Chapter 37
Theo and Daphne
Daphne moved around her apartment with a practiced ease, fluffing the extra pillows on the pullout couch while her mother, Molly, stacked folded blankets at the foot of the bed. Her father, Bill, was busy inspecting the small shelf of books and knickknacks by the window, a fond smile on his face as he commented on the miniature plant collection that Daphne had meticulously nurtured.
"This one's a keeper," he said, pointing at a fern in a bright yellow pot. "Looks like it's thriving."
Daphne chuckled as she turned off the overhead light, letting the soft glow of a floor lamp create a cozy ambiance. "You've said that about the last five plants, Dad."
"Well, they all look like they're thriving," he teased, patting her shoulder.
"Alright, everything's set," Molly announced, brushing her hands together. "We're not taking your bed, Daphne. This couch will do just fine."
"Mom, it folds out. It's practically a bed," Daphne replied, crossing her arms with a mock sternness. "I will be very comfortable here."
"Are you sure?" Molly asked.
"Yes, yes, yes," Daphne laughed. "Please take the bed. And I'm also stepping out with Theo so I will be late. I don't want to wake you guys up when I come back.
"You're such a good hostess," Molly said, opening her arms and pulling Daphne into a hug. "Your dad and I are lucky."
"Yeah, yeah," Daphne said lightly, though her cheeks warmed. She kissed her mother's cheek and squeezed her father's hand. "Goodnight, guys. Let me know if you need anything."
"Goodnight, sweet pea," Bill said as Molly echoed the sentiment.
Daphne waited until her parents disappeared into her bedroom to grab her coat and dash out of the apartment. The cool night air greeted her as she stepped onto the quiet street, her eyes landing on Theo leaning against his car. As she approached, he smiled and opened the passenger door
"What are we doing?," Daphne asked as Theo slid into the driver's seat and started the engine.
Theo shot her a quick grin. "Figured you might need a little reward for all that hostessing."
"I like rewards," Daphne laughed. "What's it going to be?"
"You like ice cream, right?" Theo smiled.
"Ice cream is your idea of a reward?" Daphne shook her head. "Where are we going to find ice cream at this time? Plus everything is closed for Thanksgiving."
"I'm sure something is open," Theo said.
Daphne raised a skeptical eyebrow as she fastened her seatbelt. "What's your plan if we strike out?"
Theo glanced at her with an exaggerated look of offense. "Do you have so little faith in me? I'm wounded."
She laughed, the sound light and genuine. "I just know how stubborn you are. If there's no ice cream, I'll probably end up eating frozen peas in the back of your car while you insist it's the same thing."
"Frozen peas?" Theo scoffed. "Do I look like a man who doesn't know how to properly spoil his girlfriend?"
Daphne smirked, leaning back into the seat as they pulled away from her apartment. The city was quiet, the streets nearly empty save for the occasional car or flicker of holiday lights strung along porches and storefronts. The soft hum of the heater filled the silence between them, punctuated by the faint sound of Theo drumming his fingers on the steering wheel.
Eventually, they pulled into the parking lot of a cozy diner that glowed warmly in the otherwise dark night. A neon sign in the window promised "Open 24 Hours," and the thought of finding a place so alive amidst the holiday quiet made Daphne's grin widen.
"Impressed?" Theo asked, cutting the engine.
"Maybe," she admitted, tilting her head with a playful smile. "Let's see if their ice cream holds up."
Theo laughed as he exited the car and walked around to help Daphne. Hand in hand, they walked up to the dinner and stepped inside.
The diner was bustling enough to feel lively but still intimate, filled with the faint hum of conversation and the clinking of silverware. Daphne and Theo slid into a booth near the window, and the waitress, a cheery older woman with a festive turkey pin, approached with menus.
"Happy Thanksgiving, folks. What can I get you?"
"Two ice cream sundaes, please" Theo said. "And extra whipped cream for her."
Daphne rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a laugh. "Make that one sundae with extra whipped cream. He's assuming a little too much."
The waitress chuckled and scribbled down their order. As she walked away, Theo turned to Daphne, his eyes sparkling. "You didn't put up this much of a fight being pampered when you were pretending to be my girlfriend."
Daphne arched an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. "I had to make it convincing. You, on the other hand, seem to think you're entitled to boss me around for free."
Theo leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "I don't boss you around. I spoil you. There's a difference."
"Oh, is that what we're calling it?" Daphne quipped, her voice light with mock skepticism. "You know, not everyone finds unsolicited whipped cream orders a form of spoiling."
Theo chuckled, his grin widening. "You didn't exactly say no."
"Only because I'm too polite to crush your fragile ego in public," she shot back, her tone playful but her eyes warm.
Theo threw his head back and laughed. But before he could respond, the waitress returned with their sundaes, setting down a generously topped creation in front of Daphne. The mountain of whipped cream nearly dwarfed the ice cream itself. She stared at it, her eyes widening.
"See?" Theo said, gesturing grandly at the dessert. "That's how you do Thanksgiving right."
Daphne picked up her spoon, giving him a sidelong glance. "This is scary."
Theo laughed, grabbing his own spoon and stealing a dollop of whipped cream off her sundae before she could react.
"Please, help yourself." Daphne said, her eyes still wide and shocked at the size of the dessert.
"You will like it," Theo said. "Give it a taste."
Daphne hesitated, eyeing the towering sundae as if it were a challenge she wasn't entirely sure she wanted to accept. "I don't know about this."
"Come on, sunshine," Theo sat up. "First bite is all yours."
Daphne shook her head.
"I'll buy you something shiny."
Daphne narrowed her eyes at Theo, a small smile playing at her lips. "You're trying to bribe me with something shiny?"
Theo shrugged, his grin widening. "A pair of matching earrings would look really nice with that bracelet."
Daphne shook her head. She laughed softly before letting out a small sigh. After a few seconds, she finally scooped a small spoonful of the sundae, laden with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and a bit of the cherry. She paused, inspecting it like a food critic, before cautiously placing it in her mouth.
"It's... not bad," she admitted, licking her lips.
Theo's grin softened, something warm flickering in his expression as he watched her. "Not bad? I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said about food."
Daphne rolled her eyes but took another bite, this time with less hesitation. Theo reached over and grabbed a spoonful for himself, contentedly leaning back in the booth.
"You're actually eating," he said, his tone almost casual, but his eyes betrayed a quiet sense of relief.
"Yes, why?" Daphne asked, arching a brow.
"Just... nice to see," Theo replied, his voice softer now. "That's all."
Daphne studied him for a moment, as if trying to decode his meaning. She watched him enjoy the ice cream like a child. The seconds stretched as their spoons danced along with one another and they laughed, fighting each other for the cherry or the chocolate chips.
After a few shared bites, Daphne glanced up at Theo. "Why do you call me sunshine?"
Theo chuckled softly, setting his spoon down and sucked the bit of chcolate sauce off his thumb. When he looked up at her again, Daphne quickly lowered her eyes as if she didn't wish she was the chocolate or the thumb.
"Because it suits you," Theo said. "And because that's what my dad calls my mom. It feels natural."
Daphne tilted her head, curiosity glinting in her eyes. "How does it suit me?"
"You smile," Theo smiled, reaching across the table and taking her hand. "It's like sunlight breaking through clouds. Brightens everything up. Even when you don't mean to."
Daphne's cheeks flushed, and she tried to hide it by taking another bite of the sundae. "You're sweet," she said.
"I mean it," Theo smirked, his eyes warm as they lingered on her.
"I can't have any more of this," Daphne scrunched up her nose as she gently pushed the sundae toward him.
"I'm happy with what I can get," Theo sighed.
Daphne sat her spoon down and folded her hands on the table. Her smile widened as she watched Theo finish the mountain of ice cream.
"Done?" She asked, handing him a napkin.
"That was so good," Theo said. "I could go for another one."
"I think I'll be sick if I watch you eat another one," Daphne shook her head. "I'm ready to go."
"Go where?" the corner of Theo's lips curved up as he sat back lazily. His eyes watched Daphne as his fingers tapped the spoon she had sat down.
"Home," Daphne said. "It's late."
Theo nodded slowly, the small smile still playing at his lips. He ordered the check and tiped the waitress generously before taking Daphne's hand and walking out of the diner.
"It's really nice out," Daphne sighed, tilting her head back to look up at the night sky.
"What?" Theo asked, seeing the frown cross her face.
"No stars," Daphne lowered her head. "My dad took us camping once when I was much younger. I remember seeing so many stars in the sky. They were huge and they filled the darkness like little Christmas lights. And it was a full moon too. Sometimes I wonder if I remember that night incorrectly."
"Why?"
"Because," Daphne shrugged. "Now it feels like it was just part of being a child and thinking everything was bigger then what it seemed."
"Del Mare has stars," Theo said.
"That's where your family's from in Italy, right?"
Theo nodded, "Yeah."
"Do you go back often?"
"Every summer," Theo smiled. "We have a lot of family friends there and it makes my mom really happy to be there with all of us."
"That sounds nice," Daphne said, her eyes swimming with sincerity.
"You will love it there," Theo nudged her closer. "The beaches are beautiful and the ice cream is top tier."
"Of course, the ice cream," Daphne rolled her eyes despite how her heart fluttered when she realzied Theo was planning months in advance already with her. Her words pushed a laugh out of Thei as he shook his head and held the passenger door open for her. Daphne settled into the seat and strapped on her seatbelt.
"Evie always said she wanted to have her wedding in Del Mare at my parent's island," Theo commented, climbing into the driver's seat. "But I guess her plans shifted to New York now."
"Your parents have an island?" Daphne's eyes widened in disbelief. "Holy crap."
"Yeah," Theo's smile spread, seeing the shock on Daphne's face. "Juliet Cay."
"That's the level of rich I aspire to be," Daphne nodded.
"It was gift for my mom," Theo spun the steering wheel and reversed out of the parking spot. "Apparently, my dad had made a really huge mistake and he wanted to win her back with a grand gesture."
"Correction," Daphne laughed. "That's the type of man I aspire to marry."
Theo laughed harder, "You have your priorities all messed up."
"Sometimes men marry just to have a beautiful wife," Daphne said. "No one calls them names or judges them. But if a woman marries for wealth and stability, she's a gold digger."
"So you will marry for wealth and stability?" Theo asked, looking over at her with a peculiar look in his eyes.
"Well, he can't be a complete asshole or have one leg in the grave already," Daphne said. "We have to be compatible. And there needs to be spark. And his world needs to end and start with me."
"How can you sit here and talk about another man in front of me?" Theo teased.
Daphne felt herself blush in the dark. She sank farther into her seat as she shrugged.
Does have to be another man, she thought to herself.
"You have the potential to be a rich man, Sunshine," Theo said. "You just ran away at the first sight of trouble."
"I don't regret my decision," Daphne shook her head. "I am very happy with my life right now. Extremely happy to be exact."
"Don't forget you're reporting for work after this long weekend," Theo reminded her. "Your official onboarding starts."
Daphne groaned, "I forgot.....I'm a corporate girlie again. Thanks a lot!"
"You're very welcome," Theo's gaze flickered toward her as he reached over and pinched her cheek. "I'm excited to see you at work everyday."
Daphne grinned, taking his hand and pressing a warm kiss upon it, "Me too. That's the only good part."
"I had Brad clear out the room next to mine," Theo continued. "Your office will be right next to mine. I want to be able to see you when I look up from my screen.
"My god," Daphne pressed a hand to her chest dramatically. "Are you obsessed with me, Theodore?"
"Yes," Theo smiled, looking over at her. "Yes, I am."
His words did strange things to Daphne's heart. The thing fluttered like a bird, doing flips in the air and shooting for the stars. She couldn't stop smiling as they drove closer and closer to her apartment.
The night had grown old and the streets were silent. The window howled and danced with the naked trees. Theo brought the car to a stop in front of her building and killed the engine. He leaned his head back and sighed, looking over at Daphne as she unbuckled her seatbelt.
"Good night," he said quietly.
"Good night," Daphne leaned in, grazing her lips over his. The feathery touch was swallowed by the heat that shot through her body as Theo leaned in and deepened the kiss. His hand reached up and touched the edge of her face, his fingers moving to her chin to hold her in place as he devoured her. His mouth moved as if he couldn't have enough, pulling her closer and drawing out the kiss.
Daphne giggled, running out of air, as she kissed him back. Her hands moved to his chest and she gently nudged him back.
"Theo," she whined with a laugh.
"What?" Theo grinned innocently and pulled back.
"Nothing," Daphne shook her head. She looked up at him through her lashes and bot down on her lips. "I'll come to Aspen."
Surpirse and glee flickered across Theo's hazel eyes. The grin on his lips spread as he scanned Daphne's face. "Yeah?"
Daphne nodded, "Yes."
"What changed your mind?" Theo asked, holding her so close he could feel her warm breath on him.
"You," Daphne spoke, her voice soft and quiet inside the darkness of the car. "Thank you for being so thoughtful and bringing my parents here."
"You're welcome," Theo dipped his head and kissed her cheek. "But you don't have to come to Aspen if you think you owe me or something. I didn't bring your parents here with any kind of expectation."
"I want to come," Daphne said. "You've ruined me too. I don't know how to miss you."
Theo responded by leaning forward and kissing her once more. Daphne could feel the smile on his face as he grabbed her elbow and tugged him toward himself. She didn't protest as he pulled her onto his lap and leaned his seat back. In the confinement of the car, her knees planted themselves on either sides of his hips. Theo's hands moved to her perfect round bottom, supporting her as she leaned into him, kissing him back just as he kissed her.
The world outside the car seemed to fade as Theo's lips claimed Daphne's with a passion that made her forget to breathe. His hands settled firmly on her hips, grounding her against him as he tilted his head to deepen the kiss. The warmth of his mouth, the taste of himâsoft, minty, and utterly Theoâmade her pulse race.
Daphne's fingers threaded through his hair, her nails lightly grazing his scalp, earning a low, satisfied hum from him. The sound sent shivers down her spine. Theo's touch was everywhereâpossessive but tender, his hands sliding over her curves as if memorizing her shape. He pulled her even closer, his broad chest rising and falling beneath her as if he couldn't get enough of her.
She kissed him back with equal fervor, pouring all the emotions she couldn't put into words into the connection. Her lips parted, and he responded instantly, their tongues brushing in an electric sensation that made the small space around them feel infinite.
Theo's hand slid to the small of her back, pressing her flush against him. He broke the kiss just enough to whisper, his breath hot against her lips, "Come home with me."
Daphne's chest heaved as she gazed down at him, his eyes darkened. Without thinking, she leaned back in, capturing his lips again, her hands cradling his face. Theo's grip tightened on her, and he shifted beneath her, his head leaning back against the seat as if surrendering completely to the moment.
The car's interior felt like its own universeâwarm, intimate, and pulsing with the energy between them. When they finally broke apart, breathless and flushed, Daphne's forehead rested against Theo's. His fingers brushed her cheek, and he gave her that signature crooked grin that made her heart stutter.
"I can't," Daphne shook her head. "I have to pack for Aspen."
"Forget packing," Theo said. "I'll buy you everything you need when we get there."
"My parents are upstairs," Daphne reminded him. "I want to see them in the morning."
"Daphne," Theo sighed and chuckled to himself, "You're killing me."
"Just a little longer," Daphne promised.
Theo groaned as he covered his eyes with his hand and laughed.
________________________________
Mason
Unlike his brother who was an early bird, Mason was a night owl. He believed there were many advantages of burning the midnight lamp or whatever they said.
One of those advantages presented itself in the form of Wendy, padding softly across the living room well past midnight. Mason's eyes flicked up from his laptop, his curiosity piqued as he watched her silhouette drift by. She moved unhurriedly, her fingertips brushing the edges of picture frames lining the hall, her head tilting slightly as if she were reading the stories behind the photos. Something about the way she movedâquiet, almost dreamlikeâdrew Mason in.
Abandoning his laptop on the couch, he rose to his feet without a second thought, his steps light as he followed her down the hallway. The faint glow of a nearby lamp illuminated her path, casting her in soft, golden hues. She wandered into Luca's art studio, and Mason hung back for a moment, leaning against the doorway.
Inside, Wendy stood in the middle of the room, completely still. The dim light from a single lamp spilled across her figure, highlighting the oversized T-shirt that skimmed just below her hips. Mason's eyes lingered, tracing the elegant curve of her bare legs, one firmly planted on the wooden floor, the other raised slightly on its toes. The shirt shifted subtly as she moved, teasing glimpses of her skin. Mason dragged his gaze upward, taking in the slope of her shoulders, the fall of her loose hair, the delicate way she seemed to fit into the space as if she belonged there.
He cleared his throat, the sound startling in the quiet.
"Jesus Christ," Wendy gasped, jumping in fright as she whirled around. Her wide eyes locked on Mason, who stood casually in the doorway, his hands stuffed into his pockets as if he hadn't just been caught admiring her.
"Sorry," Mason said, the corner of his mouth tugging into a lazy smile. "Didn't mean to scare you."
"Do you ever mean to do anything?" Wendy shot back, crossing her arms over her chest. The defensive movement only made Mason more aware of her lack of a bra, though he was careful to keep his expression neutral.
"Probably not," Mason admitted, his grin widening. He stepped inside, his gaze sweeping the room with practiced ease, as if to give her some space. "But I do have a knack for showing up at the right time, don't I?"
Wendy huffed, clearly unimpressed, though the hint of a smile tugged at her lips. "You've got quite the track record, I'll give you that. First the Legos, then the flowers, then the drink, and now this. Do you just enjoy being annoying, or is it a special skill?"
"Definitely a skill," Mason quipped, leaning slightly against the wall as his eyes met hers, playful and unrepentant. "I work hard at it everyday."
"Your family must be so proud."
"Ecstatic," Mason replied without missing a beat, his grin spreading. "But enough about me. Why are you up this late? Can't sleep?"
"No, I was staking out the place to plan my burglary," Wendy deadpanned, her expression serious enough to rival an Oscar-worthy performance.
Mason chuckled, clearly enjoying the banter. "Smart move. If you're looking for my mom's jewelry, it's in the safe inside her closet. You can't miss itâit's a big black box."
"And the money?" Wendy arched a brow, her tone matching his playful sarcasm.
"Swiss bank accounts," Mason said with a dramatic shrug, his grin widening. "All overseas. Very inconvenient, I know."
"What about the antiques?" Wendy asked, her eyes drifting toward the center of the room. She gestured toward a canvas propped up on an easel. "How much is that painting worth?"
Mason followed her gaze to the unfinished artwork. The brushstrokes were bold yet deliberate, the colors rich and layered. He hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering. "Not much, I'm afraid," he said finally, a hint of self-deprecation creeping into his tone. "I'm still working on it."
"You painted that?" Wendy asked, her voice tinged with genuine surprise. Her gaze lingered on the canvas, her expression softening as curiosity flickered in her eyes. "You paint?"
"Yeah," Mason said with a nonchalant shrug, as though it was no big deal. He shifted under her gaze, suddenly feeling exposed in a way he hadn't anticipated. "Why do you sound so surprised?"
Wendy turned back to him, her lips curving into a faint smile. "You don't seem like the type," she said matter-of-factly. Her eyes swept over him, taking in his relaxed stance, the mischievous smirk, the sharpness of his wit. "A painter is not the vibe you give off."
"And what vibe do I give off?" Mason asked, his tone curious but still laced with that signature playfulness.
Wendy tilted her head, as if considering her answer. "Troublemaker," she said finally. "Definitely not tortured artist."
Mason chuckled. He bit his bottom lip and peered at the girl as if studying her. His gaze moved up her frame once more and when he met her gaze, Wendy raised her brow.
"You like Drum Heads?" He asked, gesturing to her t-shit.
"No."
"Really?" Mason teased, knowing she was lying. "I was going to say you really don't give off that vibe."
"You can't use my line," Wendy frowned. "Be original. What's next? You're going to tell me I'm different and not like other girls?"
Mason laughed, the sound low and genuinel, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp.
"Nah, I think you already know you're not like other girls," he said, the corner of his mouth quirking up in a smirk. "No need for me to state the obvious."
Wendy rolled her eyes, crossing her arms again. "Wow. So smooth. How do you come up with these lines?"
"It's a gift," Mason said. His smirk deepened as he tilted his head. "Seriously, though. If you don't like Drum Heads, what's the story behind the shirt?"
Wendy shrugged, clearly uninterested in indulging him. "It's just a shirt. I found it in a thrift shop."
"Ah, the mysterious thrift shop origin story," Mason said, nodding sagely. "Adds to your whole enigma vibe."
"Enigma vibe?" Wendy scoffed. "You're really reaching now."
"Not reachingâobserving," Mason countered, his eyes narrowing slightly as if scrutinizing her. "You like to keep things close to the vest, don't you? Makes me wonder what you're hiding."
"Nothing worth knowing," Wendy replied with a shrug, her tone light but her posture stiffening slightly.
"See, that right there," Mason said, pointing at her with a grin. "That's the kind of thing someone says when they're hiding something very interesting."
Wendy rolled her eyes again, turning away from him as if to dismiss the conversation entirely. "Maybe I just don't feel like spilling my life story to some guy who thinks he's charming."
"Thinks?" Mason repeated, feigning offense. He moved to stand beside her, leaning slightly to catch her gaze. "Come on, it's late, you're clearly not here to paint. So what gives? What's keeping you up? Contemplating life's great mysteries?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," Wendy replied, her tone dry as she walked past him toward the bookshelf on the far wall.
"Yeah, I would," Mason said simply. "Why not? You seem like the kind of person worth knowing."
Wendy paused, her back to him, and for a moment, the room fell quiet except for the faint hum of the night. When she finally turned back to face him, her expression was guarded but curious. "Why do you care?"
Mason shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Maybe I'm bored. Maybe I like a challenge. Or maybeâ" He took a step closer, his eyes locking with hers. "âI just think there's more to you than you let on. And I'm curious."
"Curiosity killed the cat," Wendy said, though her voice lacked its usual bite.
"But satisfaction brought it back," Mason countered, his grin reappearing. "So what do you say? Satisfy my curiosity, Sunshine."
Wendy snorted at the nickname, shaking her head as she turned back to the bookshelf. "Sunshine? I heard both your brother and dad using it. Come up with something better."
"Give me just one thing," Mason rolled his eyes, his tone light but his gaze lingering on her, unwavering. "Something small. Your favorite movie, your dream vacation,your phone number."
Wendy smirked, her fingers brushing over the spines of the books as she tilted her head slightly in mock consideration. "My favorite movie; I don't watch them. Dream vacation; anywhere you're not. Phone number?" She turned to face him fully, arching a brow. "Definitely unlisted."
Mason let out a low laugh, shaking his head. "So that's how it's going to be?"
"That's how it is," Wendy replied, crossing her arms as she leaned back against the bookshelf. Her lips twitched, betraying the amusement she was trying to suppress. "You wanted a challenge, remember? Congratulations. You've got one."
Mason stepped closer, closing some of the space between them, though he kept his posture easy, his hands still resting casually in his pockets. "You think you're the first person to try and throw me off, Sunshine?"
"There you go again," Wendy said, holding up a hand as if to stop him. "Sunshine doesn't suit me. Try harder."
"Fine," Mason said, his grin widening as he pretended to think hard. "How about Firecracker? Fits the whole 'tiny but explosive' thing you've got going on."
Wendy laughed despite herself, the sound soft and unguarded, catching them both off guard. She quickly pressed her lips together, but Mason caught the flicker of warmth in her expression.
"See?" he said, his tone turning smug. "I am charming."
"Don't push it," Wendy shot back, though her voice lacked its usual edge.
Mason took a step back, giving her some space but keeping his eyes on her. "Alright, Firecracker," he said, his voice quieter now, less playful. "Let's make a deal. You tell me one real thing about yourself, and I'll leave you alone for the rest of the night. Scout's honor."
Wendy raised a skeptical brow. "You were never a Scout."
"True," Mason admitted with a shrug. "But I do keep my promises."
For a moment, Wendy studied him, her gaze searching his face as if trying to decide whether he was serious. Finally, she let out a slow breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Fine. One thing. But if I tell you, you better keep your word."
"Deal," Mason said, holding up his hand as if swearing an oath.
Wendy hesitated, glancing down at her feet before meeting his gaze again. "I...hate the sound of thunderstorms," she said quietly, her voice losing its usual bravado. "Always have. Even when I was little."
Mason tilted his head, his expression softening. "Really? Thunderstorms, huh? Didn't peg you for someone who'd let a little rain and noise get to her."
"It's not the rain," Wendy clarified, her tone sharper now, as if to cover the vulnerability she'd just revealed. "It's the noise. The suddenness of it."
Mason nodded, as if filing the information away. "Noted. No jokes about thunderstorms."
"Good," Wendy said, turning back toward the bookshelf, though her posture was slightly less guarded now.
Mason lingered for a moment before stepping back toward the doorway. "Alright. You win this round. But don't think I'm not coming back for more."
Wendy didn't look at him, but the faintest smile played at her lips as he walked away, leaving her alone in the quiet of the studio.