Page 52 of Our Broken Pieces
“In my eyes, it is. I don’t owe that mean old man anything.”
The bartender stops to offer us another round. Marcus tells him no and hands him his card. “I wish it were that easy for me, princess.”
Once he’s finished with the tab, I loop my arm in his and lean my head on his shoulder. “How long has your dad been like this? Is he the same way with your brother?”
He lets out a long breath. “He’s always been like this. Even worse when I was younger. I took the brunt of it, I guess, so my brother didn’t have to.”
I squeeze his arm. “So, you’ve always been protective. Makes sense now.”
He doesn’t acknowledge my comment, instead saying, “Let’s get out of here. I already ordered a car; it’s almost here.”
I stand from my barstool, knowing the conversation is over. He’ll tell me more when he’s ready, and I’m okay with that. As we walk out of the restaurant, I loop my arm through his. We fit together so well it’s scary.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Marcus
“Marcus, Ms. Kelly is here to see you,” Grace announces from the doorway, her voice gentle but purposeful. I glance at my laptop screen. It’s 2:00 p.m.; Gigi should be at work. I look up and nod. “You can send her back.” Grace gives a brief nod and walks away. Moments later, a gentle knock breaks the silence, followed by Gigi’s warm smile.
“Hey, prince.” Her voice is playful, a spark lighting her eyes.
I stand, mirroring her grin. “Hey, G. I thought you were working today.”
She steps into the room, offering me a small paper bag. “I am, but I thought I’d bring my boyfriend a treat on my lunch break.”
Peeking inside, I see a frosted brownie. “A brownie?”
“Not just any brownie—aChocolate Orgasm Browniefrom Rosie’s,” she corrects, her eyes glinting with mischief.
“Sounds intense.”
“It’s amazing. Just make sure you’re alone when you eat it,” she teases. “You might make some... interesting sounds.”
I laugh, setting the bag on my desk and watching as she wanders around the room. Her fingers trail over my degree, the photos on the wall, pausing by the window to admire the view of downtown Boston. She glances back at me, a playful look in her eyes. “Fancy office, prince.”
“It does the job.” I shrug, trying to sound casual.
She moves closer, examining a framed photo of our whole group at Jax and Audrey’s wedding. “I have this same picture in my office at work.”
“I know—I noticed it when I fixed that door for you a while back,” I say, shrugging again. “I asked Audrey for a copy, too.”
She smirks. “Copycat.”
“We all look so happy in that photo,” I say, my gaze lingering on her image in the picture. She looked stunning that day, and it’s a memory I savor every time I look at it.
“We clean up alright,” she agrees, strolling back toward me.
“So, how much time do you have before you have to be back at work?”
“About thirty minutes. Why?”
“Just curious why you’d come all the way here for a brownie drop-off.”
Her eyes flash with a familiar gleam. “I only work ten minutes away, prince.”
She steps in close, standing between my legs. My laptop dings with a message. I glance at the screen. “My father’s dropping off paperwork.”
“Perfect.” She smirks, reaching up on her toes to wrap her arms around my neck and press her lips to mine. For a moment,I forget where I am. Her warmth, her breath soft against my skin, anchors me completely in this moment. I can’t help myself; I slide my hands to her waist, pulling her close. My mouth brushes hers, and she parts her lips with a soft sound, a sound that goes straight through me.
