Fated

CHAPTER 11

MASON'S POV

I sat at the table waiting for Marco to arrive. The waitress asked if I needed anything and I ordered a shot of Jameson whiskey. “Actually make it a double,” I said after she’d turned away. She nodded her head in acknowledgement as she walked toward the bar.

“Hey. Fix your face,” the familiar voice said from behind me.

“Man, shut up! You can’t even see my face.” I chuckled as I stood up and hugged my friend. He'd just gotten back from a tour overseas. I hadn't seen him in two years and hadn't talked to him in about six months. “How's it feel to be home?”

Marco took a seat and replied, “Good. I'm adjusting.”

“You feeling -”

He held up his hand and stopped me. “Mason, we can talk about me later. We only come to Clinton's to celebrate or commiserate, so which one are we doing?”

I huffed at him rushing me.  Marco was a straight shooter and he liked to get straight to the point. “See the next time I show concern for you.”  He smirked and shook his head.

“Yeah, yeah, let's get to the dirty, dirty!”

The waitress came back with my drink and Marco ordered a rum and coke. I told him about everything that happened between me and Jasmine. He listened without interrupting. Once I'm done, he didn't say a word, he just looked at me. “Are you going to say anything?”

“So the woman you want, wants you, and you left her?”

“I mean, when you say it like that…”

Marco raised one eyebrow and took a drink. “What other way is there to say it?”

“What about Lance?” I asked.

“What about Lance!? Who cares about him? Surely, Jasmine doesn't or she wouldn't have kissed you back. Things can't be that serious.”

I thought about what Marco was saying. “I caught them together.”

Marco rubbed his chin and sighed. “And didn't actually see anything. You're making the assumption they've slept together. There's many a way to make a woman moan without using your penis.” Marco was right. I had assumed they'd slept together. I mean, if I was Lance I'd be trying to slide in there as soon as possible. IF I was him.

“So, what do I do?”

“Uh...man up and talk to her,” he said as he laughed at my expense, “Y'all are great friends. Have the conversation. It'll only help because you'll both be on the same page.”

I laid my head on the table and groaned, “Why did I have to see her naked?!”

“This was your first time? In 15 years?” I nodded in reply. “Hmm...how was it?” he asked with a stupid grin on his face, wiggling his eyebrows. I knew he was joking with the question.

I smiled wide and said, “Definitely life-changing since we're having this conversation.” He slapped my arm and laughed. We spent another hour at the bar drinking and catching up. I was ready to shut my brain off and sleep. I drove home and thought about everything that had happened with Jasmine, how I felt about her, and tried to decide if I wanted to take it further. As I sat on my bed, I made up my mind and pulled out my phone.

***

JASMINE'S POV

It had been two days since Mason kissed me senseless, breathless, and any other "less" you could think of! I tried reaching out to him but the only reply I got was that he was swamped with work and would see me at the airport. I called my mom yesterday morning to tell her what happened. I needed some wisdom.