Way to be subtle, Ash. Em rolled her eyes at her friends retreating back and sank deeper into the couch cushions.
Mason chuckled, fishing out two more slices and passing one to Em. “Friday night?”
“Huh?”
“Studying. How’s Friday night? We work the same afternoon shift. We can go to the library for a bit afterward and then maybe hit up the movies to unwind?”
This was seriously happening. Em took a deep breath and responded with a smile, “Sure. It’s a date.”
Mason grinned back at her, and Em wondered for the billionth time if this was a terrible idea.
***
Mason was the whole package. Not just the looks, but the brains to go with them. Em had always been above average in terms of schoolwork, but trying to study for a high school degree after having been away from it for so long was difficult. Mason was an amazing help, patiently explaining formulas and problems for hours until the library announced it was closing time.
“You hungry?”
Em’s stomach answered for her at the mere mention of food, growling loudly enough to embarrass her in the quiet space.
Mason’s chest bounced with silent laughter. “I’ll take that as a yes. Let’s go grab some food before the movie.”
“As long as it’s not pizza.” She didn’t think she could handle another Friday night at the madhouse.
“No. Not pizza. I’ve got an idea. Come on.”
When they pulled up outside a quaint little eatery with a French name she couldn’t pronounce, Em instantly regretted vetoing pizza. The low lighting and soft music made all of it seem just a little too romantic. Too . . . date like. But that’s what this was. She’d called it a date herself.
The library had been easy enough to write off as nothing more than a study date. She’d even been able to overlook the way he sat beside her instead of across the table, and leaned into her every time he explained anything. There was something about Mason, something so warm and friendly that she could tolerate his nearness better than most, but each time he brushed against her arm, she’d had to fight the urge to run screaming for the door.
Even the movies she could handle. Friends went to the movies together all the time. But this . . . There was no denying this. This was a date date. Of the romantic variety. A first for Em. And suddenly her heart was tap dancing against her ribs. Dark spots floated in her vision, and she had to stop and, as Mason spoke with the maître d', steady herself against the wall to keep her legs from giving out entirely. This was ridiculous. It was just dinner, for crying out loud. Normal people did not have panic attacks over dinner. She could do this, and she was going to do it without looking like a fool, dammit.
Pasting on a smile, she allowed Mason to usher her to a table, but was unable to stop herself from shrugging away from the hand he placed on the small of her back. So much for normal. Mason didn’t seem to notice, though. He pulled out her chair and Em thought for a moment that she’d fallen into some kind of fairytale. Only it was someone else’s fairytale because her Prince Charming was nowhere to be found.
The thought struck hard and without mercy, causing her plastic smile to falter.
“Everything all right? You look a little . . . tense.”
“No. I’m fine. Guess my brain is fried from all that studying.”
“Did you want to go home after this? We could save the movie for another night if you’re tired.”
Yes. Yes, yes, yes! “No. I want to go.”
Normal, dammit, normal. Dinner and a movie was normal, and that is what she wanted. She’d never get there if she kept hiding.
“Great. Any idea what you want to see?”
Mason looked up what was showing on his cell while they waited for the food to arrive, and then read synopsis after synopsis to Em of movies she’d never heard of before as they ate, even going as far as to watch a few trailers, to the distaste of everyone around them A few looked interesting, but she wanted to make sure Mason enjoyed it, as well. After all, he was the one paying for it. So, in the end, she left the decision up to him. He chose the one she’d been most excited about. A romantic comedy. Not what she would have guessed as Mason’s first choice, and she wondered if he’d chosen it for her.
The meal was absolutely delicious and she could only assume cost a small fortune because the moment the waiter arrived with the check, Mason scooped it up, not even allowing her a glance.
“I could—”
“Not a chance, Em.” He flagged over a waiter and she couldn’t really argue because, in all honesty, she doubted she could even cover her half.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure. We better get going if we want popcorn before the movie.” His black credit card was returned and he slipped it into his wallet.