Page 39 of Marc

“It looks just as good as it smells.” Marc adds.

We both opted for a surf and turf entrée with steamed broccoli and garlic mashed potatoes. Marcalso ordered us each a dessert. He ordered tiramisu for me and turtle cheesecake for him.

Breaking the silence, Marc asks, “How was your childhood? I know you said your family disowned you, but were things always like that?”

“No. I had a typical childhood. Both of my parents worked, so naturally my sister and I were best friends. We went on several family vacations during school breaks and always had a huge family dinner after church on Sundays.”

Sadness takes over as I think back to all the fun times we had as a family.

“We all got along great and never kept secrets from one another until things changed. Now, no one speaks to me, and I stopped trying to reach out to them.”

Those times are long gone. Now, I only have the memories. Sometimes I wish I could forget the past and forget how happy I once was, but I know remembering those joyous times will help me get back to living a normal life, despite being alone.

Marc looks at me with worry in his eyes. “Well, now you have me, and I promise not to disown you no matter what decisions you make.”

“Even if I teamed up with supervillains and took control of the entire world?” I ask, thinking of something so far-fetched that it causes me to giggle.

Marc chuckles before responding, “Yep. Even if you create a laser to shrink the moon.”

We spend a few minutes thinking of ridiculousscenarios of me trying to take over the world, like one of the childhood cartoons I used to watch.

“You can turn all electronic devices into robots that take over everyone’s mind. You would be able to control everyone. Well, everyone but me, because I will be your wingman and blindly follow you no matter what, so you wouldn’t have to control me with an electronic device.”

Marc smiles as he has given a lot of thought to this scenario.

“Hmm. I doubt I’ll ever do something like that.” I say while picturing Marc alongside me despite the horrible things our made up supervillain does.

“Of course, you wouldn’t, because you are too caring.” Marc lays his hand over mine.

The touch lights a fire in me that only he can extinguish. I’m going to need a cold shower if he keeps touching me tonight.

We eat the rest of our dinner and dessert and talk about the weekend ahead.

I just want to sleep and relax without worrying about nightmares or work.

“I want to lounge on the beach and just unplug for once. I’ll worry about editing the pictures at night when the sun goes down.”

“Count me in on lounging. I need to work on my tan.” He winks before adding, “I’ll need to add in a workout, maybe a swim or two as well.”

“You can work out, and I’ll watch.”

Along with every other woman that will be on the beach.

Marc gathers our empty plates, stacking them on the tray.

“Do you care if I jump in the shower? Or do you want to shower first?” He asks, while digging in his bag for his clothes and soap.

“You can jump in first. It’s going to take me a few minutes to get my stuff ready.”

Before I can grab my bag, he is already in the bathroom and starting the water.

His shower is incredibly fast. The bathroom is still steamy when I get in. I smile when I see the message he wrote on the bathroom mirror.

Enjoy.

That one word makes my mind wonder what he was referring to. My core tightens as my body jumps to what I want it to mean.

I take an equally fast and hot shower, get dressed, and brush my hair before opening the door. The steam escapes through the open bathroom door before disappearing.

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