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

put a hand on the fiancé's shoulder and from the way he smiled at her, it seemed Shane was right and those two were a little too friendly. Mason bristled with indignation on Gina's behalf. How could he even notice another woman when he had Gina? What kind of asshole would mess around on her? The kind of asshole who wouldn't have her for much longer if he had anything to do with it. But where was she?
    Mason watched as the fiancé and his friends sat and chatted for a few minutes then fell silent. After sitting that way for a while, the guy started to look agitated. He said something to the blonde woman and she stood up again and headed for the ladies’ room. She came out a few minutes later and Gina followed shortly afterward. She was so beautiful. But she looked pale and shaken. What was going on? He wasn't going to wait any longer to find out. He turned to Shane. “Are you coming?”
    Shane grinned and nodded. “Let Operation Get Gina Back begin!”
    Chance got down from his stool. “No way I'm missing out on this. Let's go.”
    Mason pushed his way through the crowded bar. He shoved Shane in the back when he stopped to let a pretty redhead pass in front of him then crowded against her. She smiled up at him. Mason did not have time for Shane's flirting. He looked at the girl. “I'll send him to find you later, okay sweetheart?”
    She smiled at him and then Chance. “I hope you'll both be coming with him? I'm with my friends over in the corner.”
    Mason shook his head and pushed Shane forward.
    Chance stopped to talk to the girl a minute and then caught up with them.
    As they got closer to the table, Mason could sense the tension in the group sitting there. He had to wonder what was going on. Gina turned even paler when she saw them. The others looked up when Shane spoke.
    “Good evening, folks. How's the visit going?” He looked around the table, but Ian was the only one to smile. He turned to Gina. “I thought you'd be pleased to see some more old friends.” He gestured to Mason and Chance.
    She didn't say anything for a moment, just stared at Mason. He didn't know what was going on with her, but she certainly didn't look like the visit was going well.
    She visibly pulled herself together and then stood up with a smile. She surprised him by coming around the table to hug Chance. “It's so good to see you. It's been too long.” Then she turned to Mason and hugged him. It wasn't just a hug though, for a moment she clung to him. He closed his arms around her and struggled to let her go when she turned back to the others. “I'd like you to meet two of my oldest and dearest friends, Mason Remington and Chance Malone.”
    Mason tipped his hat at the blonde. He smiled at the other guy before turning a stony glare on the fiancé.
    Gina continued with the introductions. “This is Kaitlyn Jones and Ian Rawlings. They both work with my fiancé, Liam Woodford.”
    Mason couldn't help crushing the guy's hand when he shook it, then stared him down, waiting for him to speak. He sure as hell wasn't going to say it was nice to meet him. The guy stared back, looking like a rabbit in the headlights. Pussy!
    The silence lasted long enough to become awkward before Gina broke it. “It's great to see you guys. Maybe we'll catch up with you later, but Liam and I were about to dance.”
    She pulled the guy to his feet and they disappeared onto the crowded dance floor. The blonde chick and the other guy followed them. Mason shrugged and went to lean on the end of the bar to watch. He wasn't in a hurry.
    Shane passed him a fresh beer. “She sure didn't act like she hates you.”
    Mason nodded. The way she'd hugged him so tight had surprised him—in a good way. He might not be in a hurry, but he didn't intend to waste too much time before he followed up on that hug. The way she was dancing with the guy told him that things weren't good between them. He held her stiffly and she stared out over his shoulder. Mason smiled to himself.