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It was true. Mason had always been honest with him, even if it was something Zeb didn’t want to hear. He couldn’t fault the man for that. Today it had felt like they were a couple, or was he reading too much into it? There was the way Mason hadn’t corrected anyone who had assumed they were a couple. It hadn’t just been Alison and Anders. There were other shop owners, who Mason knew personally, though Zeb was sure he said he didn’t come up here often.

“How come everyone knows you in this town?” asked Zeb.

“It’s that kind of place. When we come back here, everyone will remember you as well.”

“We’re going to come back here?” he asked, unable to keep the hope out of his voice.

“If you’d like to.”

He couldn’t stop his eyes watering. Mason wanted to bring Zeb back here? That had to mean something, didn’t it? Had everything he’d done today been leading to something?

Mason’s hands cupped his face and wiped away his tears.

“What’s happening right now?” asked Zeb, his voice barely audible.

“Sorry to interrupt a beautiful moment,” said Anders, putting a tray down. “Everything was going to get cold.”

Mason glared at him, causing Anders to laugh. He walked away, still laughing. Mason moved his hands away from Zeb’s face, looking irritated, but he still had a smile for Zeb.

“Let’s eat these and go back to the cabin so we can talk in private.”

“That doesn’t sound terrifying.”

“It’s a good thing, I promise.”

That reassured him. Mason had never lied to him. He pulled the grilled cheese toward him. It didn’t look overly fancy in the way Mason would have prepared it. He’d never known Mason to make one of these. Zeb bit into it and couldn’t stop the moan escaping from his mouth. It was one of the best things he’d ever tasted.

“You keep making noises like that, Zeb, and I won’t be able to wait until we’re back at the cabin.”

Mason winked at him and bit into his sandwich. Was this what Mason was like when he was away from the restaurant? Or was this just for Zeb? He was sure his heart had stopped for a second. Zeb wanted to inhale the grilled cheese and drag Mason back to the cabin now before he changed his mind. Zeb couldn’t stop his brain from imagining scenarios where he had misunderstood what Mason was saying. They were just going back to talk about the drive home tomorrow or something.

“What’s that brilliant brain of yours thinking about?” asked Mason.

“Huh? Whose brilliant brain?”

“Yours.”

“I’m hardly brilliant.”

“I beg to differ. You basically run Epicure, and you’re going to do a business degree.”

“How did you know that?”

“I’m always listening to you, Zeb. You should know that by now.”

Zeb wasn’t sure what to say to that. Mason was looking at him intensely, and Zeb’s entire body felt as if it were on fire. He wanted to jump across the booth and straddle Mason, not giving a shit that they’d have an audience.

“I need to take up smoking again after watching you two eye-fuck each other for the past ten minutes,” said Anders, appearing at their table.

“Did you want something?” asked Mason, not taking his eyes off Zeb.

“I figured you’d want to pay your check now, so you could leave.”

Mason didn’t even look at the check, just took his card out and passed it to Anders.

“If you get lost now, I’ll add a fifty percent tip.”

Zeb wasn’t sure what to say to that. His head was spinning. He hardly had time to process before the check was paid, they’d finished their food, barely touching their drinks, and Mason was practically dragging him out the door.