Room for Two

Love Triangle

Mason and Bianca checked the table seating plan on the chalkboard and located their names. Mason kept his hand in the small of her back as they headed for their table, making the most of any opportunity to make intimate physical contact.

When they reached their table, it was already full with the usual suspects; Jamie and Jason, mutual friends who married and moved to the neighbouring town to start their own working farm, her sister-in-law, Dearne with her beautiful one year old, Charity, and Bianca’s younger brother Sam.

At Mason’s approach, Sam stood and came around to shake hands and slap him on the back. “Mason! Thank god someone fun at this table.” He grinned slyly, “What’s your poison mate?” He nodded his head towards the makeshift bar.

Mason grinned, Bianca’s younger brother was a little wild, but he’d keep an eye on him tonight and not let him get too out of hand. Bianca, on the other hand, certainly needed another drink to relax, she may as well be a telephone pole she was so stiff.

“Drinks everyone?” he queried to the table, memorising everyone’s order before heading to the bar with Sam.

When they returned to the table, Mason dispensed out the drinks among the table and took his place beside Bianca.

“What made you come back for the wedding Mason? Last I heard from Bianca you couldn’t get the time off?” queried Sam.

“I called him,” answered Dee. “After Rick the d**k,” she paused to cover her child’s ears, “Well anyway, I didn’t want Bianca to suffer through the wedding straight after a break up, they’re hard enough without everyone bringing up the devastation every 5 minutes or questioning your biological clock, so I asked Mason to make some room in his schedule.”

Despite the mortified look on Bianca’s face, she was grateful for Dee’s intrusion. She did need Mason here to help her. His coming home has taken all the limelight off her, thankfully. No wonder her brother loved Dee so much. Some may find her overbearing or nosey, but Dee’s heart was pure gold.

“So, you came home because Bianca got dumped… again?” Michael laughed, “You know if you came home every time Bianca got dumped, you’d never go to work right?”

Bianca clenched her fists under the table, tears stinging her eyes. Without breaking eye contact from Sam, Mason reached down and forcibly extracted her fingers before she pierced her skin with her long nails; nails he’d dreamt clawing down his back amidst the throws of hot passionate…. He shook his head, now is not the time! He placed his hand in hers, grateful looks couldn’t actually kill, or her brother would be 10 feet under already from the glare he was receiving, and tried his best to lightened the mood, “Well, someone had to come help her down the bar tab, and I certainly have plenty of experience in that area.” He grinned. “On that note, I think it’s time for a dance, can’t peek too early. Come on Bi.” he smiled at the group.

He led her towards the empty wooden dancefloor, and he pulled her in close. Laying her head to rest on his shoulder, she breathed out rough breath, the events of the day taxing, but he was proud of her soldiering through.  With one hand gently resting by her side, his opposite hand found hers and they began to sway along to ‘Amazed’ by Lonestar, Mason singing softly in her ear. His heart feeling  no truer words spoken.

Every time our eyes meet

This feeling inside me

Is almost more than I can take

Baby when you touch me

I can feel how much you love me

And it just blows me away

I've never been this close to anyone or anything

I can hear your thoughts

I can see your dreams

I don't know how you do what you do

I'm so in love with you

It just keeps getting better

I wanna spend the rest of my life

With you by my side

Forever and ever

Every little thing that you do

Baby I'm amazed by you

“He’s right you know.” Bianca whispered sadly. “You never would go back if you came home after every failed relationship.”

Mason was preparing to reply when she pulled back a little and looked him in the eyes, determination striking through, “But I’m not ready to give up. I know he’s out there somewhere, Mason. I just have to believe it will happen for me.”

“It will sweetheart. You never know, maybe he’s here tonight.” He smiled back gently, as his hand reached up to tuck a lose stand of hair behind her ear. She snuggled back in and he breathed in her perfume, wanting this moment to never end. Which usually meant in 3, 2, 1…

“Friends and family, could you all please stand in welcome for Mr and Mrs Williams!” their MC announced. It was like clockwork, every-darn-time. Mason swiftly led Bianca back to their table, clapping and remained standing as they charged their glasses forward watching the newly-weds make their entrance.

When the speeches were finished, the bride and groom began their first dance and it was like they were floating, it was clear everyone had disappeared and it was just the two of them, together in that moment. That’s the kind of love Mason wanted. The love he knew he could give Bianca. He looked over and watched her dreamily gaze after Matt. If only she could see he was right there, waiting for her to realise she was meant to be with him.

A dropped beer bottle by the bar broke Matt and Kadence’s spell and they waved for everyone to join them on the floor. Luke came over from the bridal table and took his wife Dearne and little Charity onto the floor and motioned for Mason and Bi to do the same. Swept up in the magic of the mood, Bianca grabbed his hand and wrapped her hands around the back of his neck but maintained a constant vigil for any cute guys that may be nearby. “So, who are we making jealous tonight?” Mason asked drily, but Bianca didn’t seem to notice his tone.

“Mmm… what about that guy just a few tables back in that hideous poo coloured shirt. I bet once it was off, he would be quite attractive.” She grinned saucily, her eyes raking up and down him.

“I bet his boyfriend thinks so too,” Mason muttered. Trying and failing to fight the hurt and disappointment in the pit of his stomach. When the song was over, they released each other and made their way back to the table.

“So, Mason, what’s been new with you? Any girlfriend we should know about?” Jamie wagged her eyebrows. Despite herself, Bianca paused mid drink, finding herself holding her breath as she waited for his answer.

And the interrogation begins, thought Mason. “Well, it just so happens I got a promotion last week, Jamie.” He fiddled with the label on his beer; he’d always preferred a bottle over a glass, as he was wrapped in a warm hug of congratulations from these people who were like his family. He was never good at receiving praise, just another genetic disability passed on by his father.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice you avoided the question about a girlfriend mister,” Jamie ribbed. “Which usually means a big fat yes!”

Bianca thought she was seeing things, was that actually a blush on Mason’s face? He does have a girlfriend! She was shocked by the disheartened feeling she got in knowing that answer, but then shook herself. She should be happy for him; he’s practically family anyway. It would be too weird even going there. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as he nervously shifter in his seat before he began to answer.

“Ah, no. No girlfriend at the moment.” Mason flicked his eyes towards Dee who had a knowing look in her eyes.

“But that’s not to say you haven’t got someone in mind looking as guilty as you did moments ago…” Jamie pried further with a grin.

“Come on hun, leave the poor man be.” Tried Jason, but Mason was expecting this questioning. When you get to your 30’s people start fretting you won’t ever get married and have kids and start trying to set you up on blind dates or marry you off to their sisters, cousins, or friend’s friend.

“It’s okay Jase. Yes Jamie, I have someone in mind,” his gaze remained firm on Jaime’s face but in his peripherals, he watched Bianca to gauge her reaction, and was disappointed with a big fat nothing, “she’s one of the best people I know and I’ll be doing everything in my power to make her see it and win her heart.” He looked back to Dee and was surprised to see tear moisten her eyes, her smile soft and hopeful.

As the night progressed, Mason started to water down Bianca’s rum and cokes. She was already starting to get bleary eyed and he didn’t know if he could stand to watch her flirt with poo-shirt much longer. He’ll have to take her home soon, hopefully minus the vomit. Love Triange