Chapter 4
The room stood, and applause echoed from around the tables.
Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Alexander Everett.
Champagne bottles popped at every table at the reception. Everyone appeared to be having a great time. Laughter and conversations moved like waves from one side of the room to the other as the bride and the groom made their rounds for photos and thank yous. It was early afternoon, but the shading on the windows created a feeling of early evening. After the meal had been served, Mason gathered everyone’s attention by tapping his spoon against the champagne glass he held high in his hand. The room grew silent.
“Three and a half years–”
“Four,” Keri eagerly corrected him.
“Four,” Mason clarified, looking down at her. “Four years, and they finally did it. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Mason Everett, Jacksons younger brother. Today is actually a good day, because after all these years, in front of every single one of you, Jackson is finally admitting that I am the best man.”
Laughter spread across the room.
“But the better man, in all honesty, without question is …him. Jackson and I…have been through a lot together. More than most, I would say,” he said, looking at Jackson. “And if it weren’t for you, I honestly wouldn’t be able to stand here today and tell you and everyone one else how proud I am to be your brother, and how honored I am to be your best man and share this day with you. Jackson led by example, and I followed close to almost everything ...almost.” He laughed, “I don’t see marriage for me in any part of my foreseeable future. So you are going to have to forgive me if I stretch out the eternal bachelorism a little longer.”
Jackson laughed, joining in with the guests.
“But seriously, it’s because of Jackson that I know the extent of caring for someone beyond a situation and circumstances. So to Keri, take care of my brother. There is only one of him. Treat him well and be to him what he needs, when, how, and in every position,” he joked. “To Jackson,” he said, raising his glass. “I love you man. Congratulations to the both of you.”
Clinking of raised glasses filled the room, and the day went on. Mason walked down from the head table, where he had been sitting with the bridal party, and headed to the bar. Walking in between the tables of friends and guests, he admired the turnout of so many people there smiling and laughing, sharing Jackson’s moment. They didn’t have a lot of family; in fact, the little they had could be summed up as one person. Even with her
especially with her
Mason kept his distance. At least he tried to for the most part. On days like today, it was nearly impossible. Piercing through the guests, both seated and standing, he heard his name being called. Hesitant at first, he wasn’t sure that it was his name he heard. By the third time, he knew exactly who it was. He turned around slowly, seeing her walking towards him.
“
Mom,”
he cordially greeted her.
Unknowingly, she was cautious in speaking and a bit standoffish. She had grown used to keeping her distance over the years, though, more so at the request of her son than her.
“Mason, you …you look real good, son. How are you?” She asked, her voice pleading for a response with every word.
He looked off, clearly agitated at just the sound of her voice.
“Thank you,” he forced out, but was decidedly short. “Look I’m glad you came, and I know
Jackson
appreciates it, but–”
“Mason, I was actually hoping we could maybe talk for a few minutes,” she cuts him off.
He laughed.
“About what?” he asked nonchalantly, but highly irritated. “Talk about what?
“About …things.”
“About things, huh,” he looked down at the ground scratching his head. “There’s nothing to talk about…I have nothing I honestly want to say to you.”
“Mason––”
He cut her off, “I’m going to respect the notion of Jackson inviting you and walk away without telling you how I
really
feel. But just so you know,” he shook his head, “him getting married doesn’t change one thing. And in no way should it have given you the idea that it would. Like I said, I have nothing to say to you.” He forced a smile. “But please, enjoy yourself, and don’t look so upset …
people are watching.”
He turned around and made his way to the bar.
“That looked like a pretty heated conversation…”
“You think?” He responded, still somewhat irritated.
He hadn’t recognized the voice and didn’t care to, until he looked up and noticed it was the woman who was sitting next to Reign at the ceremony. Suddenly his mood shifted, and finally the day was looking up again. It took only a few short moments and smiles and he was right back to his normal self, as if the conversation with his mother had never happened.
“What can I get you?” the bartender asked.
“Let me have a glass of Moscato,” he requested.
She laughed, easily forcing a smile to Masons face.
“Interesting choice…I wouldn’t pick you as a Moscato man.”
“I’m not. The drink is for you,” he said, sliding the glass towards her. “I’m Mason, by the way.”
He put his hand out to greet her, but she was hesitant to respond. He couldn’t tell if her reluctance was due to a lack of interest in him, or if it was just her way of flirting with him. She appeared to be weighing her options, doing so with a smile. Only a few seconds later she returned the gesture and shook his hand.
“I gathered that much,” she said without giving her name. “That was a very nice speech you gave earlier.”
“Thank you,” he said, leaning against the bar.
He signaled the bartender again to request a drink.
“So I haven’t seen you at any of our functions or get-togethers before. Are you a friend of the bride or the groom?” he asked.
“What makes you think I’m a friend of either?”
“Well, you’re
here,
for starters,” he mentioned, intrigued by her response. “Unless you’re just some extremely beautiful wedding crasher.”
She laughed.
“Besides,” he continued, “in our line of work, there aren’t too many of Jacksons friends I haven’t had the privilege of meeting. And
you
I would have definitely remembered, which means you must be a friend of the bride.”
“You don’t sound too enthused about that,” she laughed in wonder.
“To be honest I don’t much care for her but my brother does, which means I have to, and thus” he throws his hands up in front of him, “here I am, the best man.”
“Wow,” she said, shortening her sip of her drink. “Either you are extremely rude or blatantly honest.”
“I see no reason to lie,” he confidently responded.
She didn’t seem too bothered by that which, in a way, shocked him a little. Perhaps she was more interested than he thought. Perhaps this was about to go exactly as he was hoping. He nursed his drink, leaning next her, waiting for the right moment to seal the deal. He’d done this many times before and he knew exactly how to play the game. Talk them up at the bar, buy them a drink or two, and what follows from there.
Their house or mine,
he thought.
“So, you mentioned your line of work. What is it that you do, Mr. Mason? Or do you spend all of your time attempting to charm women back to your hotel room?”
He almost didn’t know how to respond.
Clearing his throat, he said, “I am actually the Executive Vice President of J.D. Everett and Associates.”
“And I’m assuming you expect me to know who that is?”
“We” he laughed, “are a real-estate development firm. We specialize in commercial real estate and land development.”
“So you don’t build residential homes?”
“No, not really. Mostly commercial properties, shopping centers, and hotels.
“That’s interesting. I’m actually surprised Keri didn’t opt to get married in a church, rather than this hotel.”
“I don’t do churches,” he chimed in.
She chuckled, “You aren’t the one getting married. What does you not ‘doing churches’ have to do with their wedding?”
He laughed, avoiding the question. “Jackson would have never agreed to it. So,” he took a sip of his drink, “we’re here. I like it a lot better here anyway.”
“Why do I feel like the next thing you are about to say is you built this hotel?”
He laughed, “I did,” he arrogantly noted.
She took a delicate sip of her Moscato and looked around the ballroom the reception was being held in.
“At least you have pretty good taste,” she said.
He looked at her with an obvious attraction in his gaze.
“I’d like to think so,” he flirted.
She picked up on it instantly, just as she had picked up on his intentions from the very beginning. Although she entertained the conversation, she was smart enough not to play fully into it. She clearly didn’t hide her bouts of flirtation, though, as she prepared to make her way back to her seat.
“Can I get you another drink?” Mason offered, seeing she was just about finished with her first.
Pondering his question, she smiled, giving him a peculiar look.
“You know, I find that very interesting,” she mentioned.
“What, that I offered you another drink?”
“No,” she paused, “that I now know your name, what you do for a living, and even where you work. And all you could think to ask me was if you could get me another drink. Not what I do for a living, or where I’m from, or anything that makes me appealing apart from the way I sip from this glass.”
Shocked, he didn’t know what to say. She looked at him and smiled, seemingly without offense.
“It’s okay, I’m not holding it against you… not yet, anyway.”
Is she flirting with me now?
he asked himself. This entire conversation had taken a dramatic turn and he was just about clueless as to what to say next. All he could do was lean back and smile.
“Well, Mason, I’m going to head back to my table, which happens to be full of the
bride’s
friends” she laughed. “It was a real pleasure to meet you. Maybe I’ll see you around.”
“The pleasure was all mine,” he insisted. “You still didn’t tell me your name.”
“Oh…so I’m that interesting that you actually want to know my name now?” she smiled. “Sydney. My name is Sydney.”
“
Sydney…
” He repeated, waiting for her last name.
“Just Sydney,” she clarified as she walked away.
Chapter 5
Okay ‘just Sydney’,
he said to himself. He watched her as she walked back to the table. He couldn’t recall a time he’d seen anyone more beautiful. But she was just that:
more beautiful.
Her petite model-size shape caused his eyes to travel her body as if they were coasting the curves of a roller coaster. She was only a few inches shorter than him. Her hair, a rich shade of dark mahogany, flowed like silk just past the brim of her shoulders, falling against a light caramel complexion and a body that looked soft to the touch. Her lips were full and inviting, and her eyes a deep brown melted you the very moment they made contact.
Something about this girl was different, and although she wasn’t as easy as most, he was attracted to her. Perhaps for that very reason. Maybe it was the challenge, maybe it was how different she was from Erika. Whatever it was, he was just now realizing he hadn’t given her his card for her to call him something he always did. The girls always seemed to like it, and to be honest, so did he. He loved making himself look more official and appealing by ending the conversation with,
here’s my card, give me a call.
Not this time, though; she seemed to have the drop on him from the very beginning. ‘
Just Sydney’,
he laughed to himself, walking back to the head table.
The day was finally coming to an end. The bouquet had been thrown, the garter had been tossed, and all of the photos had been taken. Jackson and Keri were standing near the doors hugging guests and shaking their hands as they were leaving. Mason honestly couldn’t wait to get home. As much as he may have enjoyed being there for his brother as his best man, he hated weddings, and since he wasn’t leaving with anyone this time he hated them even more. Looking around with not much else to do, he spotted Erika and her boyfriend Chris walking out of the hotel.
“Chris,” Mason shook his hand as they walked towards him. “I’m glad the two of you made it out.”
“The wedding was so beautiful,” Erika mentioned. “I really had a great time.”
If Chris didn’t pick up on her underlying tone, Mason surely did.
Chris knew the two of them had been friends for a long time, but he was entirely oblivious to anything else going on between them. To some, the quirky comments, quick glances, and both of them disappearing at the same time would have been enough to put two and two together, but not with Chris. He kissed Erika on the cheek and went to get the car, leaving the two of them in conversation.
“You’re really bold to pull that in front of him,” Mason said.
She looked off at Chris walking to the car,
“Chris is in love with me. You and I could be fully naked in the same room and he’d think it was an accident,” she laughed. “I’ll see you later?” she asked, preparing to walk to the car.
She waited for a response, but Mason gave none. In the midst of their conversation, he had toned out without her knowing, without him even knowing, and fixed his focus elsewhere.
Erika followed his eyes, looking off behind her, past the crowd of people, over to the taxi station. The woman she saw was pretty, petite, and extremely well put together; she almost even admired her outfit. She knew how Mason was, so she didn’t get upset at all. She leaned in and gave him a hug as Chris pulled the car around.
“Good luck with that one,” Erika whispered, lightly kissing him on his cheek.
By the look of her, Erika could tell she wasn’t his type. She was too put together, too neat. Mason was all about the one night experience; it was clear to her that this girl wasn’t. She bit the corner of her lip searching for something to say that wouldn’t make her seem jealous but enough to pull his attention back but it was too late. He had already made his way in the other direction.
Mason walked over to the taxi station before a cab arrived, thinking he still had a chance to close the deal with her. He enjoyed the ease of conversation at the bar, but he wasn’t going to lie to himself. She was sexy and he wanted to see and to know
more
of her.
“Sydney,
right?”
he called out.
She looked down at her watch without making eye contact with him. She had a smile on her face that was warm and inviting. What he wasn’t sure of was whether she was smiling for him or if she just smiled to smile. He tried to be his usual self, as he would with any other girl he intended to take back home with him.
“What, you’re not staying for the after party?” he joked.
She laughed.
“I have an early morning meeting tomorrow, so no, no after party for me.”
“You know, I have a car not too far from here. If you don’t mind I can take you wherever you need to go,” Mason offered.
“And knowing that, where I need to go is
home.
I don’t think that would be a good idea at all. Besides, we just met a few hours ago and technically you are still a stranger who knows very little about me.”
Mason laughed, feeling his chances dwindling by the second. He had never worked so hard to get a woman’s attention, but this one was giving him a run for his money.
“Well, tell you what,” Mason said, pulling out one of his business cards, attempting to make his last impression and woo her with his professional charm, “how about you give me a call and –”
Sydney took the card from his hand before he could finish as the taxi pulled up. He smiled, thinking he had her and his antics had finally worked, but he was confused when he saw her pull a pen from the small purse she had hanging from her shoulder. She flipped his card over to the reverse side and leaned against the roof of the cab. She wrote something down and handed the card back to him.
“How about
you
give me a call, and maybe we can have lunch sometime; work on this stranger thing.”
Instead of taking his number, she had given him hers instead. To most men this would have been okay, but not to Mason. It meant that he lost the upper hand and the ball was, in fact, now in his court.
She got into the cab without waiting to get a response from him as the driver put her luggage into the trunk and drove off. Even though she’d given her number, she didn’t really expect him to call. She knew his type. She’d been hit on by plenty of guys like Mason. Instead of playing to their tune she learned how to talk just as smooth, give just as much, and still walk away with her pride. In most of those cases, however, she never gave her phone number out. She’d be lying to herself if she didn’t admit that she found him extremely attractive, but guys like Mason are a type,
the
type, that she stayed away from.