Embedded

Cold

Thea and Mason opened the door to his office to find Mason’s mother ensconced in his chair, her tanned hands tapping away at his keyboard with practiced efficiency. Her wispy gray hair was caught in a neat bun, and her glasses rested low on her nose. She glanced up at them and smiled, “Darling.” Thea skirted around the room, eyeing the woman warily as she sat down in her usual spot at the table.

Mason strode across the room, and his eyes narrowed as he approached her, “Why are you at my desk?”

“First,” she said, her voice quivering slightly as she rose from her chair, “your office is too cold. Second, I just wanted to know what cases you’re working on,” she wrapped her arms around herself as she spoke, trying to fend off the chill in the air.

Mason dropped into his chair and nervously tugged at his shirt collar as his mother moved to the front of his desk. His eyes, already filled with anger and flashed with accusation, “It’s called asking, not snooping through my things.”

Mason’s mother’s lips flattened into a thin line as her gaze met his. Her eyes, which had been filled with love and hope just a second before, now brimmed with disappointment. “I raised you better than this. I expect more from you,” she said, her voice heavy with disapproval.

“You expect….” Mason’s mouth fell open, and he stared in disbelief at his mother. His heavy brows knit together in concentration as he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. His gaze shifted to the corner of his desk, where a framed photo of his late father stood, and his lips pressed together in barely contained anger. He sighed in surrender and nodded slowly. “You’re right,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry.”

Thea watched, her stomach turning in a knot. Mason had transformed. He was no longer the confident, grown man she knew but a child again. His eyes were wide and watery, pleading for his mother’s approval. He hunched his shoulders and kept his gaze on the floor as if he were trying to become invisible. Thea wanted to reach out and stop him from shrinking away. To tell him none of this mattered, but she knew it did to him.

Mason looked up as the door to his office creaked open with a loud thud, and Addison burst in, her eyes wide and searching. She chewed her lower lip and blurted out, “Mom, did you call Dan?” Skidding to a stop, she anxiously awaited her mother’s response.

She looked into her daughter’s eyes with a deadpan expression, pushing back frustration that had been bubbling for weeks. “Yes, dear. You never listen to me when I suggest going to events, but I figured maybe your husband would have better luck convincing you.”

Thea saw Mason’s face twist with a range of emotions. His face shifted from one of sorrow to exasperation, but Addison’s expression was on the verge of rage, “You don’t EVER go behind my back like that again. Or you will never, and I mean never, see me again,” Addison seethed through gritted teeth, her fists clenching at her sides.

Their mother crossed her arms, her face the same stony expression she always had, “So, does that mean you and Dan are coming?” she said, not giving any acknowledgment of her feelings.

Addison barred her teeth, frowning as if staring at a stranger. She had been in this same situation so many times before, and if she was being honest, she didn’t need to hear any more of her mother’s words. It was like an endless, irritating tune that was stuck in her head. She wished with all her heart that it would all be different one day, but deep down, she knew that today wasn’t that day. With an exasperated breath, she reluctantly answered, “Yes, unfortunately, we will be there.”

Their mother’s eyes sparkled with delight as she clapped her hands together. “What bliss! The entire family will be together at the charity gala tomorrow night. That’ll really demonstrate our solidarity.” Then her eyes locked onto Mason’s, and she grinned. “It would be even better if you had a date, though.” She wiped away some dust from the top of his desk and then scrunched her nose in displeasure. “Addison is your little sister and has already been married for three years. When are you going to finally get your act together?”

Thea felt her heart sink as Mason was scorned for not having a romantic partner to take to the charity gala. Addison was with Dan and had someone there to support her, but Mason didn’t have anyone. She wanted to tell everyone Mason had her, but her courage failed her, and she stayed silent, her lips quirking into a frown.

He shifted his weight nervously and cleared his throat. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Thea sitting alone in the corner, her expression unreadable. He took a deep breath and said, “Actually, I do have a plus one. Thea, will you be my date tomorrow night?” His heart raced as he awaited her response.

Thea felt her heart skip a beat when Mason asked her to be his date. She was taken aback by the sudden request, but she couldn’t deny the twinkle in Mason’s eye. He stood there, confident in her response, “I would love to be your date, Mason,” Thea said softly.

Mason could feel the air in the room grow thick as his mother stepped closer, her eyes cold and calculating. She scrutinized Thea, lingering on the expensive leather shoes, silk scarf, and artfully arranged hair — all details she had missed before. Mason could almost see the cogs in his mother’s head turning as she tried to place Thea’s presence. Her voice was a razor-sharp contrast to its usual honeyed tones as she uttered the dreaded words, “Who is this?”