Page 25 of Coastal Rewind

When she got to me, she tackled me in a hug. Maeve ran over next and joined her, the two giggling as they squeezed me so tightly, I was gasping for air. For some reason, the gesture made tears well in my eyes. Maybe some time with my family was just what I needed.

Rule #5: Live big, baby girl. Say yes to the adventure.

Aiden pulled his truck up to Mason’s house, and I suddenly felt on edge. I hadn’t had a roommate since I lived with my siblings in Connecticut. A few times I’d stay with friends for a few days, but nothing that was even remotely long term. This was new territory for me.

Aiden hopped out of his truck and lowered the bed just as the front door opened to Mason’s house. MJ came sprinting out with a half-eaten piece of watermelon in his hand.

“Hey, little man,” I said, picking up one of my suitcases.

“Look what Dad got us!” He held the watermelon out to me.

“Looks delicious.” I smiled.

Mason walked up to help Aiden take my bags out of the truck. “You can head inside. We’ll get these.” He gestured toward the front door.

I nodded and walked with MJ into my new, temporary home.

Twenty minutes later, my bags were loaded into the guest room and Aiden left. I was officially alone with the two new men in my life.

What do I do now?

Mason clapped, causing me to look up from my computer where it rested on my lap as I sat on the guest room bed.

“Anything specific you want for dinner?” he asked, leaning against the door frame.

I shook my head. “Oh no, you guys go about your normal routine. I can find something for myself.”

I was a guest here. I may have been living in their house to make everyone’s lives easier, but that didn’t mean I wanted to take over and disrupt their life. I’d be a fly on the wall as much as I possibly could be.

Mason shook his head. “If you’re living here, then you’re always included in meals. It’s the least I can do.”

My heart soared a little. This man was proving to be so kind. I wasn’t sure what the story was with MJ’s mom, and it was none of my business, but there was simply no way he was single.

Fuck, is he not single?

Did I just move into a man’s house where I’d have to witness another woman walking around in his shirt on Sunday mornings? The thought had not even crossed my mind. He had never mentioned a woman.

Why do I care?

“Anything is fine,” I blurted out, pushing down my intrusive thoughts.

“Great. It’ll be ready in about an hour.” He pushed off the door and sauntered back into the kitchen.

I let out a breath, glancing up casually to see the view of his ass as he walked away.

I was just a girl, okay? It wasn’t lost on me that I was living in a house with one of the hottest men in major league baseball. The house of a man who may or may not be single.

An hour later, MJ popped his head into my room to announce that dinner was ready. I closed my laptop and took his hand as he led me out to the set dining table. There was a baking dish in the middle of the table that smelled deliciously of tomatoes and garlic. I sat in the empty chair as Mason scooped three stuffed shells onto my plate and followed it with a vegetable medley.

“You made this?” I asked in surprise.

“I’m not just a pretty face.” He fucking winked at me.

He is such a pretty face, though.

“We’ll see, Superstar.” I cut the first shell with my fork and scooped it into my mouth, groaning as the tomato sauce and cheesy goodness burst on my taste buds.

Mason’s eyes flared but he said nothing as he cut into his own and began eating.