Read Online Misunderstanding Mason by Claire Ashgrove - Free Book Online Page A

busy with it.”
    As the fog of
sleep fled her brain, Kirstin steered her concentration on business. “Well,
actually, I need to speak to you about that.”
    “Oh? Do you
need something more from me? I thought the prototype would be enough, but if
you need details—”
    “No, it’s not
that.” Kirstin scratched the top of her head and yawned. “I have to outsource
the back end code. I’m not a developer. It will increase my cost, but as long
as that’s not an issue, I think we are on track.”
    Another laugh
slid from Lisa’s throat. “Just send me the bill, darling. Who did you hire?”
    Kirstin
cringed, already knowing where this conversation would lead. “Mason, actually.
You remember he worked on the spread briefly.”
    “I remember
the man didn’t have the good sense to appreciate the way you bent over
backwards for him.” Lisa let out a derisive snort. “He charged you for
work? When you’re practically married?”
    The gut-deep
instinct to defend Mason roared to life with such fury that Kirstin had to
clamp her teeth together to stop from telling Lisa where to go and how to get
there. Mason might be insensitive. His emotional communication skills might
make him a relative to a rock. But he’d never, ever , taken advantage of
Kirstin. Never failed to appreciate the things she did for him. She’d bent over
backwards because she wanted to. Because that’s just what people who were in
love did.
    Instead, she
took a deep breath and counted to ten. When she felt like she’d chained the
dragon inside her to a manageable level, she answered as coolly as she could,
“Mason and I have a professional arrangement, and yes, I’m paying him his usual
contract rate. If that’s a problem, Lisa—”
    “It’s no
problem.” Her voice shifted, exchanging her overtones of derision for smooth
amicability. “I’m sorry. I realize you love him, but you deserve so much more.
We’ve talked about this many times. My opinion hasn’t changed—I can’t stand the
way he treats you, and I certainly would never allow Tom to charge me for
anything. The man gets plenty as my husband—if you get my meaning.” A light
laugh drifted through the receiver.
    Soothed by
Lisa’s friendly manner, Kirstin released the remnants of her annoyance and
plucked at the quilt covering her lap. They had talked many times—more often
than not Lisa did the talking. She didn’t really need to know anything more
about Kirstin’s personal life, but if Kirstin remained silent, the next week
would be filled with snide remarks. Things she really didn’t need to hear any
more of. The first time around had been damaging enough, with Lisa’s
observations making it impossible to ignore the reality of her involvement with
Mason. Her status as a wallflower. Placeholder. Reliable source of comfort.
    “I’ve moved
out, Lisa. My relationship with Mason is strictly business.”
    “Oh,
darling.” Sympathy oozed through the line. “That must be terribly awkward.”
    Kirstin
shrugged. “I’m not a developer. Mason is, and I didn’t have other contacts.”
Doing her best to steer the conversation back to the job at hand, Kirstin
hurried to add, “His work is top of the line. I’m certain you’ll be pleased
with the final product.”
    “I have no
concerns about the quality. I just feel terrible that my project has put you in
an awkward position.” A shrill ring resounded over Lisa’s voice. “Oh, dang. My
secretary’s out today—that’s the office line. I’ll call you back, darling.”
    Before
Kirstin could stutter a surprised goodbye, the line went dead. She dropped the
phone in her lap, leaned back against the headboard, and let out a groan. The
last thing she wanted was Lisa’s pity. Now, she’d be lucky not to face a
personal inquisition every time Lisa phoned.
    Worse, that
busybody would probably try to set her up.
    Sighing,
Kirstin eased out of bed. She shouldn’t be so hard on Lisa. She meant well but
lacked tact. In her