Free Mason (Remington Ranch Book 1) (Contemporary Western Romance) by SJ McCoy Page A

Gina,” Liam frowned at her.
    Seriously? He was going to come down on Kaitlyn's side against her? Gina scowled at him. “I'm going to the ladies' room. Excuse me.”
    She pushed her way through the crowded bar and into the bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face and her wrists. She did need to calm down. She was wound up that things were going so badly with Liam, wound up at the thought that Mason would be here tonight. Wound up that she didn't know what she was doing anymore.
    Kaitlyn came in after her. “Sorry, Gina. I didn't mean to be rude about your home.”
    “That's okay. I'm a little tense. I shouldn't have snapped your head off. I'm sorry.”
    Kaitlyn smiled. “You probably have reason to be mad at me. I'm not being a very good friend, am I?”
    “I thought it was just me. What's going on, Kaitlyn?”
    “I hate to say it. But I don't want Liam to marry you.”
    Gina stared at her. “Why not?”
    “Because I don't think you're right for each other.”
    Gina couldn't believe this! “And what gives you the right to be the judge of that?”
    Kaitlyn smiled apologetically. “The fact that I've been in love with him for years. I've watched his girlfriends come and go and always known that they wouldn't stick around. I thought someday he'd realize that he and I are perfect for each other. I like you. I didn't think the two of you would last very long at all, you're so different. But once he started to get serious about marrying you I knew I had to let him know how I feel before it's too late.”
    Gina just stared. “So you're trying to come between us?”
    Kaitlyn nodded. “Why do you think Ian and I came along this weekend? I need to make it clear to Liam that you're all wrong for him, and that I'm all right.”
    Gina didn't know what to say.
    “I hope you don’t hate me, but I want to be honest with you. If I thought you truly loved him I don't think I'd be able to do this, but you don't, do you?”
    Gina swallowed. “Of course I do!”
    “Really? You see, Gina, I love him. I want to see him happy. I know what makes him happy. I don't want him to be any different than he already is. You do. You want him to care about the things that are important to you. You want him to show you more affection. You want him to be interested in your opinions. And we both know he isn't. You don't love him, you love who you want him to be.”
    “So what are you saying?” Gina's head was spinning, trying to make sense of it. Trying to deny the truth of it.
    “That I am making my move to get the man I love. I don't want you to hate me for it. And I'm saying you should take a long hard look at yourself and figure out what you want.” She turned around and walked back out leaving Gina staring after her.
    She let herself into one of the stalls and sat there dazed. It was true. She was always wishing that Liam was different. She didn't know what to think or what to do. Did she love him? Was Kaitlyn right, that she didn't love him at all? And how could she hate Kaitlyn if she loved Liam and always had? She sat there for a long time, confused by it all. She heard someone come in to the bathroom.
    “Gina?”
    “What, Kaitlyn?”
    “I think you should come out. Liam is getting worried that you've been gone so long.”
    She opened the stall door.
    “I'm sorry.”
    Gina shook her head. “Don't be. At least you're honest. But don't expect me to know what to say to you yet either.”
    Kaitlyn nodded and left.
     

Chapter Seven
     
    Mason watched their table from his perch at the bar. He'd been surprised when Shane had pointed out the fiancé. He'd expected a big guy, someone like himself. Gina had always joked that she needed a big man, a real man. This guy was more of a weedy city type. Not Gina's type at all. He was sitting there sipping a glass of wine, chatting with his friend, looking way too clean and primped to belong out here. Gina was nowhere to be seen.
    After a while, a blonde woman came and sat at the table. She