Page 68

“Ryder will be so proud of you! The guys have been sending him congratulatory messages about the two of you, and he hasn’t replied to anything. Hunter hasn’t had a message from Zeb for two days. They’re worried about him.”

“He’s fine; he’ll be back any minute for lunch.”

“You let him leave the cabin alone?”

“It’s Cherry Falls, not Alcatraz.”

“I’m more surprised you let him leave the bedroom.”

“I had to make some work calls, so he went to the shops.”

Sebastian said nothing.

“What? Your silence implies I’ve fucked up or something.”

“Nothing’s fucked up. Zeb loves you, and you love him. Anyone with eyes has seen that for two years, but he’s wanted you like this for a long time. He’s probably waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

“I’ve told him I’m all in.”

“Like those other guys told him?”

Mason said nothing. They’d had a wonderful few days together. Zeb had shared about the pain his family had caused and his time on the streets. If Zeb was upset about something, or having doubts about them, Mason would have seen it, wouldn’t he?

“Look, Mason. I can’t talk about the other guys, but I know what it’s like to be with Brandon. That man leaves a mark that never heals,” said Sebastian.

Mason swallowed and focused on his breathing. Sebastian Steele was a man who commanded respect in any room he walked into, without ever having to ask for it. He was a brilliant businessman without having to be ruthless, and had the biggest heart of anyone Mason knew. Sebastian had spent two years with Brandon when he was younger. Mason had only met him afterward, and hadn’t learned about his friend’s past until it all kicked off when Brandon was with Hunter.

“I can’t lose him now, Sebastian. I’ve waited so long. If the only way I could be with him was to walk away from Epicure, I’d do it.”

“Wow. I’m . . . I’m genuinely speechless.”

Mason let out a small laugh, but his eyes were stinging with tears.

“Right,” said Sebastian. “My brain has caught up. You know Zeb would never ask you to do that, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

“This isn’t about a grand gesture or anything like that. You just need to show him you’re not going to hurt him through your actions.”

“What the fuck, Sebastian? I would never hurt him. You know that.”

“Not intentionally. But do you know everything he’s been through?”

Mason knew he didn’t know it all. Zeb was holding some things back. But that was his choice. He didn’t have to talk about things that had caused him pain, and Mason would never expect him to.

“I don’t know what to do,” he said, feeling defeated, and he wasn’t sure why. His brain ran over the five days they’d been in Cherry Falls. The intimacy they’d shared, the love they had for each other. Had he pushed Zeb before he was ready?

“You’re a decisive man, Mason. Think about it.”

The realization hit him hard. “I need to go.”

“Knew you’d get there. Make sure he replies to Charlie, so I don’t get in trouble.”

They both laughed as the call ended. He needed to find Zeb and make sure he was okay. Mason couldn’t lose him now, but he’d prioritized the restaurant over him this morning. Even though he’d appeared fine with it, Mason must have missed something. As he was pulling his coat on, the door opened and Zeb walked in, a tentative smile on his face, and then he said the four words nobody liked to hear.

“We need to talk.”

Mason thought he was going to be sick. He reached for Zeb’s hands, and he let Mason hold them. Something instinctively told him he needed to let Zeb talk. Not rush him or react.