Free Promises to Keep by Jane Green Page A

Mason to whom they come running.
    This is why he will never leave.
    He is in the office by six o’clock every morning, and home by six every night. He thanks the nanny, tells her she can leave, then gets down to the serious business of what to make the children for dinner.
    If Olivia is there, she insists on taking over, but it’s never for long. One cry, one raised voice, one meltdown, and she immediately hands them over to Mason, and they are his for the rest of the evening, or until they go out.
     
    “Jim? It’s Mason.”
    “Hey! I haven’t heard from you in ages. Where’ve you been?”
    “Busy as ever. I was wondering if you wanted to grab a beer tonight.”
    “Great. Usual place?”
    “Sounds good. Six?”
    “See you then.”
     
    O’Hanrahan’s is dark, crowded and loud. Mason pushes through the crowds to the bar, raising a hand and waving at the barman, who reaches over to shake his hand.
    “Haven’t seen you in an age,” he says. “How are ya?”
    “Busy, Declan,” Mason says. “Have you seen Jim?”
    “Down the other end. Pint of the usual?”
    Mason nods and shuffles through Manhattan’s chattering work-force, everyone delighting in letting off steam at the end of the day.
    Olivia has just returned from London, and tonight she is taking the kids to some charity tea party, hence his ability to meet Jim. They were college roommates, but don’t see each other much anymore. Once a month they try to meet up for a drink. It used to be several times a week, but Mason is busy with work and family, and Jim is busy chasing women.
    “Buddy!” Jim’s face lights up. He reaches over and they grip each other in the universal man hug.
    “You look good!” Mason steps back. “Have you been working out?”
    “No. You won’t believe it, but I think I’m finally in love.”
    “What? You? You’re quite right. I don’t believe it.”
    “I know. The eternal bachelor may be about to retire. Cheers!”
    “Cheers. So who’s the lucky girl?”
    “Françoise. She’s French. Came here as an au pair years ago, and stayed.”
    “Uh-oh. Years ago? She’s eighteen, isn’t she?”
    “I wish.” Jim grins. “She’s thirty-five.”
    “No! You’re kidding. A grown-up!”
    “I know. Who would have thought it?”
    “I thought your cutoff was twenty-five.”
    “It was, until I met Françoise.”
    “So what’s the secret?”
    Jim sips his beer and shrugs. “She gets me. And I get her. She’s independent, clever, hardworking. She wasn’t looking for a man and doesn’t want to get married. She loves me, but not in a needy way. She’s just . . . cool.”
    “That sounds great, Jim,” Mason says. “It’s about time the beast was tamed. But not marriage? She doesn’t want to get married?”
    “That’s the thing. She doesn’t want to and I do. For the first time in my life, I want to get married.”
    “There’s no rush,” Mason cautions. “Are you living together?”
    “She’s agreed to move in. That’s the first step.”
    “Marriage is a big commitment. You don’t want to make a mistake. Trust me. Get to know each other really well before you even think about marriage.”
    “Speaking of which, how are things with you?”
    “Two ships passing in the night,” Mason replies. “Same as always. Kids are great, though. You should see them.”
    “Maybe we should all get together,” Jim says. “Françoise and me, and you, the kids . . .” His voice trails off. “And Olivia, of course.”
    “That sounds great,” Mason says, knowing that it will never happen, at least not with Olivia there, for she has never approved of Jim, doesn’t approve, in fact, of any of his friends. “But with London looming, I don’t know if we’re going to be able to do it.”
    “Christ.” Jim hits his head. “I totally forgot. London. That’s huge.”
    “I know,” Mason says and sighs. “But I really don’t know if this is a good thing or not.”
     
    Mason gets home just after seven, stepping out