Jocelyn sat at the bar of The Viggo talking to Mason in between customers. It was a typical Tuesday afternoon, which meant it was slow. As of late Mason had taken as much time off work as possible, but he was having trouble finding reliable staff, which was why he was working today. Jocelyn didn’t mind. It was funny to think about, but on occasion the bar felt like a second home; holding so many happy memories for them.
“All right. Let’s see those pictures,” Mason said, walking to her end of the bar, martini in hand. “I’ll trade you,” he said, placing the drink down in front of her.
Hesitantly, Jocelyn handed over the dozen photos. She’d recently had them developed and selected her favorites from their outings. She was surprised at how varied the photos were; metropolitan scenes were a beautiful contrast to the serene, scenic ones they took on the hike. There was also a special picture she’d added in as a surprise.
“Joss, these are amazing,” Mason said.
“Really?” she asked, studying him carefully as he flipped through more pictures, occasionally setting a picture off to the side.
Mason scoffed and grinned. “Of course, I mean it.”
“Hey, what’s this one?” He smiled, turning the picture he’d taken of them toward her, so she could see it.
“It’s one of my favorites,” she said sheepishly, feeling a blush hit her cheeks.
“Mine too.” Mason paused. “In fact, I’m keeping it.”
He set the stack of pictures down, only taking their picture as he headed over to a mixing station at the bar. She watched as he posted up the picture, so he could see it while working, but also in a spot so that it was visible to patrons. Jocelyn was a little embarrassed at the action, but that was Mason. He did things his way, and she loved that he was proud of their relationship.
“There. Now I have an original Jocelyn Nichols photo hanging in my bar. I think it classes up the joint.” He winked playfully.
“Oh, Mason. What am I going to do with you?”
“I have a few ideas.”
“Of course you do. But they’re going to have to wait. You promised to take me to the Grotto.”
“Fine.” He leaned over the bar, giving her a quick kiss. “I’m a little surprised that you haven’t been there before. They host a ton of events.”
“Nope. But I’m excited to take some pictures. I think my landscape pictures have turned out the best.”
“I think they all turned out amazing. In fact…” Mason paused. “I wanted to wait until I saw the pictures to bring this up, ya know, to make sure they were good enough.”
“Mason!” Jocelyn scolded playfully. But she was curious what he was up to now. He’d mentioned hanging some of her art work in the bar, other than the one he’d just hung up.
“Yo, Mase!” someone called from the end of the bar.
They both looked over to see Preston waving Mason down.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Sure.” Jocelyn nodded.
She tried not to stare at the men talking out of hearing range, but she was dying to know how they were getting along since the other night. They lived together, so she assumed they’d had to work it out, at least a little.
She, however, had ignored Taylin’s calls, but mistakenly answered a call from Rachel who was only calling to see why Jocelyn was ignoring Taylin. She shut the busybody, wannabe friend down quickly, and had since been better about answering her phone.
But she was curious now; if Mason had forgiven Preston, did that mean that Jocelyn needed to forgive Taylin? Maybe she had been calling to say she was coming around to the idea, but the fear that she wasn’t made Jocelyn’s heart sad. They had such a long history together, and she’d hoped it would be a long-lasting friendship.
Jocelyn tossed back what was left of her martini as she turned through the pictures that Mason had set in a separate pile, wondering if these might be his favorites.
“Neat photos.” Preston startled her as he picked up the other pile of photos still sitting on the bar, quietly flipping through them.
Jocelyn leaned slightly to the left around Preston, looking for Mason, only to see him mixing a drink for another customer. She wondered if he’d sent Preston down here or if this was on his own accord.
“Um. Thanks,” Jocelyn responded with a flat smile. She wanted to play nice, but she was suspicious of his motives.
“You’re probably wondering if Mason sent me down here.”
“No,” she answered, maybe a little too quickly.
Preston laughed, setting down the pictures. “Sure you are. But he didn’t. So, here’s the deal.”
Preston paused, shrugging his shoulders in a carefree way, and Jocelyn wasn’t sure she wanted to hear his spiel.
“I’m an asshole. Not because I acted like one last time I saw you, it’s just kind of who I am, and I don’t mind.”
Jocelyn rolled her eyes. This was a comment men made so that when they acted like an ass they could retort with ‘I told you I was a jerk’, putting it on you. It was a cop-out.
“As long as you’re good with it, I guess. It doesn’t mean I have to be. Do you have another point to make?”
Preston laughed again; laughing at her, and she didn’t like it one bit.
“Yeah, I have something else to say. I don’t get it. I mean, I see why Mason is attracted to you, but I don’t get the rest.”
Ugh. Jocelyn put on the strongest façade that she had been able to muster up, countering his lame comment about him being an ass, but this she did not want to hear. It only made her feel worse, and the last thing she wanted to do was become emotional in front of this guy.
“Thanks, Preston. Great talk.”
“That’s not all.” Preston reached his hand up, squeezing the back of his neck in a nervous manner. “I’ve realized that I don’t have to get it. It’s not my place. So, whatever you two decide is best for you, is your decision. And I’m going to try to do my best to keep my mouth shut about it. And…” He paused. “I hope we can both forget the other night and move past it. We should try to be friends, or at least friendly, for Mason’s sake.”
Jocelyn stared at the man, slack-jawed, trying to figure out if she’d heard him right. That must be the closest thing to an apology that Preston knew how to do, and to that she had no response.
“Hey, what are you two talking about?” Mason interrupted, giving Preston a friendly slap on the back.
“Nothing. Just checking out these photos. You’re right, they’re great.” Preston nodded. “But I gotta get going. I’ll see you guys around, right, Jocelyn?” He cocked his head, giving her a hopeful smile.
“You bet.” She nodded nervously.
Preston gave the counter a tap. “Great.”
And with that, he took off. Jocelyn let out a heavy breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. That was an interesting exchange to say the least. The biggest takeaway: for Mason’s sake. And if Preston could do that, so could she.
“You okay? I promise I didn’t send him down here.”
“No. Yeah. I’m fine.”
“So, what did he want?” Mason nodded back toward Preston.
Jocelyn scoffed. She didn’t feel right telling him everything his friend had said. Mason might not take too kindly to it. Especially the part where Preston said he didn’t get them.
“He just wanted to apologize for the other night and asked that we try to move past it and maybe even become friends, for your sake.”
“Preston, apologize? You don’t have to cover for him. If he was being rude to you, just tell me and I’ll set him straight.”
Of course you would. A large smile pulled across her face at the thought of Mason defending her honor.
“Well, that’s what happened.” She shrugged.
She tried to keep her composure as Mason pressed his lips together in a flat line, eyeing her suspiciously, trying to figure out if she was lying.
“If you say so.” He paused. “Finish your drink. I have something I want to show you.”
“The Grotto?”
“Nope. I have a surprise on the way.”