Page 61 of Marc

“Everything will be. Something came up and you know I am never late for a meeting. I just need a couple of hours.”

He doesn’t answer.

I grow impatient and am about to hang up when he speaks.

“Fine. I can push the meeting back until ten. Do whatever needs to be done, but don’t be late.”

“I never am.”

Hanging up the phone, I place it on my end table and turn off my lamp.

Laying back, I feel riled up, like I could use a workout, but I need rest for tomorrow’s busy day.

I’m scheduled to have another shoot with Kelly and Adam, as well as my meeting. I should benervous about the meeting, but this is what I’ve been working my ass off for.

My hard work is finally paying off.

The door knob on my bedroom door jiggles before the door is pushed open.

“Marc, are you awake?”

Her voice is so soft and quiet.

I sit up slightly and rest my back against the headboard. “Yeah. I’m still awake. Are you ok?”

She hesitates. “I uh, I can’t sleep.”

Leaning over, I turn on the lamp on my end table. Staci has her head poked through the slightly open door.

“We can watch a movie in the living room if you want or I can whip us up something to eat.”

Staci slips into my bedroom and glances around at my simple furnishings. “Can I lay in here? I only feel safe when you are close by.”

My heart swells and makes me feel like a God, but the anger and hatred towards Jared boils up again.

I pull the covers back and pat the mattress beside me. “Of course you can.”

Staci looks down at her body and I can’t help but to allow my gaze to follow. My eyes skim over her tiny sleep shorts and her almost see through shirt.

“What’s the matter?” I ask, trying to scan her expression for any hint of what is bothering her.

She doesn’t look at me. Her gaze stays locked to the floor. “I think I should go.”

“Go where?”

“Back.”

I don’t have the patience for riddles right now.

“Back where?”

She whispers, “Home.”

Is she serious? After what we just had to deal with, she still wants to go back?

I try not to let the anger come through my tone.

“Why do you think you should go back home? Jared’s not afraid of breaking in or destroying your stuff when you aren’t there. He won’t hesitate when you are home and the next time could be much worse.”

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