Page 48 of Our Broken Pieces
“Can I hug you?”
I turn my body toward her, pulling her to me. Her arms wrap around my waist, head on my chest, and she says, “Nothing you could say could scare me, prince.”
“Don’t be so sure, princess.” I give myself a moment of holding her body against mine, then release her. “I should get to bed.”
She nods. “Me, too.”
“Goodnight, G.”
“Night, Marcus.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Gigi
Marcus and I make it through the week, each day blurring into the next. I was proud of myself the morning after Situation Suck Face when I managed to maintain my composure around him. There’s something simmering beneath his exterior, something he’s careful to keep concealed. But I’m willing to dig deeper, to uncover what’s hidden behind those layers. I meant it when I said I’m not afraid of whatever he’s convinced is strange or terrible. We all carry our ghosts and wrestle with our demons, and I would never judge someone for theirs.
I’m in my robe, standing in front of my closet, staring at my wardrobe, trying to figure out what to wear to dinner. I know I have to dress more tamely to meet his parents, but the defiantpart of me says grab your leather skirt and Doc Marten boots. Fuck his dad.
There’s a knock at my door. “Come in.”
Marcus enters, bag in hand. “We’ll need to leave in about forty-five minutes.”
“Yup. Just trying to figure out what to wear.”
“I hope you don’t mind, but I thought I would help with that.” He extends the bag to me.
“You bought me clothes?” I take the bag and set it on the bed.
“I would never tell you how to dress. I love your style. But I wanted you to have something that could maybe be you, but a little more dressy.”
I dig in the bag, bringing out a black dress. I hold it up to my body, and it’s almost to my knees, with a flirty a-line shape. It has cap sleeves with a high neckline, and it almost has a fifties vibe to it. It’s perfect.
“This is so pretty, Marcus. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. There are shoes in there, too.”
I go back to the bag, bringing out the box with a label that I recognize, that I know is expensive. When I open it up, I find the most gorgeous pair of black studded heels. I catch a glimpse of the red sole, and my eyes shoot to him. “Marcus, these are absolutely beautiful.”
“I saw them and thought of you. Classy but a little spiky.” He grins maliciously.
“I am not spiky.” I swat at his arm. “Really, thank you so much. These must have cost a small fortune.”
“I just wanted you to feel good tonight.”
“It’s perfect. Thank you.”
He nods, turning to walk out of the room before pausing. “Don’t straighten your hair tonight. Wear your curls with your black ribbon.”
I freeze in place at the deep tone of his voice, and I look at him. “Okay.”
He smiles with satisfaction and walks out, closing the door behind him.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Marcus
“Do I look like wife material?”
