Katrina Johnson

How did I get myself into this situation? How did I move from pushing Mason away and keeping my distance, to this? Flying in to see my family was in my plans for weeks, but going to Mason's office? That was not part of the plan. Have lunch with him and go to Central Park? That was such a stupid thing to do. And to top it all I agreed to be friends with him! I mean why would I do that? He was trouble for my heart and I knew it. Instead of keeping my distance, I let him in!

While I was twirling in Central Park, a beautiful girl came over and called Mason's name. At first, I looked at her and groaned thinking 'How many gorgeous women does he know?' And I felt a bit jealous for a second even though I had no right to be, only to be introduced to her and find my jealousy was misplaced. That beautiful girl was the one and only Helena Walton, Mason's sister. She was so nice, bubbly, and welcoming, and that was exactly why I was in this particular situation.

Moving from being distant to a family dinner in just one day was a record for me. Upon hearing my name Helena became all excited like a little kid who just had a candy bar! Helena immediately hugged me with a squeal, giving away the fact that Mason probably told her about me. I thought it was sweet. She was so happy to see me that she invited us for dinner at her house and Mason said it was up to me.

And me? I couldn't say no to her. I couldn't say no to the puppy face she pulled on me when she felt that I was hesitating and looking for an excuse. At last, we promised her we'll go for dinner at 7. We spent a little more time in Central Park and I was freaking out! I did my best not to let it surface and keep my panic bottled up inside of me.

"Do you like the flower or would you prefer a heart?"

I looked up at Emily, Adam Yilmaz's daughter who was so excited to meet me and was trying to doll me up for dinner. She had put a bright red lipstick on my lips and a far too strong peachy blush, and now she was painting my nails.

"I like it, sweetie," I smiled at her wanting nothing but to go to the bathroom and wipe away the lipstick.

"Oh my God! What have you done to her beautiful face?" Helena came over and gave me tissues "Feel free to clean it up, you don't have to keep them on" She giggled "I'm sorry about that, she loves playing dress-up."

I laughed and nodded, "It's okay, I'll fix it in the bathroom. Is Mason back yet?" Mason received a call from his friend and had to leave for a while.

"No, but they are on their way, almost here." She said with a smile taking a seat facing me.

"They?" I asked with a raised brow.

"Emily, leave her alone, go eat your dinner and get to bed baby."

"Yes, mommy."

"She's beautiful." I looked at Emily as she packed her stuff and went to the kitchen.

"Thank you. She has her mom's eyes and hair."

"Who is coming with Mason? If you don't mind me asking?"

"Oh, just our usual gang, my cousin and her husband, her half brother and his wife."

"Oh, I see." I got on my feet "Where is your bathroom? I need to take this off" I gave a nervous chuckle.

"Hey don't worry, you'll love them I promise." She led the way to the bathroom and opened the door.

"I'm  not worried or nervous, don't get me wrong" I took a tissue and started cleaning my face "I'm just over-thinking things. I just don't understand how I moved from pushing him away to agreeing to be his friend and to meet his family and friends and all that in just half a day! Do you know what I mean? It's like... all these years I stayed away for nothing." I washed my hands trying not to meet her eyes in the mirror.

"Look, I'm not going to ask you why you're running from him constantly, it's none of my business and I respect you enough to stay out of your personal conflicts. But, I have to say, and I'm sorry if you don't like it. You like him, Katrina, as much as he likes you. Once you step out of that denial, that's when you'll be ready for him. But please, don't break my brother's heart. He's been through enough."

I turned around to face her and nodded with a smile. I would never break his heart, and that was precisely why I kept telling him and reminding him that we weren't good for each other. Mason was amazing, and I wouldn't dream of meeting someone like him again, but Helena was right, as long as I had those conflicts about who I was, I couldn't let him in.

"I'll go check on the twins, they should be asleep by now. Can you get the door?" She asked heading for the stairs.

I opened the door and saw Mason stepping out of his car laughing with his friend, behind him was a familiar woman I had seen before but couldn't place. Another car pulled up behind him and a gorgeous woman climbed out. She looked a little like Helena, same eyes, and similar lips. That must be her cousin.

"Yeah but remember when you went so crazy and stole that yacht? Your dad had to pick you up from the police station, he was so angry I thought he'll transform into Hulk!"

"Oh but that was awesome! The officer wanted me out of there just because Zachary Walton came in like a hurricane."

They burst into laughter again and mason shook his head before meeting my eyes.

"Kat!"He smiled walking up to the front door "This is Jason Harris and his wife Tara Webster."

"Tara Webster! I thought you looked familiar, I was at your art show six months ago in Boston! You're amazing." I smiled "Oh, Hi," I blushed a little seeing how they both looked at me.

"It's nice to meet you, Kat, Mason says great things about you."

Jason smiled extending a hand "And we finally meet the amazing runner." I frowned shaking his hand and Mason punched him in the shoulder. "I was kidding man!" Jason and Tara went inside just as Helena's cousin and who I assumed was her husband walked up to us.

"Hi, Katrina right?" I nodded and shook her hand "Forgive my brother for I'm sure was a jerk." She seemed tense but put on a smile for my sake "I'm Serena by the way, Mason's cousin, and this is my husband Kerem."

"It's okay." I smiled "Nice meeting you both."

"Likewise," Kerem said before they both headed inside and I was left alone with Mason.

"You blindsided me" I chuckled nervously. He had gotten rid of the tie and jacket and had his sleeves rolled up. He looked so devilishly hot like that.

"I didn't, Helena did." He smiled and stood in front of me toe to toe "We can leave at any time, Kat. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable, but I'm sure you'll love them."

I raised an eyebrow "Is there someone on this planet that doesn't know how long I've been running away from you?"

He laughed shaking his head as he wrapped an arm around my waist and led me inside "Come on friend, let's have some delicious dinner shall we?"

"Friend?" Serena laughed "Oh my, Mason, you've been friend-zoned. Way to go girl" She winked at me before turning to the others who were moving plates and dishes to the dining table "Hey guys! Mason has been friend-zoned for the first time in his life!"

"Leave them alone Serena" Adam Yilmaz walked into the dining room still in his suit obviously having just gotten back from work. He greeted everyone and came to me shaking my hand "Nice to see you again Miss Johnson."

"Call her Katrina Adam" Mason rolled his eyes and we laughed.

"Good evening Mr. Yilmaz."

"Hey! Drop the formalities guys, we are friends" Jason accentuated the word friends obviously teasing Mason.

I was shy at first and barely had anything on my plate when Adam noticed and started serving me a bit of everything. Dinner with them was fun and entertaining. Jason was Mason's best friend and he loved to tease him and embarrass him. He told us a few stories from when they were kids and we all laughed. Mason took the digs with open arms only stating he would be waking Jason up every day for a run.

Tara was nice and calm, unlike other artists I've met before. She kept looking between me and Mason with what I thought was an approving smile. I was wondering at first why but then remembered she was the one that opened Mason's eyes about Celine's cheating. It made me like her even more, it meant she had his best interest at heart.

Serena and Kerem seemed both tense, they barely spoke to each other but kept joking with the others around them. It seemed Helena noticed too because she kept staring at them and whispered at Serena a few times who didn't bother to answer.

As for Adam and I, we merely laughed at the others' jokes and didn't talk much. I was observing them and trying to get to know them. But Adam seemed to be elsewhere.

Mason looked at Adam with a raised brow "You're going to let them bully me all night? Where's the protective brother I had all my life?" He said sarcastically taking a sip of his wine.

"After what I witnessed today, I'm pretty sure you don't need protecting anymore Mason."  They shared a tense look making everyone fall into silence and stare at them.

"Is that a staring contest?" Helena broke the silence but no one answered. She looked at me "What happened today?"

I looked at her worrying my lower lip. I knew exactly what Adam was talking about but I didn't know if Mason would like me to talk about it. It wasn't my story to tell. And mason was obviously annoyed at Adam for bringing it up at dinner in front of everyone. I reached for his hand under the table and squeezed it gently.

He let out a sigh and looked at his friends "We had a visit from Celine."

"What!" they all exclaimed at the same time which was a little weird but funny.

"I think I should get another bottle" Tara got up and disappeared into the kitchen while Jason frowned at Mason.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"It just happened, she's been calling since this morning and I just ignored her, but then she showed up to the company wanting me to take her project."

"That's bullshit! She's got balls to show her face after what she did!" Serena seemed furious "I wish I was there to put her in her place!"

"You always liked to reprimand her" Helena spoke up for the first time.

Tara came back with an opened bottle and started pouring wine into everyone's glasses.

"I think we might need something stronger" Jason sighed leaning back in his seat.

I looked at them all, one by one, and saw the worry painted on their faces, the nervousness evident in their eyes. They were all looking at Mason anxiously. I loved how protective of him they were, I loved how this concerned them all and not just him. They were with Mason from the second it all began, they knew everything and wrote his story with him, they helped him through the dark times and they would certainly do it again. He wasn't alone. They weren't alone. They had each other and were united.

That is the meaning of real friendship...