Page 34 of Best Man Speaking

And it’d been nothing other than a gigantic mistake.

Just like tonight.

Chapter Ten

Marcus

It would be a fair assessment to say I’d messed things up with Hallie significantly.

It would also be fair to say that being a sarcastic asshole after a rather spectacular make-out session might not have been the best idea I’ve ever had.

To the point that I’m in no way confused as to why I haven’t heard a single peep out of her.

I might not have been able to get the thought of Hallie out of my head, but the sound of her voice taking me down a peg or two is disturbingly absent. I’d been without her presence for nearly a decade, but somehow, after a single taste, it was like no time had passed at all.

It’s officially the end of the week, and I spent most of my time sitting around doing a whole lot of nothing other than going out on-site.

The practical side of building houses was where I’d started right after I’d left school. I’d needed the money and had been drawn in by the decent cash at the end of the week. But it wasn’tuntil I’d been offered training and a certification that all the dots had started to connect for me.

I like to build things, but I also love to fix them. To make something old new again.

I never wanted to get so busy in the office that I lost touch with the people outside, bringing my plans to life.

Apparently, though, more than one day of the boss on-site wearing a tool belt had put the staff, especially the apprentices, on edge. My project manager had kindly asked me to stop distracting his crew, and that was that.

I’d been kicked off my own site, landing me back behind a desk where procrastinating is way too easy.

Where daydreaming is way too easy.

My phone flashes with an incoming call, and I resign myself to a conversation of absolute avoidance with Julian. “Hello. Best man speaking.”

Considering the time of day, I can picture Jules still in his classroom, chair likely balanced on its two back legs. “Erica asked Hallie if she’d seen you about much since she moved in…”

“Oh yeah?” Look at me play vague.

“Hallie said she hadn’t, but considering what a toxic piece of shit you are, she’s likely to smell the rot if anything untoward befalls you at home.”

I choke on a laugh, a flare of excitement running through my veins.

Who knew being called a toxic piece of shit could have me smiling at my desk like this?

“Are you reading that verbatim from a text message?” I ask. “No, wait. Did Erica get it voice recorded? Can you send it to me?”

“What did you do, Marcus?” Julian asks with a groan. “Cause you sound way too happy about this.”

I’m the absolute worst.

“Well, it’s probably better we don’t get into it, but I can tell you she gave as good as she got.” My smile sticks around as I think about just how good we were together, finding a rhythm again after so long. I rub a hand over the back of my neck as it heats.

“I thought you said you wouldn’t cause issues,” Julian continues, blessedly unaware of the direction of my thoughts.

“Honestly, Jules, it wasn’t my intention. My mouth just ran away with itself.”

Which is the actual truth of it. A truth I’m going to have to open my mouth and admit to more than just my brother if I’m going to keep this wedding tracking along smoothly. I also selfishly wouldn’t mind more time with Hallie; getting her onside with me would be like hitting two birds with one stone. Hallie might’ve made it perfectly clear she doesn’t like me, that she doesn’t want to be around me. But our kiss? She hadn’t minded that at all.

“Well, are you going to fix it?” His irritation is palpable.

“Of course I am. It’s what I do, you know,” I reply confidently, leaning back in my plush office chair.

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