Perfect Song (Mason Creek Book 2) by Lauren Runow (christmas read aloud .txt) 📕

ice cream shop because, come on, I was a little girl, and they had yummy ice cream. Mom said it was exhausting, going there, because Hattie and her sister would corner her and tell her everything she didn’t want to know about everyone else.

Now, I’m starting to understand.

“He’s only staking claim on me because I’m allowing it.” I grin his way and love when he perks up slightly.

“Isn’t this a fun development? I’m sure your father is thrilled,” she says with a sarcastic tone.

I glance at Tucker, who lets out a huff as he drops his sandwich on his plate instead of taking a bite. The way he keeps his head down and his lips pursed show her words have rubbed him the wrong way.

I turn back to face her. “I’m a grown woman, so I’m not really worried about his thoughts right now.”

She pats my shoulder. “Sure you aren’t, dear. Well, you two enjoy your lunch. I’ll be seeing you around. Bye, Tucker.”

When she leaves, I meet eyes with Tucker, and his expression makes me laugh.

“What?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Nothing. I have a feeling I should be worried about your dad, but instead, I’m just falling for you more and more every time we hang out.”

I grin and want to tell him the feeling’s mutual but decide to hold back just a little bit.

Chapter Eight

Justine

When I exit my room the next morning, I see my mom sitting at our kitchen table, reading over the local newspaper.

I take a seat across from her. “Anything exciting in the newspaper this morning?”

She closes it and takes a breath. “Thank goodness it’s not in The MC Scoop online, but with this town, sometimes, it doesn’t need to be for news to spread.” She eyes me, and I get the feeling I’m not going to like this. “I heard from Shelly that she overheard Missy and Stacey having a conversation about you last night.”

I roll my eyes. Just hearing all of those names reminds me of what I don’t like about this town. Not only is everyone in everyone’s business, but it’s also I heard so and so and on and on, so no one really has the facts. It’s all hearsay.

“What is it this time?” I ask, annoyed. I had to deal with this in high school, and a lot of it was false.

“When you borrowed my car yesterday, was it to have lunch with Tucker?” she asks bluntly.

I nod, not trying to hide anything because there’s nothing to hide. I’m a grown woman. I can have lunch with whoever I want. “Is that a problem?”

“I just wonder what’s going on with you two.”

“I guess we’re spending time together. I’ve only known him for a few days, so we’re just feeling things out. Why?”

She purses her lips. “Don’t get me wrong; I don’t have any issues with him personally, but he’s quite a bit older than you.”

“We’ve already had this conversation.”

“Yes, but there are stories. Stories I’ve heard about him that I’m not really comfortable with when it comes to him dating my daughter.”

“Like what? He seems like a pretty nice guy.”

“You know he has a son, right?”

“Yes, actually, a lot of my friends have kids. When you were my age, you had a nine-year-old. If anything, I’m late to the game.”

She sighs, knowing I’m right. “I don’t want to be the person who puts ideas in your head about him. There are stories about things that happened between him and his ex-wife.“

“I’ve never heard of a divorce that wasn’t messy, especially if it involves kids,” I counter. “I have a few friends who have been through the worst ones imaginable, but that doesn’t mean they’re bad people.”

“Just be careful, okay? He has a past.”

“Yeah, and so do I. Remember? Should I be judged by my past?” I say defensively.

She places her hand over mine. “That’s totally different.”

“Is it really? I’m sure if anyone around here heard what actually happened in New York, I’d be the talk of the town. And how many times would that story change as it got through the gossip mill? By the time it spread to everyone, I’d be the one who caused it all, and people would believe I was to blame.”

This community is worse than the game of telephone that we played as kids. You can only believe a portion of what you hear sometimes.

“I just worry about you, is all. After what happened with Jimmy … ”

My eyes pop up to hers, daring her to say more.

She holds up her hands before picking back up her newspaper. “I know. Sorry. I didn’t mean to mention anything.”

I stand, picking up my mug as well. “You can’t judge me because of Jimmy, just like we shouldn’t judge Tucker by what you’ve heard. For all you know, it could be lies or stories that were changed so many times that they barely resemble the truth.”

I walk away, frustrated and needing my own space.

After I shower, I head to Java Jitters, wanting to get some work done and to clear my head from the conversation with my mom.

As I approach the counter, I notice someone I went to high school with, only she graduated a few years below me. I read her name tag, which says Jessie, and I instantly remember her last name is Phillips.

“Hi, Jessie. Remember me? I graduated a few years before you, but I think we had art together,” I say.

“Why, Justine Samson. I heard you were back in town, causing the rumor mill to fly about you and a certain guy.”

I drop my head back with a sigh. “I got an earful this morning from my mom. I take it, you heard I had lunch with Tucker yesterday?”

She laughs. “You know he’s the catch of the town. The one that no one can seem to snag. That is, until you come along.”

I shake my head with a chuckle, and then my mom’s words ring in my head. “How