Page 49 of Best Man Speaking

I implore my tired mind to hold on to this fact for me to think about tomorrow, that I had a place on this list at all.

I pull my sheets up higher on my chest, tired but forever curious. “Does it turn you on knowing I’d use you to get myself off?”

“I’ve been rock solid since you answered. Just the thought of you in bed tonight was enough, but the knowledge of you touching yourself, of using me to get yourself off…I think I’m going to take that into the shower with me.”

I’ve closed my eyes now, barriers down, after my confession. “Mmm, well, you have fun with that.”

“I will, Hallie. Good night.”

“Night, Marcus.”

With my lids still shut, I let my mind wander once more to the bar this evening and find myself back in the low lighting, weaving my way through the space until I spot him.

My body is attuned to his in some indescribable way.

He’s seated at the bar, chatting with the bartender, a charcoal suit jacket thrown over the back of his stool, his white shirtsleeves rolled up, exposing firm forearms.

My heart flutters, and instead of replaying this evening, I let myself picture what it would’ve been like in another life—me finishing up with work for the day and meeting Marcus for drinks before heading home together.

He, always early, would’ve already ordered me a glass of red wine, and I, not wanting to miss a second of us being together, wouldn’t ever be late. Maybe it would be a Friday thing, sometimes just us and sometimes with Erica and Julian.

Everything a younger and more hopeful version of myself could have ever wanted. My chest constricts, my throat tight and dry at the thought.

But then I think about how his eyes met mine tonight, about how his lips spread into the most stunning of smiles. I think of this ridiculous set of rules we’re most likely going to break.

Really, what we have now might not be so bad.

Chapter Fourteen

Marcus

Things that I’m thankful for but won’t be admitting to anytime soon: my brother setting up Hallie to stay in my guest house and the spectacular phone sex I’d had in said little brother’s spare room two nights ago.

This is somehow what my life has boiled down to over the last week. Hallie.

Not the charity.

Not my business.

Not work in general.

Not even the relationship I’d painstakingly repaired with my brother.

None of it. Just. Her.

Getting Hallie out of my system has somehow turned itself into a full-time job, one I’m apparently totally devoted to and am looking to get a promotion in. Luckily, she seems just as loath as I to admit the attraction between us is still so very lethal, and for that, I’m grateful. I might hate myself for it, but it eases my conscience to know she probably hates herself more.

None of this, however, stops me from leaving work early, my mind too full of other things to focus on what needs to be done. Instead, I find myself at First & Last, phone in hand, unable to decide who I want to speak to. The urge to call Julian is strong, except there’s the fact I have pretty dishonorable intentions with his best friend, and the simple thought of having Hallie on the phone after the other night is more than my brain can compute in a public space. There are no easy solutions for me, apparently.

Erica’s behind the counter, gesticulating enthusiastically as she chats with one of her staff members and the customer in front of them. It takes her a moment to notice me, but when she does, her happiness only seems to grow, her smile shifting to one of smug satisfaction. The atmosphere and environment in her café might be light and bright, but I’m no fool, and I can already tell she’s getting ready to hand my ass to me.

“Unusual to see you here in the middle of the day,” she comments as I move up to the front of the short line.

“I was distracted and decided it was time for a coffee break,” I reply, keeping myself as honest as possible.

Erica laughs, and clasping her hands in front of her chest, she asks innocently, “Does that distraction happen to be blond, hate you, and be in town for a limited time only?”

I raise a brow. “Do you still sell coffee here, or have you moved into the business of antagonizing customers as a permanent thing now? I’m not sure I’m up for paying for that particular service. As soon-to-be family, I figured I’d get that for free.”

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