Shopping dragged but Mason, despite the bored out of his mind expression powered through like a true champion, without complaining.
Mason paced around in front of the lingerie shop while I was trying to find a bra, doing his best not to look in that direction. You would think, for a man that had probably unhooked more bras than one could fit in a shipping container he'd be more at ease walking into one.
I didn't know what I was doing myself, so I went with what I saw that my mother used to wear. I knew she had good taste so I picked several different ones in the same tone. The unease on Mason's face was more than obvious as I walked to the cashier's counter and placed the bras on it to pay for it.
I didn't hear what the cashier said it was, but I just handed her the biggest note, without even looking at her. I was staring at Mason. He'd become the centre and my eyes gravitated towards him without me even knowing it.
" There you go, Miss. All done." The cashier pushing the bag into my face broke my thoughts and snapped me out of my dreams.
" Thank you" I shyly mumbled, embarrassed that I got caught red-handed when Mason turned and saw me staring. I had no clue if he was aware of my infatuation with him but at this point, I couldn't even deny it if he would bring it up.
Mason glanced at his wrist watch " Time for lunch," He said as he pushed me towards the car, and offered me his hand to help me inside. I felt like a princess.
" The Greek, Adam. " Mason curtly said and heaved out a heavy breath.
" Who knew shopping can make you this hungry" Mason absently muttered to himself, fiddling with the handle of the bag. I most certainly didn't but it did. I was famished.
" Yes. I'm hungry" I said emphatically grinning, ear to ear.
Mason hummed and raised his eyes to look at me " I'm glad to hear it. Don't worry. Greek people like their food and is always plentiful." A charming smile graced his lips and my heart skipped a beat. It was for me.
When Adam pulled in front of the restaurant Mason stepped out and placed the bag on the back seat, reaching with his hand for me to take. Adam had been with us all morning.
" Adam, would you like to join us for lunch?" I didn't know the man well but just like everyone else he needed to eat.
" It would be my pleasure, Lily" That was the first time I'd heard my name coming off someone's lips since I moved to Morston and I wasn't off my rocks. It felt nice.
Without further ado I took Mason's hand and clambered out of the car, ready to fill my rumbling tummy.
When we walked into the restaurant, we were greeted by the head server who wore traditional greek attire and the restaurant was decorated with various traditional items and a specific greek theme.
" Mr Kinnaird, " The server shook Mason's hand, friendly.
" Nikos. It's good to see you." Mason smiled and glanced around the busy restaurant.
" Your usual table is available, Mr Kinnaird. If you're looking for something more private," Nikos said in his thick greek accent, with a wary smile.
" I see that you are quite busy, so I will take that one" Mason finally said after a few moments of silence.
" Very well, follow me" Nikos said as he made his way through the tables, and stepped out of the noisy restaurant into what seemed a different building because it looked nothing like what I just saw.
Dim lighting, dark walls, and scattered booth-like tables with leather sofas and the air was laden with cigarette smoke. I couldn't help but wonder what was that place.
Nikos halted his steps next to a table in the farthest corner and waved us to take a seat. Mason and Adam posted themselves at either side of the booth like guards waiting for me to go in, a little uneasy. A look that I didn't think I would see on Mason, but there it was.
When I took my seat Mason and Adam took a seat as well, each on either side of me. I was sandwiched in, and it felt like we were in enemy territory and I couldn't wait to get out.
Nikos appeared with the menu " I'll be back in a few to take your drinks and food order if you are ready" Nikos's frazzled smile, made me even more uneasy. I felt that we were not supposed to be there. And the two men at the table shared my feelings.
" Aktí eínai katharí" Nikos said over his shoulder and the relief on Mason's face was clear as day. I knew that was greek. I had no clue what it meant, though.
Mason nodded and smiled, turning his full attention to the menu, while Adam and I did the same. Eventually, I choose the spanakopita, Mason had the gyro and Adam ordered dolma.
" How was your day out, Lily?" Adam broke the silence and I couldn't be more grateful that he did.
" It was good. I enjoyed it very much," I decided to go with it. The stale silence that had set in was unbearable.
" Next time you should join me. Sitting in the car can't be much fun." I amusedly added. trying the get things going. I was excited, I was out with Mason. It was indeed my birthday.
" I will." Adam cleared his throat " Maybe now that you've seen some of Morston, you would want to see more of it" Adam smiled and took a sip out of the water and so did I. I hadn't had a drop of water all day, and no breakfast. And with that, I drooled at the thought of food.
" I have one more week and then I'm done until September with my studies. I have an entire summer to go out and about. I'm sure Mr Kinnaird can let you off sometimes so you can join me." I innocently added but I was quickly alarmed by the spark in Adams's eyes, who grinned at me.
" I don't think so. " Mason interjected " You will have three weeks off and then you will go back to your studies" And with that the charming man went off into the sunset and I was baffled. I always had the summer off.
" I always had the summer off," I countered hoping that Mason would concede but I knew it wasn't much of an argument. I had lost the fight before it even began.
" Next year is your last year. And you have your final exams. Wasting an entire summer is out of the question. " The stern tone that Mason used made it clear that there was no room for the debacle and the pointed look he gave me made me shrink in my seat.
" Maybe the year after, " I mumbled under my breath but in the quiet room it was heard.
" Yes. The year after you can do whatever you like. That will be the year you are an adult." And no longer my problem. I filled in the gaps because I knew that's what I was to Mason. A problem that my parents dropped into his lap. An inconvenience.