Page 26 of Best Man Speaking

I hadn’t thought it would happen so quickly, but I’m already wishing to be back in Edinburgh, where I could snuggle up, safe, sane, and warm. Since I’ve arrived here, it seems to be one test after another, and I’ve yet to figure out if I’m passing or failing.

My needs and wants are simple: pack up my old belongings, finalize the sale of my gran’s house, and attend Erica and Jules’s wedding before flying my ass back home.

A light flicks across the backyard, and Marcus walks into his kitchen, holding his phone to his ear; he seems to be on it continuously.

Not that I’ve been trying to catch glimpses of him. If anything, it’s the opposite, but going through the belongings stacked up in my living space is Pandora’s box drawing me to him, to the tightly threaded tension still between us.

I love it, and I hate it, and I want it to go away.

I want it out of my system.

I crave the apathy I’ve worked so hard for and which seems to melt away in his presence, replaced by a twisting angst I remember all too well.

Sending me his two apprentices today made things worse. Now, not only do I feel like an ass for making such a big deal out of the help, but it also meant Marcus was aware I was in above my head to start with. That he still knows me well enough to understand I wouldn’t be finding this easy, that I would’ve been too stubborn to ask for help on my own.

I hate that.

I’m jolted out of my thoughts by the ping of my phone, indicating a message.

Marcus:Stop staring at me. Take a picture, it’ll last longer.

My eyes refocus on the window in front of me, where Marcus is very much aware of my presence. I’d assumed with my lights dimmed, I wouldn’t have been as noticeable. I’d obviously assumed wrong.

My phone pings again.

Marcus:Don’t worry, you weren’t drooling.

Hallie: I see you finally decided to use my number.

Marcus:Julian made me promise I wouldn’t send you any dick pics.

Hallie:That’s disgusting.

Marcus:I know, right? I thought so too. How rude of him to keep you from such an immense honor.

Hallie:Is there something you want, Marcus?

Marcus:Come over.

My brows rise in surprise. That’s not the request I’d been expecting.

Hallie:No.

To be fair, I thought I’d be getting a scolding about my shitty attitude earlier, but maybe he’s been waiting to let me have it in person.

Marcus:Hallie, I’m not going to bite. Unless you ask. We do, however, need a plan for our wedding duties.

Hallie:I have a plan. It includes emails and texts.

Marcus:Stop being a pain. You don’t want us to be the cause of any grief for Julian and Erica, do you?

He remains in front of his window, and I can feel his eyes on me.

It’s a simple yes-or-no question with only one true answer. This is why I like living so far away.

Hallie:Now?

Marcus:The sooner, the better. Quick and painless.

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