When she didn’t give him the boot, he continued. “I remembered you were getting back yesterday, so I thought I’d take a chance. May I sit for a minute?”
Despite everything she knew about him, something about Mason garnered her empathy. Maybe it was his fierce loyalty to his mother, or his own disappointment over his divorce, or the fact that today he looked dejected. Or maybe her current “baby brain” had chased away whatever animosity she’d harbored the other week.
Of all the ways she could look at things, one inescapable fact existed. Mason would be her baby’s uncle, for better or worse. Maybe he and Trip didn’t see it yet, but Kelsey knew blood mattered. Family mattered. She’d always been optimistic about the power of love. So if, by some miracle, she might be able to broker peace in the Cutler family, by God she would try.
“You look better than I would’ve expected. I’m glad Trip didn’t cause any permanent damage.” She gestured toward the chairs on the other side of her desk. “So, what can I do for you today?”
“Accept my apology.” He flashed a hopeful grin before sitting back and flicking nonexistent lint from his slacks. “I’m sorry I wasn’t completely aboveboard with you when we met. I promise, I didn’t intend to hurt or embarrass you.”
“But you did.”
“And I regret it. As I tried to explain before, I knew you had some kind of relationship with Gunner, but needling him wasn’t my sole interest once I actually met you. I’m going through a divorce and am lonely living in a town with no friends. You’re quite pretty, and I admire your ambition and directness. I’d thought offering you an alternative—someone mature and stable—might’ve been what you wanted, too.”
His expression and tone sounded earnest, but given his long history of trying to outwit Trip, she had a hard time believing him. “Thank you for the apology. You’ll understand if I need a little time to accept your sincerity.”
“Of course.” He edged forward in his seat, staring directly at her. “Now that everything is out in the open, perhaps in time you’ll let me start over?”
Kelsey cocked her head. “You haven’t spoken with Trip this morning, have you?”
“No.” Mason’s shoulders stiffened. “Why?”
If the brothers had ever been close, she’d have told Mason to ask Trip. Under the circumstances, however, she decided it might be better he hear it from her. “I’m pregnant.”
“Oh.” His brows rose high on his forehead. “How long have you known?”
“Figured it out in Mexico. I told Trip last night. He and I are going to raise this child together, so while I’m not holding a grudge, I think you realize we can’t be more than friends. Even that will be difficult unless you work things out with your brother.”
Mason blinked, and, for a second, she saw the passing resemblance between him and Trip. How had she missed it before?
Shrugging, he admitted, “Of course, you’re right.”
He appeared a bit dazed before he finally rose from the chair. “Congratulations, Kelsey. I hope you’ll be happy, and I hope my brother is up to the task of parenthood.”
“You don’t give him enough credit, Mason. I offered him the out, but he insisted not only on being involved with our child, but also with me.”
“He hasn’t shown much use for family or relationships these past ten years, so you’ll forgive me for my doubts.”
“Mason, do me a favor.” She stood up to meet him eye to eye. “Remember that this baby is your blood, too. Kids need tons of love, and I want my child to have a good relationship with both sides of his or her family.” Kelsey kept talking, even after Mason stared at the ground. “Maybe I’m crossing a line here, and I know I don’t have the whole story, but whatever your dad did, and however your family changed after Trip’s arrival, it wasn’t Trip’s fault he was born. Just like this baby is coming into the world innocent. Maybe it’s time for peace?”
Mason’s flushed cheeks warned Kelsey that he didn’t see it her way, nor did he appreciate her point of view.
“This is a subject I suggest you steer clear of, Kelsey. I came to apologize, and don’t want to argue or defend myself anymore.”
“Mason, he’s your brother. Doesn’t that mean anything to you at all? Aren’t you even a little curious about what could happen if you two stopped fighting and tried to be friends?”