I conceded, and hooked my arm in his and the three of us strolled out of the house. I'd never seen Enid wearing elegant clothing, but she looked much younger. I've never asked how she came to work for Mason. I assumed that it was through the usual channels. But I felt that something was amiss when she joined us for the charity ball.
Mason helped Enid climb into the car, and then climbed in the front seat next to Adam.
" Good evening, ladies. Looking wonderful this evening. I consider myself a lucky man to drive two of the most beautiful women in Morston to a charity ball," Adam crooned, chirpier than usual.
" Tone it down, Adam" Mason chuckled " You're not taking them home with you, so save your charms for the ladies at the charity ball. There will be plenty for you to chase around," Mason smirked at Adam, who chuckled at the remark. And that was the first time, I had seen another side of Mason. It was hard to tell which one I loved more. I loved the stoic, stern, charming, laid-back Mason, but I was sure that he had more layers than a damn onion.
" True. But I have to try my luck with these two since the ones at the ball will probably be too busy chasing you around." Adam casually countered, making Mason glance at me. I knew who he was. He was a philanderer. Everyone knew that, he didn't exactly keep it a secret.
Mason hummed " Then, you're welcome to try, but Miss Abernathy is off limits." Mason smirked and patted Adam on the shoulder.
" But that leaves me with Miss Pinslow" Adam grinned in the mirror at Enid.
" I would happily go with you, dear." Enid giggled " But I would probably fall asleep before either of us gets undressed," Enid grinned back at Adam, who let out wholehearted laughter.
" I like to cuddle Miss Pinslow. I'm one of a kind. Any kind of love would do. It doesn't take much to make me happy," Adam quipped " Plus, your chicken casserole is to die for, so it's a win-win for me," Adam shrugged, and Mason once again glanced at me over his shoulder. I was just enjoying the light-hearted banter. It made me feel at ease seeing everyone enjoying themselves. I only had eyes for Mason. I was the moth to his flame and he was the shadow to my light.
" Love goes through the stomach." Enid countered, giggling " That is the way to a man's heart." Enid added, and I frowned. I knew the saying. I looked at Mason who impishly smiled, and looked at me.
" That is very true, Miss Pinslow." Adam amusedly said as he pulled over in front of the town's hall where the ball was hosted.
" We are here, " Adam sighed as he pulled into the parking slot, and climbed out of the car looking just as spiffy as Mason.
Adam walked to Enid's side of the car to help her out " If I'm taking you home with me tonight, I must treat you like the queen that you are," Adam crooned kissing the back of Enid's hand as she stepped out of the car making Mason grimace at the cheesy line.
My eyes locked with Mason's and all I could see was him, the feel of his hand on mine and I wanted more, so much more. I was breathless, even though I had just stepped out of the car, and I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around him and kiss the life out of him. I bit my lips to steel my thoughts. I had to constantly remind myself that it was just me that wanted all of those things.
The sound of light chatter brought me back to the earthly realm while a boy nodded and greeted us with the usual platitudes. When we stepped inside, I instantly recognised the logo of the charity that held the ball. It was the same charity that funded the soup kitchen in the Morston Quarter. As we walked around, it was no surprise to feel everyone's eyes on us, on Mason.
" Mason," A girl beamed running up to us, wide-eyed, grinning from ear to ear.
" You're here. You're late. That is so unlike you," The girl rambled on, looking up at him as if I wasn't even there. Tall as a stack of hay, blond hair, brown eyes heavy with makeup, and full red lips.
Mason frowned " I must apologise for my tardiness, Miss Morston. My lovely companion had some issues with her dress," Mason smiled, but it was stiff. He didn't like the girl swooning and questioning him. No one questioned Mason Kinnaird.
" Ava," An older man called as he approached us " Ahh, There you are. Good to see that you're finally here. She's been fidgeting in her seat worried that you might not come," The man smiled at Mason, it was a genuine smile or so it seemed at first glance.
" My apologies, mayor" Mason paused for a moment " As I told, Miss Morston, my companion had some troubles with her dress" Mason reiterated his earlier words and the man turned to me, but not the girl. Oh, no she had eyes only for Mason. I knew that feeling, all too well.
" Yes. You must be the mysterious Miss Abernathy " The mayor took my hand and kissed the back of it " No wonder you've been keeping her under lock and key." The mayor chuckled " The cat is out of the bag now. You'll have to either buy a gun or hire security," The mayor amusedly added making Mason frown. The mayor's words seemed to have made a dent in his mood.
" Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr Morston " I finally added, smiling at him.
" Oh, isn't she lovely " The mayor beamed " This one is like a savage" He added glancing over to his daughter who didn't take her eyes off Mason.
" If it is not too much trouble I would like to steal this man for a few moments. It won't take long," The mayor added with a smile and waved Mason to a more private corner.
" Absolutely," I smiled and unhooked my arm from Mason's. Ava, the girl didn't even blink, her eyes just followed Mason and her father as they stepped aside.
I didn't want to watch that, I probably had the same dazed, crazy look on my face whenever I looked at him. It was a painful sight, I felt ashamed. I tore my gaze away from Ava and made my way to the wall where the pictures of the slum were displayed.
I knew the place all too well, its people and the picture didn't do them any justice, but it was a reminder that not everyone was fortunate. My gaze strayed further along the wall and stopped over an old picture of a boy, so battered that one could hardly recognise his face, but the frosty blue of his eyes and the sadness behind them looked eerily familiar. I've seen those eyes before, but just couldn't place them. Mason was one of the few people with that particular shade of blue that I knew. I glanced over my shoulder to Mason who was still speaking with the mayor. He briefly glanced at me and bitterly smiled.
" Do you want to be friends?" Ava squealed behind me making me jump.
" You nearly gave me a heart attack," I turned to her, mustering a smile. I knew it was bitter, pitying not just her, but myself as well.
" Ava," I closed my eyes trying to gather my witts. I knew why she wanted to be friends. I was her way in with Mason " I'd love to, but I know what you're doing." I calmly said trying not to hold it against her. Not many women could resist Mason's charms.
" Mason is never home during the day," It was half true. He sometimes was, but that didn't happen very often " He comes home late at night and seldom alone. Let it go." The advice was more to myself than to Ava. I needed to get a grip on myself and move on. She seemed old enough to be aware of certain things and I wasn't in the mood to pat her shoulder and hold her hand.
" Oh. I didn't know about that," Ava sighed, downcast " Maybe he hasn't met the right woman." She perked up instantly, just as delusional as I was, smiling at me. I guess hope is the fool's worst enemy. Most certainly, it was mine.
" And you think that could be you?" Then you are crazier than I am. Those words sat on the tip of my tongue.
" Yes," She eagerly nodded, grinning and kept glancing at Mason.
" Ava," I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to think of something to say without being too harsh " Look, if you want to be friends that is fine by me, but this will get you nowhere." I should know, I've been living with him for almost two years, and I was still where I started.
" I would still like to try," Ava replied in her squeaky voice, a little tamer this time around " If you want something then you must do whatever it takes to achieve your goal. That's what Papa says," She added, with lifted spirits. I frowned, thinking that she was a tad too old to be calling her father 'papa'.
" As you wish, Ava. I'm guessing that you have all the details just let me know when you would like to drop by," I casually said, ready to end the conversation. There was no way I could have talked sense into the girl. I truly believed that no one could.