Chapter Forty-eight
Audrey tapped lightly on the hospital room door before stepping inside.
Mason lay propped up against a stack of pillows, looking better than she had expected. His shoulder was bandaged, his color had returned, and there was a distinct look of boredom on his face as he flipped through the TV channels with the remote in his good hand.
“Which Housewives are you bingeing?” Audrey asked, crossing her arms and leaning against the doorframe.
Mason looked over and immediately brightened. “Holbrook.” He clicked the remote, silencing the TV. “Finally, someone with a brain. I was about to throw myself out the window if I had to watch one more episode of Antiques Roadshow.”
“Wow. Strong feelings about appraised furniture.”
Mason grinned. “Turns out, I prefer actual crime to old people selling clocks.”
Nurse Katie, who was in the room, smirked as she jotted something down on his chart. “I’ll leave you two alone,” she said knowingly. “Just don’t stress him out too much, Audrey. He’s still recovering.”
Audrey rolled her eyes. “I’ll do my best.”
Katie gave Mason a pointed look. “No funny business, Dooley.”
Mason smirked. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Katie snorted and walked out, leaving them in silence.
Audrey pulled up a chair and sat down. “So. You got shot.”
Mason snorted. “Yeah. I was there.”
“Feels like I should be thanking you,” Audrey admitted. “You saved my life.”
Mason waved it off. “Eh, you did most of the work. I just bled dramatically for effect.”
Audrey rolled her eyes. “Don’t downplay it. You risked your life for me, Mason.”
Mason held her gaze, his usual smirk fading. “I’d do it again.”
Audrey glanced at his IV, at the machines beeping softly beside his bed. “So how long until you’re back on your feet?”
Mason sighed dramatically. “I’d say a week, but Jill’s being a real hard-ass about it. Says I need to fully heal before she lets me back in the field.”
Audrey raised a brow. “My mother? Cautious?”
Mason laughed. “I know, right? But she’s looking out for me.” He paused. “She’s a damn good cop.”
Audrey blinked, not expecting the sudden earnestness in his tone.
Mason shifted slightly, wincing as he adjusted his injured shoulder. “She’s one of the best I’ve ever worked for,” he continued. “Tough as hell, but fair. And she actually gives a damn. I’ve learned more from her in the last year than I did the whole time I was at the academy.”
Audrey stared at him. “You actually admire her.”
Mason scoffed. “Of course I do. She’s sharp. She’s ten steps ahead of everyone else. Except maybe you and your grandmother. And whether you want to admit it or not, she’s also a damn good mom.”
Audrey fidgeted in her chair. “Yeah, well. She’s overprotective.”
Mason grinned. “So? Isn’t that her job?”
Audrey sighed, flipping her hair. “I guess.”
Mason nudged her with his good arm. “Cut her some slack, Holbrook. She’s a force of nature, and the town’s lucky to have her.”
Audrey exhaled, crossing her arms. “Fine. Maybe she’s not the worst.”
Mason chuckled. “That’s the spirit.”
Audrey fell silent for a moment, watching Mason as he relaxed against the pillows. The bruises on his face were fading, but the cut near his temple was still fresh.
“You scared me,” she admitted softly.
Mason arched his brow. “Me? Please. I was fine.”
“You were shot, Mason.”
Mason grinned. “Yeah, but it was a cool injury.”
Audrey rolled her eyes. “You could’ve died, and you’re making jokes.”
His smirk softened. “Hey,” he said gently, “I’m right here.”
She hesitated, then reached out, tentatively taking his hand. Mason stilled, his fingers curling around hers.
“I don’t know what this is,” Audrey said, glancing at their hands. “But I—”
Mason gave a gentle tug, pulling her forward. “You think too much, Holbrook.”
Before she could react, he leaned in, and suddenly, his lips were on hers.
The kiss was warm, steady, and lingered just long enough to make her stomach flip. Audrey found herself leaning in, gripping his fingers tighter.
A throat cleared behind them.
They broke apart instantly, turning to see Katie standing in the doorway, arms crossed.
“Well,” Katie said, grinning. “I was just coming to check your vitals, but it looks like your heart rate is doing just fine.”
Mason groaned, covering his face. “Fantastic.”
Audrey bit her lip, smiling despite herself.
Katie winked and turned on her heel. “I’ll come back in a few minutes. Carry on.”
Mason sighed dramatically. “I’m never going to live that down.”
Audrey squeezed his hand. “Nope. But hey—at least you’re alive to suffer through it.”
Mason grinned. “And I’d say that’s a win.”