“She’s always skeptical and thinks it’s her job to look out for me, when it’s really the other way around.”

I traced the rim of my mug with a finger. “It’s both of your jobs. You should look out for each other.” Chelsea and I had built that kind of bond growing up. An early warning system to avoid Dad when he was in a mood. Friendship when we were so cut off from most of the world. But when I started seeing Derek, it had faltered. For the first time, I’d wanted to reach for more, and Chelsea was too scared. Our relationship fracture had left room for Dad’s manipulations to take hold.

“You’re right. But she takes it a little too far. And she wasn’t exactly happy to learn I’d married someone she hadn’t met.”

I set my mug next to the lounge. “Mason, tell her the truth. That this is a favor. I don’t want this to come between you.”

He shook his head. “It’s not a good idea. I think it would make it worse.”

My stomach gave a healthy twist. The last thing I wanted was to create issues for Mason when he was giving me everything. I stiffened as something clicked into place. “She thinks I’m using you. After your money or something?”

Mason rubbed at the back of his neck. “She thinks everyone who comes into my life might have ulterior motives.”

And why wouldn’t she suspect me? We hadn’t signed a prenup or anything like that. No paperwork other than the marriage license had been signed at all. “Mason, why don’t I sign one of those…what do you call them? A prenup but after marriage?”

“A postnup. We don’t need one.”

“Why? I could try to take half of everything from you. Hell, maybe I like this house so much I could fight for it when we get divorced.”

His mouth curved. “I’m glad you like my place.”

“This isn’t funny.”

“It kind of is. Anna, I’ve seen you live your life for the past two years. How generous you are with your time and every resource at your fingertips. You don’t think I know you paid for that computer programming class Kristin’s daughter wanted to take but couldn’t afford? Or the hockey gear Greg needed to play safely? I see you. And I don’t think there’s a person I’d trust more.”