Page 98 of Risk
“What? I’m just saying she won’t have to work anymore if she bags you.”
“Actually, I plan to work no matter what.” I pluck a green bean off my plate and pop it into my mouth. “I like earning my money.”
“Yes, I’m sure. Daisy Red, isn’t it?”
“Ren.” I pluck another green bean and feed it to Mason.
He chews it with a wry smile on his face. It fills me with a stupid amount of pride.
Grace clears her throat. “Okay then.” She gets up and fusses with her long hair. “I’m going back over to my table.”
“Okay. It was lovely meeting you, Grace.”
Once she leaves, Gage starts the slow clap. “Well done, Leah.”
“She’s officially one of us now,” Landon says with pride, wiping a fake tear from his eye. “Our family is complete.”
Mason chuckles, his chest vibrating against my side. “Well, Grace tried.” He slides his hand up the back of my neck and tugs my hair, tipping my head back. Then he kisses me. “You did so good, Princess.”
“This feels awful.” My head is all mixed up. I wanted Grace to like me, but her attitude towards me was so ugly. “I acted like a bitch.”
“You only matched her energy.” Mason runs his hand up my thigh. “If she doesn’t want to be put in her place, she needs to drop her high and mighty attitude and eat some humble pie.”
“Speaking of pie. Our pizza’s here.” Landon gets up and heads out of the ballroom, returning a few minutes later with a stack of boxes and bags. “Time for some real food, guys.”
We dig into the pizza while Mason goes for a cheesesteak.
“We should just leave,” Kerrington says. “We’re being fake sitting here.”
“Nah, I want to dance first.” Landon stuffs a bunch of fries in his mouth. “I just need a partner.” Scanning the room, he narrows in on the direction Grace went in and leaves the table.
“He’s going to go poke the bear,” Gage warns.
We all turn and watch him swagger over to the Finch Family’s table. His hands are clasped behind his back as he talks with Grace, and then she’s up and following him to the dance floor.
Mason tugs my hair a little. “Want to dance, Princess?”
“Definitely.”
We make our way to the dance floor and Mason twirls me around. “I had to take ballroom dancing lessons in high school,” he explains. “Never thought I’d actually enjoy it, though.”
I spin into his chest and push away to twirl in the other direction. I have no clue what I’m doing. I’m just following his lead. “Well, it all depends on the partner. I think that goes for all aspects of life, don’t you?”
“Mmm hmmm.” He grins as I keep my posture stiff and straight when he slowly dips me. Mason gently presses a kiss on my neck again. Adrenaline and fizzy bubbles shoot through my bloodstream. Everything about this dance is what life is like with Mason. He leads, but I’m still the star. He alternates between fast and slow, always aware of what step to take next. His attention is solely fixed on me.
And he’s winging every bit of it.
“Marry me.” The words tumble out of my mouth. “Marry me, Mason Finch.”
He doesn’t miss a step as he guides me across the floor. “Aren’t I supposed to be asking you that question?”
“Says who?”
“Social norms.”
My stomach is a mass of butterflies. “Nothing about tonight is the typical ‘social norm’. Look around us.”
“I can’t,” he says, spinning us in a tight circle. “You’re all I see, Leah.”