Moon God Mates

Chapter 11

IRIS’ POV:

“I don’t know, Ana, he’s just so... unpredictable.” I scrunch up my nose, attempting to explain my feelings to my best friend. “I mean, take this morning at the park. One minute I think he's interested; he shows up, and I swear he was going to K-I-S-S me.” I spell out the word and discreetly motion toward James, who's lying on the bed playing with his toy army men. “Then he just shuts down and runs off. It’s not like I'm desperate for a kiss, it’s just—”

Ana scoffs. “Right, he’s just freaking gorgeous as hell and built like a God. Of course, you don’t want him to kiss you.” I smack her arm, cutting her off before James hears too much. “Ana, shhh!” She just rolls her eyes in response.

“If he's anything like she described, he doesn’t want you,” my mom interjects from the doorway of my bedroom. “Up before the sun goes down,” Ana says, glancing at her watch. “That's new for you, Mary.”

Mary just rolls her eyes. These two have never gotten along. Come to think of it, my mom doesn’t like me much either.

“Do you need something? I have to get ready for work,” I ask, trying to break up the staring contest between my mom and best friend.

“I have a date tonight, won’t be back until late or maybe even tomorrow.”

“Okay?” I look at Mary with a quizzical expression. I am so thrown as to why she's telling me this. She goes out EVERY night without telling me, so why now?

She sneers, “Just don’t embarrass me later.”

What the heck is she talking about?

No, tell me she isn’t planning on coming to my job.

☾☾☾

James and I have dinner before I walk him next door to Ana's before heading off to work. It's pouring outside, so I know tonight will be slow. It's always slow when it's raining.

My anxiety is out of control as I try to focus on cleaning the bar since we have very few people here to serve. As much as I want to see Mason, I hope he doesn’t come in, not when Mary is planning to make an appearance. Whenever she shows up drunk, it's embarrassing enough; I do not want a guy that I like thrown into the mix. I pause mid table wipe and smile to myself. I think this is the first time I’ve admitted to myself that I like him.

“I’m heading out to this kegger. Are you good to close up?” Jay yells from the doorway as he throws on his coat.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” I don't bother looking at him as I move on to cleaning the displayed liquor bottles. It’s not like Jay helps with closing anyway.

“Hey Iris, close down early. You can meet me there if you’d like?”

I scrunch up my face and I’m thankful he can't see my reaction when I do. This isn’t the first time Jay has invited me out, and my answer has never changed. “No thanks, Jay. I’m not one for parties, I’m sorry.” I pause mid-wipe to turn to him, “But closing early would be great.” He doesn't immediately reply, “With the rain and all, I don't think we will have anyone else in.” I plead silently, I want to get out of here before Mary shows up.

Jay sighs. “Shut it down then,” he says as he makes his way to the door and yells over his shoulder, “But you owe me coffee next week!”

The door swings shut behind him, and I immediately start the close up duties. It's not long before I feel a presence behind me. “Did you just agree to a date with that guy?” The rough voice startles me; he sounds agitated, maybe even angry.

I turn to meet Mason's dark eyes, startled by his sudden presence. How did he get this close to me without making a sound? He is dripping from the rain, which only adds to his allure, making him even sexier.

“With Jay? No, definitely not.” Jay is not my type. Not that I even had a type; that was before I met Mason.

Mason seems to be contemplating my response, and it gives me the chance to get lost in his face. He has some stubble on his jaw, and he looks tired, like he has had a long day, but he is still so perfect. Water drips from his hair down past his lips, and I get lost in the moment. If I were to lean in just a little- “What about with me then?” he interrupts my thoughts.

“What?” I shake my head, realizing I was almost lost in the moment with him. I would have kissed him just now. I turn away from him, pick up a rag from beneath the counter, and start wiping a nonexistent spot from the bar top, giving it all of my concentration. My body is shaking with nerves, the usual thing that happens around Mason.

“What about a date with me, Iris?” I stop what I am doing, surprised by his question. Is the man of my dreams asking me on a date?

“You want to go on a date with me?” I face him, studying his eyes for any hint of insincerity. Mason's emotions seem to shift unpredictably, leaving me puzzled.

“Of course, I do.” He steps closer, bridging the gap between us.

I let out a sigh, involuntarily taking a step back. I regret the distance immediately, missing the warmth radiating from his body. “You’re just so hard to read; I don’t get it.”

“I'm sorry, I have never been very good at portraying my emotions,” he admits, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.

Screw it, screw it, screw it!

I feel like I have been waiting for this my whole life. What’s one date?

“I'll be done here in ten minutes if you would like to wait?” Mason’s smile makes me smile.

“Can I help?” He looks around the bar, appearing confused as if he’s searching for something to do. I chuckle, unsure if this man has ever cleaned a day in his life. Besides, I'm pretty much finished anyway.

“No, just have a seat. I'll be done shortly.”

He remains standing, seemingly hesitant to sit down until he grabs a rag and starts cleaning with me, we eventually finish and head out. I double-check the front door to ensure it's locked before scanning the pouring rain parking lot with Mason.

"Your car or mine?" I inquire, looking around, but I don't spot another car.

"I walked here; I wasn't expecting you to say yes," he responds, appearing nervous once more. I secretly revel in creating such a reaction from him. Despite the rain still pouring down, I notice that he's surprisingly not muddy. He must have walked here from the frat house, but in the rain? It's not a walkable distance, and I can't help but wonder how he managed to stay clean.

"Iris?" he says, interrupting my thoughts.

"I'm right over here," I guide Mason towards my old black Mustang—my fathers old black Mustang. Mason smoothly passes me and opens the driver's door for me to slide in, while my cheeks burn with a shy blush at his gesture. I can’t remember the last time I have had a door opened for me. Hell, I can't remember the last time I was into someone.

"Thank you," I murmur, closing my door as Mason rounds the car. My heart skips a beat when I catch a flash of blond at the front of the bar—Mary.

Shit... I turn on the car, and the moment Mason closes his door, I speed out of the parking lot before I can be seen. It's not until the bar is far from my rearview that I ease up on the gas, and I notice Mason's gaze fixed on me.

Reality hits, and I realize it's just the two of us alone. My palms become sweaty on the steering wheel. I clear my suddenly dry throat. "Where to?"