told her.
Rowan frowned. “I’ve had like two drinks.”
“You’re laughing at Jace. That’s concerning.”
“Fuck you.”
“There she is.”
She rolled her eyes but stepped closer automatically when a group shoved past us again.
Close enough that our shoulders brushed.
Neither of us moved away.
Bad.
Very bad.
LUCA
I found them near the bar looking disgustingly emotionally charged again.
Tessa was beside me chewing ice from somebody else’s drink because apparently she had no fear of disease.
“You guys still doing the unresolved yearning thing?” I asked.
Rowan groaned immediately. “Please don’t start.”
“Oh, it’s definitely started,” Tessa said.
Mason looked exhausted already. “Why are both of you here.”
“Because watching you flirt is fun,” Tessa answered.
“We’re not flirting,” Rowan said instantly.
Every single person there looked at her.
Even the bartender.
Tessa snorted. “Baby, be serious.”
“I hate all of you.”
“Emotionally,” Luca added, “you two already look married.”
Mason nearly choked on his drink again.
Honestly impressive at this point.
ROWAN
“This is exactly why I don’t go to parties,” I muttered.
Tessa pointed at Mason. “No, this is why he goes to parties.”
“I didn’t even want to come,” Mason said.
“Bullshit,” Jace cut in, appearing again out of nowhere.
“You literally texted me asking if Rowan was going.”
Silence.
Complete fucking silence.
I turned slowly toward Mason.
Mason looked ready to kill Jace with his bare hands.
“You did what?” I asked.
Jace’s face lit up. “OH, this is incredible.”
“I’m going to murder you,” Mason told him calmly.
“He absolutely texted me first,” Jace continued. “I have screenshots.”
“Jace,” Mason warned.
“No no, keep going,” Tessa said immediately.
Luca was fully grinning now. “This is getting good.”
I looked back at Mason.
And suddenly he looked… caught.
Actually caught.
Which almost never happened.
“You asked if I was coming?” I said.
Mason dragged a hand down his face. “It sounds worse out loud.”
“That’s because it’s weird.”
“I was curious.”
“You hate parties.”
“I know.”
Jace looked emotional. “Guys, I think he has feelings.”
“Jace,” Mason said flatly.
“Sorry. My bad. Continue your psychological foreplay.”
MASON
I was going to kill every single one of my friends.
Publicly.
Violently.
Rowan was staring at me now with this look on her face like she didn’t know whether to laugh or interrogate me.
Unfortunately, both options were bad for me.
“You’re an asshole,” I told Jace.
“You’re obsessed,” he replied immediately.
Tessa nearly fell into Luca laughing.
And the worst part?
Rowan was smiling now too.
Actually smiling at me.
Not teasing.
Not defensive.
Just amused.
Fuck.
I was in serious trouble.