Mason stopped reading and continued to stare at the article in front of him. He couldn’t even bring himself to look at the disappointment on the faces of the two women in front of him. Hell, he couldn’t even stand himself right this minute. How could he have been so utterly stupid? How could he have let himself get so caught up in the moment that he’d let all of their hard work go straight down the toilet because Lena O’Donnell had thrown one of her many temper tantrums? Closing his eyes he squeezed them tight thinking back to that night and how she’d cut him off at the knees in front of everyone, with little thought to what damage she may have or may not have been causing him and his own.

Sure, since then he’d hung out with her, laughed with her, come with her but right now he couldn’t even stand the thought of her. This was a huge mess and he’d really thought Peter fucking Ryder had overlooked the whole incident when he’d called him and asked him all about the menu. Stupid, he thought shaking his head then looking up at his girls. Yeah they were his girls. They’d been with him from the beginning of this whole endeavor and right now they were both looking at him like they wanted to punch him.

“I don’t know what to say.” he paused and put the magazine down rubbing a palm over his face. “I’m so incredibly sorry. What I did was inexcusable. I can see the ramifications of my actions and I’m horrified with myself. He called into question all the positive points of the article by wrapping it up with a negative.”

Rachel stood and walked around the table to stop beside him. He hung his head down and thought she might smack him one right in the back of it.

“Mason?” she questioned softly. He raised his head to meet her eyes. “You better be crazy about this doctor, or I’ll kill you for this.”

He winced. “I’m so angry at her and myself right now I don’t even want to think about her. I don’t know Rach, she brings out this side to me that makes me go all crazy.”

Quietly he heard Wendy say, “What did your dad use to say when he’d come in here?”

Mason looked up as she walked around and reached out putting a hand on his shoulder. She squeezed it gently seemingly back to not wanting him dead.

Mason chuckled softly. “I don’t know. He said a lot of things to me, some nice and wise and some not so nice but still wise.”

Wendy nodded, “I’m referring to when he’d see you with the latest girl. He’d always shake his head and say to us; That boy is to careless, goes from one to the next like they’re disposable. Mark my words when the right one comes along he’ll change, he wont be nearly as cavalier.That’s when he’ll finally be a man. I guess he was right huh?”

Mason reached up and squeezed her hand that was resting on his shoulder. “I don’t know about that Wendy, but I sure don’t feel like I usually do when I’m with her.”

Wendy tilted her head to the side and lifted her lips in a small smile, “In that case I’ll forgive you for acting like a jackass, but don’t think your new nickname around here isn’t going to be Casanova, lover boy.”

Mason winced at that then felt his shoulders relax as she leaned over and kissed his cheek.

“Don’t worry, even if the women flock to the restaurant in droves to meet you, they’re still paying customers.”

Rachel grinned at him. “Yeah and we all know women are suckers for cocktails from hot men and pastries to drown their sorrows.”

He felt himself laugh a little at that. “That’s a horrible assessment of a woman.”

Rachel rolled her eyes and stood, “Oh please I speak the truth. I’ve been there before and trust me I’ve tasted the bottom of a tequila bottle and eaten a tub of ice-cream, on my own. Us women know how to feel sorry for ourselves.”

Mason nodded and was about to stand to go back to his office.

“Actually speaking of reasons to drink and feel sorry for ourselves this article was pre-tt-y bad, sure you don’t want a gallon of rocky road?”

He stood up hugged his sister and smiled a little at Wendy, “Nah I’m good as long as you two still love me.”

Wendy grinned and Mason smiled as they both moved in to hug him. He heard Wendy whisper against his ear. “What woman could resist Casanova?”

They all cracked up and Mason looked down at them, “That’s never going away now is it?”

They both grinned at him and shook their heads. “Nope.”

All was right again, well in this part of his life anyway.


Wednesday rolled around and Lena was surprised to find she was disappointed she hadn’t heard from Mason. She didn’t really know what to expect but had figured after their day on Saturday he would’ve called her. While trying not to think about it she was also trying equally hard not to care, she was failing miserably on both counts. She’d vacillated between, he was busy with work to he was busy with family to finally, he’d got what he wanted and never wanted to see her again. Really what it came down to though was she was obsessing over a man. Something she’d never done in her whole life. Add to that he just happened to be one of the most sought after men in their city and she just felt like a complete loser groupie, instead of the professional doctor that she was.

Somehow, this man had worked his way past her defenses and deep inside to a place she usually kept under lock and key. In fact she’d let him in where no man had ever been, her heart. She wasn’t sure to what extent but she knew she was starting to feel something for him and that scared the shit out of her. She loved the way he never backed down when she was in a raging mood or how he’d cook for her and snap back with comments so witty it made her grin, and want to smack him while doing it, and that ability he had to walk away when she needed him to but not to stay away too long. Up until now that is. He’d stayed away to long and it was starting to drive her insane.

Walking down to the main cafeteria to get breakfast she saw the television in one of the waiting rooms flash up with a news story. Next to the local morning show reporter’s head flashed a picture of the gorgeous Mr. Langley. He was wearing a crisp blue button up shirt that was open at the neck. His hair was pushed back carelessly as though he’d ran his fingers through it and he was smiling at whoever had taken the photograph. It was an amazing photo. Under it was a caption that read, Entrepreneurial Chef or Professional Playboy? Lena’s eyes widened and she found herself walking into the waiting room to stand in front of the television. There were two other women sitting in the room and she heard one of them say.

“Oh playboy for sure. But look at those eyes, so handsome. Why wouldn’t he be?”

Lena winced a little, why wouldn’t he indeed. She waited for the story since the show had cut to commercial break and when it came back on she reached under and turned the volume up a little.

“Ok all you single ladies. We bring you a report today on our favorite local bachelor, Mason Langley. We all know the story of this handsome young man but it seems now the whole country is aware of it. It was reported recently in Delicious magazine that this Casanova is up for grabs and he actually has two mystery women out there vying to be next in line.”

Lena felt her whole body stiffen and she actually felt her jaw drop open as the reporter continued.

“Reports mention a ‘stunning red head and a buxom brunette’ were arguing over the smokin hot chef on Friday night at his restaurant, Exquisite. Now ladies, since we’ve just let the whole country in on one of our city’s best kept secrets you home town girls better hurry and snatch him up before he gets snagged by an outsider. Reports keep tossing around the number 34 like this should be the next lottery number you play however, sources confirm that this would be the number of women the hunky chef has dated looking for love. So come on ladies time to get down to Exquisite and see if you can stand the heat in the kitchen.”

Lena felt all the blood drain from her face and watched in complete horror as the show cut to commercial. Now it all started to make sense. No wonder he hadn’t called her he must be furious with her right now. Oh god, what on earth had she been thinking when she’d thrown that unforgivable fit of jealousy in his place of business? She would’ve had him castrated if he’d done that to her at the hospital. She turned and was walking to the door when she heard one of the women behind her.

“Heck if I was a little younger I’d be running down to that place myself.”

Lena closed her eyes took a breath and walked out of the room mortified. She quickly made her way back to her office completely ditching the idea of eating, and walked in shut her door and picked up the phone. She dialed his cell phone not really knowing what she’d say but when she got his voicemail she paused for a moment before continuing.

“Langley, ahh, hi it’s Dr O’Donnell. Lena.” she paused rolling her eyes at her own stupidity. She let out a deep sigh then continued, finding out for the first time in her life that she was horrible at groveling, and even worse at apologizing.

“I just saw a report on the television this morning about the restaurant. Actually it was more about you. They had a great picture of you on the report by the way.” she stopped and winced, “Listen I’m calling to tell you I’m sorry. I’m assuming that’s why you haven’t called me because you’re pissed off.” she stopped leaning back in her chair. “I don’t blame you, I’d be pissed off at me to. Let me tell you this though then I’ll leave you alone.”

Taking a deep breath she shut her eyes and took courage in both hands. “I didn’t want anyone in my life until you fought your way into it and I miss hearing from you, even if it is just to argue,.” she laughed a little at that, “and Mason? I want to be number 34. So pick me not the stunning redhead.” then with that she hung up the phone.