Fifty-five

A loud thunk in the hatch has us both jump out of our skin. Mason's gaze finds mine and lets out a long string of curses under his breath at the interruption.

More hollow thunks follow in a sequence, and I already know who is visiting me, to my dismay and Mason's. Dissapointed, I throw my legs over the edge of the bed and pick up the discarded belt off the floor and throw it on the bed next to Mason.

" Make yourself presentable. It's Laira, " I say as I lower myself next to the hatch on the floor.

Plopping himself on the edge of the bed, he threads his belt through the loops while darkly glaring at me, " She lives here, you live here. You have all the time in the world to gossip. I get to see you once in a blue moon. I think I should have priority, " He whispers angrily as he rises from the bed and struts to the kitchenette.

" I won't be long," I say as I undo the latch and open the hatch. Laira's smiling face comes into view while I begin to lower the ladder.

" Lily," She beams overly enthusiastic. I smile back and look over my shoulder at Mason, who rolls his eyes at me but reprises to fix the knob on the cupboard door. Which also doesn't match. It's a good thing he is a successful businessman because he would be starving in a different profession.

Laira starts to climb up the ladder at the same time I begin to descend. When she notices, she frowns up at me, looking confused as hell.

Backing up the step that she took, Laira watches me with a keen eye, searching my expression for a clue. She will find none. A loud clatter rings above, and Laira's head snaps in the direction of the sound.

" Mason," She mouths wide-eyed, the shock registering with an intensity I didn't expect, and I nod.

The moment I climb the last rung of the ladder, she storms past me, and up the steps she goes, nimble as a cat, and I have no idea what the hell is going on.

Stunned, I stay there for a while and watch as Laira's ass sways left and right with each step she takes, before she disappears out of sight. I take a moment to give them some space, thinking that they have bussiness to discuss. After all, Mason is her boss.

" You worthless excuse of a man," Laira says angrily, and that is enough to spur me up the steps. I don't know what is going on, but judging by Laira's tone, it isn't good.

" Good afternoon to you, too, Miss Winters," Mason drawls lazily just as my head pokes through the hatch. Laira stomps her foot and points an acussatpry finger at Mason. Crap.

What the hell happened?

" I know what you did?" She says enigmaticaly, and I feel like I've landed on a strange new planet.

" Care to share with the group," Mason's demeanour doesn't change. He remains calm as a pillar of stone.

Laira's angry eyes find mine," How can you still be with him after what he has done?" I'm beyond confused. I have no idea what she is talking about. I'd have a better chance of solving a five thousand piece puzzle than figuring out what she is referring to.

" Ava is pregnant with his child. Did you know that? Morston is buzzing about the whole affair while he stays here cooped with you, running away from his fatherly responsibilities," Laira accuses, and Mason rolls his eyes.

" Says who?" He counters, already bored with this conversation.

" Ava," Laira answers immediately.

Mason heaves a heavy sigh, his eyes snap up to mine," I can't believe you made me give up dirty sex for this," He waves a hand at Laira who blushes furiously at the mention. But also provides an insight into what we were doing before the rude interruption.

We've done that before, but it's been a while. Alright, more than a while.

" What?" Laira whispers, flustered, and coveres her pink cheeks with her hands. Too late sister.

Mason turns, picks up the screwdriver, and reprises his mending as if nothing happened.

" We sort of know about Ava," I say sheepishly," I bumped into her the other day. It has been a long weekend," I say as a way of explaining.

" Miss Winters, a word of advice for next time. Before you go around and throw accusations left and right, make sure you have all the facts. I'd hate to have to look for a new engineer, since the one that currently works for me is absolutely magnificent, " Mason butt's in, and I can't say I care for the tone, but he is right to some extent.

" I apologise, Mr Kinnaird. I'm just trying to watch out for Lily. " Laira's justifies her reaction, and I can't help but swoon and love her even more.

" And that's why I haven't fired you on the spot," He grins at her over his shoulder," Good friends are hard to come by, and you have been an excellent friend to Lily. I'm grateful that you've been there for her. " He swings the cupboard door a few times to see how it closes and begins tidying up the counter while Laira blinks at him owleshly.

" Thank you....I think," She stutters, looking unsure how to proceed forward in the wake of a very awkward moment.

" Sit down," I wave at the small table, while Mason busies himself by putting the kettle on for us.

" I'll make us some tea since sex is out of the equation," He grumbles as he pulls mugs out of the cupboards for tea.

Laira and I settle at the table. she looks as comfortable as someone sitting on hot coals, but she will have to get used to having Mason around.

Laira catches sight of my fidgeting, her gaze lands on my ring bearing hand and raises her eyebrows in question. Curling my lips between my teeth, I remain silent. When Mason slides the cups of tea on the table, Laira follows the motion of his hand and then looks up at me in surprise, amazement, shock. I don't know.

She is a smart girl. She can put two and two together, and by the gasp that escapes her, she already has.