Now or Never Read Online Free PDF Page A

You don’t have to wait up for me.”
    “I want to. I miss you.”
    Her words brought a sweetness that even the sight of Sahara slinking off to the bathroom, yet again, couldn’t sour.
    “I miss you, too. Go get something to eat and I’ll see you later.” A quick kiss was all he had time for and Em wasn’t overly comfortable with public displays of affection, anyway.
    She waved over her shoulder as she slipped out the front door and he slid back behind the bar.

 
     
    Chapter Six
     
     
    Em
     
    Mason was waiting by a shiny silver Expedition she’d never seen before. The thing was massive and looked brand new. When he helped her up the tall step and into the cab, she realized it even smelled new.
    “Nice truck.”
    Mason climbed up beside her, grinning. “Thanks. It was an early birthday present.”
    “ When’s your birthday?”
    “Next month.”
    “Oh.” Was it rude to ask a guy how old they are? Now that she thought about it, she was really curious. He had one of those handsome baby faces that made him look about her age, but if she looked closer, he could have been older. And he seemed to work day shifts pretty often when kids her age should be in school. Then again, she wasn’t.
    “Nineteen.” His sudden proclamation snapped Em out of her thoughts.
    “Huh?”
    “You were wondering how old I’m turning. Nineteen.”
    “I was not.”
    “Don’t deny it. You totally were.” When she didn’t argue, he grinned and turned the ignition. “So, I know I’m not supposed to ask, but how old are you, anyway?”
    “Seventeen.”
    “And you’re living with Jay?” He turned right out of the parking lot and headed toward downtown.
    “I’m emancipated.”
    “Ah ha.”
    For several minutes, the only sounds were the soft rock lyrics flowing from the stereo system as they sat at a red light.
    “Are you sure that’s the best—?”
    “I don’t really want to talk about it.” This was exactly why she tried to keep her personal details pri vate, like age and living arrangements, but when you work with someone every day for months, they’re bound to notice things. All it did was lead to questions she didn’t want to answer and advice regarding a situation they knew nothing about.
    “Okay.” Mason agreed quickly and swiftly switched topics, unperturbed. “You should really have your own car, though. That way you wouldn’t have to come back out at night alone to pick Jay up when he works late.”
    “Jay wouldn’t let me go out alone at night. He’d have found a ride home.” Probably with Sahara. She would have been all too happy to have Jay all to herself in a moving vehicle where he couldn’t escape.
    “Either way, it would make it easier on both of you.”
    “That’s probably true. Maybe when we get some more money,” or any money, “saved up, we’ll look into it.”
    “My old car is just sitting in my garage collecting dust. If you’d like—”
    “Thanks, Mason, but I’m not sure that’s a great idea.” Jay wasn’t a fan of charity. And, he certainly wasn’t a fan of Mason. He tried to hide it, but she’d have to be blind not to notice.
    “I’m just trying to help, Em.”
    “I know you are. And, I appreciate it. Let me talk to Jay, all right? I’ll let you know.”
    “Okay, Em .” He sighed as he turned into the lot of Pizza Palace and pulled into a spot near the front door. “Whatever you want.”
    Em threw her door open before he could start acting like this was some kind of date, but was forced to accept his help in climbing down from the precarious metal step. Once she was on solid ground again, he released her hand immediately—for which, she was grateful—and she followed him through the door.
    Screaming children, blaring music, and all around chaos greeted them on the other side. Definitely not her kind of place.
    “Friday night!” Mason shouted above the ruckus with a shrug. “Sorry about that! I wasn’t thinking!”
    “It’s fine! Let’s just eat!”