“Sometimes you like it that way,” he said in a low voice that sent flutters through me.

Shaking my head, I opened the envelope. After I pulled out a paper and scanned the print, I looked up at him in shock. “Tickets to see Wicked in New Orleans?”

“I thought you and Neely Kate could use a few days away from Fenton County drama. You can drive down to New Orleans, see the play, eat beignets, Christmas shop, and just relax and have some girl time. I’ve booked you a room at a nice hotel. With room service even.”

“Mason, I’ve never left Arkansas.”

“I know, sweetheart.” He gave me a soft smile and cupped my cheek. “Don’t you think it’s about time? You’re ready.”

“But without you?”

“You can do anything and everything you want. With or without me.”

Fear rooted in my chest. “Are you going to leave me?”

His eyes flew open in surprise. “No! How can you think that? I have to go to Little Rock for a few days, and I didn’t want you sitting here alone. So I checked with Ronnie to see if he was okay with Neely Kate going, and he thought it was a great idea too, especially since Neely Kate’s not working right now. He’s giving her the surprise today too.” My phone started to ring with Neely Kate’s ringtone, and he laughed. “We decided to give it to you girls at the same time, which is why I was so insistent you open it now.”

I grabbed the back of his head and kissed him.

“Aren’t you going to answer that?” he asked.

“It can wait.”

His arms tightened around my back. And as he kissed me, I wondered what Mason was going to do in Little Rock. But I’d figure that out later.

I had some shenanigans to attend to first.

THE END