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“My three favorite people!” he says. “Happy New Year!”
I roll my eyes and grunt. He is definitelynotone of my favorite people right now. “Hello, brother.”
“Are y’all taking down the tree and eating black-eyed peas without me?”
“Of course. You know I’m a creature of habit,” Mom says with a chuckle.
“How was your last date, Chels?” John asks. “I didn’t get an update.”
“Because I didn’t want to talk to you. Still don’t,” I mutter.
In order to put a damper on my rage, I touch my new necklace. Mason gave it to me this morning—my real Christmas present, apparently. Just from him. It’s a pink sapphire on a delicate silver chain. I didn’t even know sapphires came in pink. But it’s perfect—not just because I love the necklace, but because it’s from Mason.
It also makes me feel like I need to buy him something other than socks.
Mason clears his throat. “Her last date was fantastic.”
I give him a look. He gives me one right back. And then I realize-l that technically, I never went on a date with Damon. My last date was with Mason.
I grin and nod.
“Yeah?” John sounds surprised, but like he’s trying not to. “That’s … cool. So, um, you’re going to see him again?”
“Already did,” I say. “And I think you were right, John. Heisthe one.”
I feel Mason shaking, and I realize he’s laughing.
Mom’s even smiling. “I’ve met him,” she says, “and I have to say, I approve. Highly approve.”
Go, Mom!I hold up a hand for a long-distance high five and she does the same.
“You do?” John is done trying to hide his shock and instead, sounds alarmed. “I—that’s … wow. Okay. I did not expect this.”
“You didn’t?” I ask innocently. “But I thought you planned this out so I’d find the right guy. Theperfectguy. And I have.”
I exchange a glance with Mason, who absolutelyisthe perfect guy. One I didn’t need help from my brother to find. More like I just needed my brother to leave well enough alone.
“Let me get this straight,” John says, sounding a little louder and a lot more agitated. “Mason, you met and approve of this guy?”
Mason shifts, turning me a little on his lap as he leans toward the phone. “Iamthe guy. Her last date was with me.”
There’s silence on the line. Mom, Mason, and I grin at each other. I can’t remember the last time I got my brother this good. It’s amazing.
“Are you serious?” John asks.
“Deadly,” I say.
John laughs. “It’s about time,” he says. “And also—you’re welcome.”
“You expect athanks?” I ask. “After I survived an otter-loving fascist, a guy who pushed me into a fountain while checking out another woman, and a man making documentaries about the impact of taco trucks on people’s bowels?”
I’m aware my voice is starting to pitch high enough to shatter glass. Mom reaches over and pulls the phone closer to her, as though she fears I might take out my growing rage on it rather than the persononthe phone.
She might be right.
“You both needed a push,” John says. “I pushed. Second, I set you up on the worst possible dates, Chels. I figured they’d have no chance of success, and they might make Mason jealous enough to actuallydosomething.”
Mason’s eyes flash as he gives the phone a withering look. “You knew I liked your sister, and you didn’t say anything? You literally told me not to make a move on her.”
