Chapter 8

“You come here often?” Mason asked as they went outside to a happy Mandy.

“About two times a week. Otherwise I make my own coffee.”

From where they stood they could see down the street to the Embarcadero and beyond the ocean and the big Morro rock. They took a moment to just admire the view.

“I can see why you live here,” Mason said after a few minutes. “It’s gorgeous and laid back.”

“Definitely my style. I’m not much for the big city or much of a partier.”

Mason flinched but didn’t respond. He did start walking back in the direction they’d come.

“Come on, girl.”

When they’d returned to their houses, Mason paused at the bottom of his deck. “Have you got a television over there?”

“Uh, yeah.”

Mason sighed. “I don’t have one here.”

“Yeah,” John said, “I seem to recall that the couple who own this place weren’t much for television.”

“You could maybe invite me over later. For dinner. Maybe you could cook something for me.”