I'm sorry but this is directly tied to the chapter in Open Case File titled: An Important Dinner. It's the one where Mason meets Yvette's parents. You might need to reread to refresh yourself on it. Or don't, that's up to you. This picks up right where the one ends.

********************************

'Okay if that is really what you want and you're not simply afraid of letting someone get close'. The words echoed in Yvette's head as she watched the elevator doors close on Mason.

Chasing the echo of her own words were the ones he'd said before her: we need to break up.

Mason's kiss and promise to call her the next day told her he'd taken back the breakup.

But the effects on her were still there. Though she knew the ground hadn't been ripped out from her, that it remained solid beneath her feet, aspects of it felt shaky. It felt as if when she took a single step forward, she didn't know if the ground would be there or not.

Yvette remained leaning against her doorframe for support, staring at the metal doors of the elevator. When she felt certain she could detach herself from the doorframe, she pushed herself up. Finding her heart had calmed down and the ground was there, she turned into her apartment.

She closed the door, slipped out of her heels, and curled up on the edge of her couch. She stared out her window at the city of lights with the realization that she needed to address her emotions.

Starting with the beginning, she decided to unpack each emotion tied to Mason and give it a critical examination. They'd been dating for four months, it was the right time to step back and be analytical about it all.

As if she were doing a research paper on a famous structure, Yvette started at the bottom, dealing with the foundation. The foundation was always key to the strength of the structure, no matter how the top looked.

The foundation. If Yvette was being truthful with herself, she'd known Mason before he'd ever known her. A girlhood crush that had spanned years.

Now analyzing it from the view of an adult, she could see how Mason represented what she wished for in her life: respected, beloved by everyone, confident, and poised.

As one of the few Hispanic girls at her private high school, she felt on the outskirts at times, never fully appreciated for her intelligence or respected for simply being herself. She quickly learned how to navigate the world of high school, using her warm personality to win others over. But looking at Mason, she saw someone who didn't even have to try and people accepted him.

But then she'd met him. The illusion that she knew who he was had been destroyed. But in a way that made her see a real person, not a perfectly curated image.

As the First Son, he smiled often, laughed easily, and looked like he was everyone's friend. But as just the person Mason, it took time for his smile to make an appearance, and his laugh, though deep and rich, was rarely heard.

The real person Mason was someone without a shiny veneer, instead, he was rough edges with strands of gold hidden within him.

Her girlhood crush had vanished because she'd seen the reality of Mason and accepted that the image she'd had of him, when younger, had been an illusion.

Though she didn't know why he'd come back to the bar to talk to her, she'd gotten to know who Mason really was.

Or she got to know what he let her know.

As time progressed, she realized he shared himself in increments. And even with that slow of a pace, with each rough edge of him chipped away to reveal something behind, she felt herself giving him increments of her heart.

As she sat on her couch, she realized those increments had added up to the point where she wasn't sure if she could take her heart back.

Would he have too many pieces of it? If she asked him to give it back, would he?

Viewing her emotions, Yvette realized they were built on a foundation of the true Mason, but she wondered if that foundation was strong enough.

Leaning over, she snatched up her phone off the coffee table and sent a single message: Juice pops?

The reply came quickly and in the affirmative. Sinking back into the couch, Yvette waited. Knowing help was on the way, she let herself not think of organized columns of her emotions she visually saw laid out on the coffee table. Instead, she stared out the window watching as lights winked out.

The lock to her apartment clicked and Yvette looked to the door as Julio walked in. He eyed her position on the couch, curled into herself, and nodded. He shut the door and joined her, taking the opposite end of the couch, facing her with one leg bent in while the other hung over the edge.

Since they were kids, they'd been the two who'd snuck into the kitchen during family parties, in the dead of night, when everyone was asleep, or at least the other kids were and the adults were talking in another room. They'd stolen juice pops and eaten them while discussing the hardships of their lives. Though they didn't eat juice pops anymore, the signal had stayed.

"I take it tonight went really well?" Julio asked.

Yvette smiled a little, knowing with that question he knew a lot without her having to say it.

"Really well," she said.

Julio nodded, in a way that Yvette always thought as his Wise Old Man nod. It was slow while his expression was serious, ponderous, and all-knowing. As a lawyer, she imagined it was a comforting nod to his clients, who needed to feel that at least one person had all the answers.

"And he reacted to this good night by..."

"Saying we needed to break up."

Julio winced and Yvette laughed a little and rested her back against the couch, gazing up at her ceiling.

"He took it back," she said.

"Naturally," Julio said. "He's scared. Not stupid."

This made Yvette smile again. Leave it to Julio to sum up Mason in four words.

He was many things on top of those but at the core that's what she slowly discovered. Mason could portray himself to be the most calm and collected person on the planet. But beneath it all, he was scared.

Though Yvette knew there were things he was afraid of that she still didn't know, there were some she'd been able to sift out. The fear of getting close. The fear of not being able to get close. The fear of being himself. The fear of being himself and being rejected. The fear of people only knowing him because of his father. The fear of people not knowing him at all.

If there was one word for Mason, Yvette knew it was contradiction.

She imagined it was why it was hard for many or even anyone to get close to him. If you thought you knew one side, there was always another. And ultimately, a person only got as close to Mason as he wanted them to.

"The question isn't whether you love him or not," Julio said, his manner matter of fact. "Because we both know you do."

He raised his eyebrows as if asking her if she wanted to refute his statement. But Yvette only stared back at her cousin, knowing there was no denying what she'd spent the last hour coming to terms with. She loved Mason. She loved the real Mason she knew few ever got to know. But that wasn't what needed to be questioned, what needed to be questioned was whether she still could go forward.

Julio continued, their thoughts running the same path. "The question is whether you stay with him."

"Even though I'm in love with him?"

"Love is a wonderful thing. It's the vehicle that can take you far if it's the right one. Or it can lead you into a brick wall and a crash that will leave you completely destroyed."

"I know," Yvette said. She sighed heavily.

"I like him," Julio said. "I've never seen anyone win The Cousins over as quickly as Mason did. But that tells me he's someone who's had to win people over his entire life. That makes sense. I can't imagine being the First Son is an easy thing. The entire country, and a lot of the world, is constantly looking at him, expecting perfection. That's not something easily dealt with in life."

"He's been damaged by his life."

"I think so."

"Damaged enough you don't think it could last."

"Damaged enough that it's not a mindless thing you should walk into, in love or not."

Yvette nodded.

"It's been four months," Julio said. "That's not too long that if you got out, you'd be okay."

Yvette knew why so many people hired Julio, it wasn't only because he was a great lawyer, it was that he was honest with facts. He never tried to give false hope to people. He knew that a rough truth was better than pretty lies that cut deeper later on.

Four months with slowly falling in love with Mason. If she was okay, it would take a long time to get there. Falling for someone as complex, dynamic, and captivating as Mason wasn't an easy thing to fall out of.

"Thank you," Yvette said.

Julio stood and placed his hand on top of her head then ruffled her hair. "You'll know what to do, Chiquita."

Yvette knew what she wanted but that didn't feel the same as knowing what to do. But as Julio left and Yvette sat in the emptiness of her apartment, she felt there might be someone who could help that.

********

It was her day off and she'd only had one class in the morning, which meant she should have had hours to do whatever she wanted. It meant she should have been anywhere else besides the place she was, which was outside the FBI building.

The building looked similar enough to the ones around it that Yvette felt it shouldn't feel intimidating but it did. Maybe it was the size of it. Or maybe it was reality that it could hold a person's life inside it and that person might never know.

Already having made her decision, Yvette entered the building and walked up to the security desk. She made her request to the imposing man behind it but felt a sense of relief when he accepted it.

Smiling at him, she retreated to the other side of the atrium to wait. She'd counted all the cameras and mentally laid out their view, knowing there was no way around them, by the time the elevator dinged.

Yvette straightened when Carter stepped off and looked around.

Yvette lifted her hand and Carter spotted her. It helped Yvette not feel intimidated that she'd met Carter in a neutral place. Because watching her approach, wearing a suit, and walking with a strong stride, Carter looked slightly terrifying.

It wasn't that her manner was threatening, it was more that Yvette got the sense that Carter could do whatever she wanted and knew how to get away with it.

"Hey," Carter said, smiling. The terrifying exterior softened instantly. "You sure you're here to see me and not Mason?"

"I am. Do you have a bit of free time?"

Carter glanced at her watch, that she wore with the face resting on the inside of her wrist. Yvette wondered why she chose to wear it that way. Maybe it was more protected in a fight? It was something she wanted to ask but didn't want to get sidetracked.

"I have thirty minutes," Carter said. "Is that enough?"

"It will be. There's a coffee shop right down the block."

"Great."

Neither of them spoke as they walked but Yvette watched as the world was affected by Carter. Though Yvette found on busy sidewalks, like the one they walked, it was impossible not to bump into other people, Carter was never once touched.

Her resting face wasn't angry but something about her walk made people weave out of her way, even if they weren't fully conscious of it. This one trait, which wasn't even intentional but simply intrinsic to who Carter was, told Yvette exactly why she would be the one to come to.

With their coffee drinks, Yvette and Carter took a table, sitting across from each other.

"Did you know Mason talks about you?" Yvette said.

Carter made a face. "That's disturbing."

Yvette laughed because she knew Carter's reaction was close to what Mason's would be if she told them the same thing.

"In case," Carter said. "This is one of those conversations where you make your claim on Mason and tell me I have none, I'll stop you right here. I have no claim on Mason. I don't want one. And if anyone told me I had one on him, I'd sign him over to someone else. So you won't have to worry about me. Mason is nothing to me but a pain in the..." She stopped herself, looking at Yvette. "I'm sure Mason is a decent human around other people."

Yvette smiled. She knew the type of relationship Mason had with Carter. It was something she'd finally defined after a month of trying to make sense of it. They were unrelated siblings.

They'd annoy each other for the fun of it, but if one of them was hurt or needed the other, they'd be there for each other. But tell them this and they'd deny it with everything they had.

"I'm not worried about you and Mason," Yvette said.

"Good. I'm glad you're one of those rational people who uses logic instead of delusion to view a situation. Now what do you want to talk about?"

"You've known Mason since freshman year of high school, correct?"

"Unfortunately. We might have ended up better if we'd never crossed paths."

Yvette didn't agree with this. Everyone needed a sibling they could annoy to no end and know that they would still have their back at the end of the day. From what Yvette had inferred about Mason's life, from what he'd shared, Carter had been a friend. Even if it was in the strangest use of the term.

"I think he's said the same thing," Yvette said.

Carter made a face. "But yes, it's correct that I've known him too long. How can I use my trauma with Mason to help you?"

It took Yvette work not to smile. They truly were the oddest unrelated siblings she'd come across.

"Do you believe he can love?"

The mild amusement Carter had worn on her face sobered as she leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms.

"Ah. You want honesty?"

"Always."

Carter's lips quirked to the side a little with approval. "Mason can love. He would seem like he'd be the last person to love anyone but it's just because his exterior says he doesn't care. It's to protect a heart that can care too much and too easily. In his opinion. The real issue is Mason doesn't believe that he can be loved for being himself."

Yvette nodded slowly. That fit with what Yvette knew of Mason. It explained their first date and how he'd looked terrified she'd leave him just because he showed up in jeans and not a suit. It explained how when she'd told him she'd gone on a date with Just Mason, he looked like a little kid and a vulnerable man at the same time.

For most of his life, the world had loved an illusion, not the real Mason. How did one resolve that? How did he handle growing up and losing the position of First Son? In an instant, it would feel like the love of the world vanished. A love that, even if it wasn't for who he was, had been a constant for that time.

"Do you think he'll ever believe that I love him just because he's Mason and nothing else?"

Carter shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe. I'd hope so. But it would take time. This isn't a small issue to overcome."

"No. But I do, I do love him for being Mason, just Mason."

"Then you are a strong woman and one I will never fully understand."

Yvette laughed. Carter smiled but let it go.

"I think there's hope," Carter said. "I do."

"Why?"

"Because someone loved me enough for me to finally see that I deserved it."

Carter absentmindedly spun the engagement ring on her finger and Yvette accepted that hope. This, she knew, wasn't false hope because she knew what it would take and she was willing.

"I'm glad you have him," Yvette said.

Carter smiled, checked her watch, and stood. Without needing to ask anything, Yvette rose and the pair left the coffee shop.

"Can I ask you something?" Yvette asked.

"Sure. But better make it a lighter topic, we only have one minute till we reach the Bureau."

Yvette smiled. "Why do you wear your watch like that? Does it make it easier to protect during a fight?"

Carter glanced at her watch, as if she just noticed she wore it opposite to how most people wore theirs.

"No. It just makes it easier to check the time during a boring meeting without being obvious. Someone turning their wrist is noticeable but me shifting my wrist slightly is less so."

Yvette laughed. Somehow this fact made Carter feel more relatable, even with the knowledge that she was an FBI agent and could probably kill someone with her bare hands.

As they entered the building, the elevators dinged and a group of people walked off. Among them was Mason. He spoke to one of the older men in the group and detached himself from them.

"Owens, what lies are you telling my girlfriend?" Mason asked.

Carter smirked. "It's the truth that you have to be worried about. Those are worse than lies."

Easily ignoring Mason's glare, Carter waved to Yvette and strode off.

"Mason," one of the men from the group called out to him.

Mason waved to him but turned back to Yvette. "I want to ask what you were doing with Owens but I have to go. I was planning to call you when I got off but I might have to work late tonight."

Yvette kissed him. "Call me whenever you can."

"Mason."

Mason looked like he wanted to yell at the man but Yvette smiled at him, stealing his anger.

"You should get going," she said.

"I should. I'll call you. I promise."

He backed up a step but Yvette spoke, making him pause.

"Take your time, Mason. I'm here."

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HOLY NUGGETS!

You have no idea how close you were to not having a chapter this week. Like sooooo close! I mean so close that you should be sending me ice cream in thanks because you almost went a week without an update! You nearly escaped danger. That deserves a reward.

And no, your love isn't a good enough reward, I want ice cream.

Anyways before I continue to tell you how close you were to danger, tell me your thoughts on the chapter. 💬💭🗯️

I was honestly so brain dead this week from, you know, uprooting my entire life and moving it to another state. I honestly felt so bad thinking that I'd have nothing for you. Because as much as you love these chapters is the same amount I love giving them to you.

I even had a couple of chapters started but felt like I was wading through mud trying to write them. But then I thought of needing something completely new and thought of Yvette. I hadn't viewed the world through her eyes recently, so I thought: hey why not!

Then I thought of a conversation between her and Carter what that would be like. And luckily I was able to write this chapter all in one go! Which is a rare thing for me. It's I have a flow it takes two days at the least, a while week at the most.

So yeah, thank goodness for a wide world full of characters I can just jump over to, to get a sense of something new while still all being familiar!

If you don't have ice cream easily accessible to send then I will accept vote, comment, follow!

Shout out comments from Leaving For College.

LOGAN! Okay! Everyone you need to stop what you're doing and say hi to Logan!

She's legit been reading my books since the beginning of time!! Or for, you know, ever! No lie! I'd give her enough ice cream to drown herself in if she wanted it because I'm so grateful she's stuck with me this long!

So say hi! It makes my day when I see her pop up in my notifications with her vote!

I'm glad you can love both!

🙈 I never mean to make you cry. Though it is a bonus if I do.

Awww shucks! You're gonna make me blush ☺️

We all need a piece of Harrison's confidence.

It's decided! Mason is a cat who just wants to be loved.