Page 19 of Just Desserts in Pelican Point
I blink. “Marcus? He’s outside taking pictures of my building.”
“No. The guy,” she snaps. “The one with the knife. Did Marcus take him down like an Army Ranger, ninja, or what? You were robbed, Julie! We heard the whole thing from Melody at the diner. Delgado apparently came through the back like Rambo. You’ve got half of Pelican Point buzzing like angry bees.”
Sophie slips in behind Emma, her face pale. “Are you okay? Oh my god, Julie. Why didn’t you call one of us?”
Candace and Joselyn follow, shutting the door behind them and flipping the sign to CLOSED without a word. Sophie sets an open bottle of wine from Celtic Knot in front of me. “Drink. I figured you needed it.”
I laugh weakly. “Thanks.” I grip the bottle like it’s a life raft.
Sophie rounds the counter and gives me a hug that’s a little too tight. “We were terrified when we heard.”
“I’m okay,” I murmur, staring at the floor. “Mostly. I’m still a little shaky.”
“Shaky is allowed,” Joselyn says, sliding onto a stool beside me. “You had a knife to your throat.”
Emma’s eyes blaze. “So… did Marcus shoot the guy? Beat the shit out of him? Delgado said Marcus ‘handled it,’ which is basically code for ‘don’t ask, but it was awesome.’”
I huff a breath, equal parts laughter, and leftover adrenaline. “He didn’t shoot him. He talked him down. Sort of. Then Delgado came in through the back, the guy got distracted, and Marcus pulled me out of the way and pinned him before he could react.”
Emma grins. “So… ninja. Got it.”
“More like… terrifyingly calm protector mode. I’ve never seen someone move that fast. One second, I was about to pass out, the next he was there, and the guy was on the ground. And Marcus…” I pause, the emotion sneaking back into my voice, “Marcus hasn’t left my side since. Not once.”
The girls all go quiet.
It’s Sophie who speaks first, her voice soft. “He really cares about you.”
I nod slowly. “I think… I’m starting to realize that.”
Candace crosses her arms. “You know what’s wild? That man shows up for you like its instinct. That’s not just coffee and danish flirtation.”
“I don’t think I’m ready to label it,” I admit. “But today… it felt like more.”
There’s a beat of silence before Emma clears her throat. “Okay, but also… the way he barreled in like Captain America? I need details.”
I grin. “You just want to picture him in tactical gear.”
“Don’t act like I’m the only one.”
Laughter bubbles up around the bakery, and just like that, some of the fear loosens its grip on me.
Then the front door swings open again.
This time, it’s Marcus. He’s still in uniform, but his expression softens when he sees me surrounded by the girls. “Hey.”
I sit up straighter. “Hey.”
He lifts a hand, thumb hooked over his shoulder. “I’m gonna run home, change into jeans, grab my toolbox, and come back to get that security system installed.”
Emma squints. “Wait. You’re not just talking about calling a guy? You’re doing it yourself?”
Marcus shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Better that way. I know how I want it wired.”
Candace hums. “Hot.”
He ignores her, stepping close to me. “You sure you’re okay for an hour?”
I nod. “I’ve got backup.”
