Page 96 of Love Marks

“I think…” She trails off and glances out the window to where Joe stands, in front of the grill, laughing. “I think I hadn’t forgiven him either until I met Joe. It’s like I didn’t know I was drowning until I met him and finally came up for air.

“You don’t ever have to forgive him. That’s your choice. But don’t ever let his mistake infect you. The best revenge is for you to be happy.” She brushes my hair back with a soft smile. “What do the kids say? Live your best life.”

I turn around and wrap my arms around her in a hug, not caring that my hands are still wet. She pulls back from the hug and looks back out the window. “As for tall, dark, and brooding…” She smiles and I follow her gaze to the backyard, where Greg’s daughters seem to be turning Wesley into a toilet paper mummy.

“Good luck.”

* * *

It takes us nearly an hour to escape my mother’s clutches once we announce we’re headed back to the city. She insists on packing me a hefty bag of leftovers despite my protests. Greg’s daughters are so enamored with Wesley that they cling onto his legs as we inch towards the front door, surrounded. Finally, hands clasped together, we shuffle out into the front yard, sighing in relief.

“Well. I thought we’d never make it out of there,” he jokes, shrugging into his jacket.

I shake my head. “I’m sorry. That was a lot. More than I was expecting—”

He reaches for my arm. “I’m kidding. Don’t apologize. I had a really great time.” He ducks down and brings his lips to mine, capturing me in a kiss that takes my breath away. My eyes flutter closed and my whole body feels lighter with his lips on mine.

“I’ve been dying to do that for hours,” he murmurs against my mouth.

I smirk. “I’ll have to get in line behind Greg’s daughters,” I chuckle. “I thought I had it bad for you, but those girls put me to shame.”

He leans back slightly, his eyes boring into mine. “Oh? You’ve got it bad for me?”

I freeze, realizing what I said, and force a laugh. “We should get going, huh? City traffic and all that!” I skip towards the car, keeping my voice light. Wesley chuckles darkly from behind me, and I know, somehow, without looking back at him, that his hand is rubbing the back of his neck.

We slide into the car and Wesley nods in Pete’s direction. “We’re headed back to Quinn’s place for a bit, then to my apartment in Dumbo. Can you call Federico and let him know we’re on the way?”

“Sure thing, boss.” Pete starts the car and Wesley walks us to the backseat and we both slide in. The dividend is still up and it’s quiet as we pull away from Joe’s house.

“Thanks again for coming with me. It kind of helped, having you by my side, and my mom just seemed good today. Happy.” My voice sounds wistful even to my ears and maybe Wesley notices as he slips his hand in mine.

“I can’t take credit for that, but I am glad to hear it.” He flips my hand over, running his thumb on the inside of my wrist. “It’s only fair. You’ve met my family, and now I’ve met yours.”

“It’s strange to think of them as my family,” I admit. “My mom said she’s staying there for the week to help Joe with some stuff. I just feel like…”

I look at the window, away from Wesley’s intense gaze, his open, steady expression. He circles my wrist again, as if he knows the small movement brings me comfort.

“Watching her in that house, with Joe’s family…she seemed so at peace. Like she’d finally come home. Found her place, or something.” I swallow the lump forming in my throat as my voice drops to a whisper. “I’m so selfish.”

Wesley gathers my hands in his and pulls me lightly, forcing me to look towards him. “Hey, hey. Why are you saying that?”

I swallow the tears threatening to spill over. “She’s my best friend. She’s all I have and now she’s found this big, wonderful family to be happy with and I’ll have no one.”

Wes pulls me closer, wrapping his arms around me in the warmest embrace. “So, I’m no one, then?” I groan against his chest, but he continues. “I’m serious. First of all, your mother isn’t going to up and abandon you just because she’s dating someone new. You know that.” He smooths my hair over with his hand. “And if somehow, by some stretch of the imagination, that happened, you wouldn’t be alone. I’d be there.”

Before I know what’s happening, he’s kissing me and oh god I never want him to stop. All my fears seem to melt away with his lips on mine and all I can feel is him and how wonderful it is to be in his arms. How right it feels.

I’m trembling as he pulls away and leans his forehead against mine, both of us gasping for air. I don’t realize we’re outside my house until the corners up his mouth tick up and he reaches for my hand.

“Come on.”

Chapter 38

Wesley

I follow Quinn up the stairs to her apartment, hiding a grimace. The last thing I want to do is act like a snob. I’m grateful that she’s letting me into this part of her life, meeting her family and showing me her home. Still, when we got out of the car and she told me the subway was a fifteen-minute walk, I couldn’t help but imagine her walking all that way in the middle of winter.

When we get to her apartment, she slides the key in the lock and jingles it for a few moments too long. She sends me a sidelong glance. “It hates me.”

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