Page 22 of Our Broken Pieces
“I’m not high maintenance, Marcus.”
“I’m not saying that you are. What I’m talking about is the emotional bare minimum. You had too many doubts. He didn’t make you feel special.”
I pause because I don’t have a comeback for that one.
“Well, it’s over now. Single like a Pringle!” I throw my fist in the air.
Marcus smiles as he takes a sip from his mug. “Welcome to the club.”
We both drink our coffee, him on his laptop, me looking through the spa’s socials.
“I think I’m going to call out today. I told Sabrina to get her stuff from work at two. I don’t want to see her face.”
“Understandable. I already told my team I’m working from home today, in case you need help with anything.”
“Do you have a lot to do today?”
He shakes his head no. “I’m going to the gym in a bit, then a call at nine. Should have my inbox caught up before that.”
My hands hug my mug on the table. “Want to do something fun later?”
He eyes me. “Sure. But I’m not going to follow you around a bookstore for two hours holding a pile of dirty books.”
I roll my eyes. “That was one time. I had a coupon!”
“People were staring at me.”
“Let them.”
“I’ll be done with everything around eleven. Think about what you want to do.”
“Sounds good. Is it okay if I set up Ethel’s dishes here in the kitchen?”
He shuts his laptop, taking his coffee cup to the sink. “Of course. I’m going to go get ready. There’s coffee left if you want it. Just shut it off when you’re done.”
“Will do, captain.”
He walks up the stairs, and I swear I hear him say something about another nickname.
Chapter Fourteen
Marcus
Iwalk into the gym, and as I scan my fingerprint, the receptionist tells me good morning. I work out four days a week, so the employees all know me and always greet me by name. The gym lets me get stress out, clears my head and helps me keep up with the guys at work.
I stuff my backpack in a locker, grab my water bottle and a towel, and head to the weights. I start setting up my first set when a woman approaches me.
“How long until you’re done?”
I feel my brows pinch together. She had to have seen me setting my weight, just getting started. “About seven minutes.”
She checks her watch. “Okay, I call dibs when you’re finished.”
“If anyone comes over, I’ll let them know you’re next.”
She gives me a smile. “I wasn’t talking about the machine.”
“I’m not sure I know what you mean.”
