page39 (1/2)

“Of course we can I was thinking the saood man, you know that?”

Mason shrugs self-consciously “I just knohat it’s like to be sleep deprived It’s hard enough when you’re getting paid to work ridiculous hours”

“You’re still a goodI won’t be able to stop if I go for his lips, but needing to kiss him one last time “See you tomorrow”

“I’ll pick you up at noon,” Mason says, brushingdeliciously at the back of my neck “I can’t wait to spend another day with you”

“Me, too” My breath rushes out “But now you have to leave, before I forget how ood sister”

He grins “All right Good night”

“Good night” I lean against the doorfra him walk away It doesn’t ht back to me as soon as he can

Chapter 18

Lark

Moest bedroouest roo their old furniture around to fit Felicity’s crib and changing table in the corner behind a wicker screen The screen gives Aria the illusion of privacy and keeps Felicity fro able to see herwith Aria hts, after she wakes up to have herup such a fuss Aria worries it ake the rest of the house

So when I knock softly on the half-open door before pushing it in, I’ on top of her bed fully clothed with an arm thrown over her face and Felicity asleep in a si-size bed

“Aria,” I whisper “Are you awake?”

Aria doesn’t move a muscle, but whispers, “Yes”

“Can I talk to you?” I ask, tip-toeing into the room

Aria breathes slowly in and back out “About what?”

“You knohat Put Felicity in her bed and come downstairs Let me make you a cup of cocoa”

“How about a shot of whiskey, instead?” Aria asks, still nother eyes