She Was Never Just the Billionaire’s Wife (Natasha and Chase) novel Chapter 161

(Natasha)

Mason arrives at half past seven with a bottle of wine and a face that tells me he’s already worked out why I called.

"You wanted to talk."

"I wanted to feed you first. I made pasta. Sit down."

Lily is asleep upstairs.

I know it’s not fair to unload all of this on him, but Mason is my best friend and the person I trust most in the entire world.

His opinion and advice matters to me.

We make small-talk first.

He asks about Lily.

I ask about Warren Global.

He tells me Eleanor invited him to lunch on Tuesday at the most expensive restaurant in town, ate exactly one bite of a monstrously over-priced salad, and made him pay for it before leaving abruptly.

I’m surprised to learn she’s back in town, but not by her actions.

After we clear the plates I take the bottle and two fresh glasses out to the porch.

He follows me without comment.

The porch swing creaks when Mason sits on it.

I sit in the chair opposite.

"Mason. I want him."

He doesn’t look surprised.

"I know."

"I want him so much I very nearly lost control on Saturday. I want him in a way I haven’t wanted anyone since I was twenty-three and we joined his company. I want him and I’m angry and terrified about it. I don’t know what to do."

Mason says nothing for a minute.

“Is this too hard? Would you rather I talk to Gloria about this?” I ask gently.

He gives me a look that tells me not to be stupid.

“You know I always want you to talk to me. Continue.”

"Lily is at her happiest when we’re both in the room. He walks in the door and her whole face lights up. He’s her father. She knows. She feels safest when we’re both around."

"Makes sense. He obviously wants to connect with you. What’s holding you back?"

"He finally remembered me, Mason. The first time we met when we were kids."

"Oh, wow. But you’ve wanted him to for years, haven’t you?"

“I… Yes, but I’m worried that he’s in love with the nine-year old version of me.”

Mason frowns at me and I try to explain.

"He fell for Sonia because she reminded him of the me he first met. Then he got to know her and she was nothing like that grave little girl. Now he wants me, but I’m not that girl anymore either. What if he realizes that and turns his back on me again?"

Mason shakes his head.

“First of all, Sonia is a massive bitch with the personality of a cobra. I never want you using her as a yard stick for measuring yourself again.”

I nearly choke on my wine as an unexpected laugh bursts out of me.

“Second of all. You have to tell Chase what’s scaring you. If he doesn’t want you because the enormously amazing person you are today, he’s an idiot.”

Mason grimaces.

“Don’t let my continued belief that he is, in fact, an idiot, stop you. I’m biased.”

The swing creaks as he shifts uncomfortably.

"You said you nearly lost control. How close was it?"

"Not all the way. But, close."

He looks down at his wine.

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